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August 18, 2026THEECAMS.COM

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This Day in Aviation

1871

18 August 1871: Pénaud's Planophore Demonstrates Inherent Stability

On 18 August 1871, Charles-Alphonse Pénaud demonstrated the first inherently stable airplane at the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris. His model, the Planophore, flew 131 feet in 11 seconds before the Société de Navigation Aérienne. This rubber-band-powered aircraft weighed just 0.56 ounces and featured a pusher propeller. Pénaud's design achieved automatic equilibrium through dihedral wings and a horizontal stabilizer, allowing the model to self-correct its flight path without pilot intervention.

The Planophore's stability relied on the interplay between its forward center of gravity and rear rudder. As the model descended, increased speed raised the nose; if it climbed too high, reduced speed allowed gravity to pull it down. This created a sparrow-like ascent and descent pattern. Pénaud's twisted rubber band power source and stability features became standard in model aircraft design. Though he later designed a full-size plane, he died by suicide in 1880 at age thirty.

Trivia

1. What mechanism provided the Planophore with its automatic equilibrium during flight?

  1. A. A weighted tail that counterbalanced the propeller thrust
  2. B. The alternate action of the forward weight and rear rudder
  3. C. A mechanical gyroscope mounted in the fuselage
  4. D. Variable pitch blades on the two-bladed propeller
Show answer

B. The evidence states that equilibrium was maintained by the alternate action of the weight in front and the rudder behind the plane, causing ascents and descents like a sparrow.

2. Which crossword answer matches this clue: Narrow route through controlled airspace?

  1. A. TIME
  2. B. STAR
  3. C. LANE
  4. D. PER
Show answer

C. LANE is the matching crossword entry.

3. Which crossword answer matches this clue: Explosive prohibited from passenger baggage?

  1. A. ATC
  2. B. DECODERS
  3. C. ETE
  4. D. TNT
Show answer

D. TNT is the matching crossword entry.