Oldest airplane in the world still flying

All through the summer and fall of 2018, the 1909 French Bleriot airplane quietly made world history at a small grass air strip in New York’s Hudson Valley.

[@kcomst]

I don't get why every time they show it running, they muted the sound. We want to hear the engine!

[@billdurham8477]

Just search Old Rhinebeck.

[@kishascape]

Sounddddd sound where's the sound!

[@jfu5222]

The remark about "spindly wooden slats" is ridiculous. These planes were made of the finest material available. Every piece of wood was carefully selected, different species were used for their unique qualities, wire was flattened and doped linen was stretched over frames for aerodynamic flow. Engines rapidly and exponentially increased in power and reliability. Every aspect of airplanes were at the cutting edge of available technology.

[@PhantomP63]

Different kinds of wood were sometimes even used in the same part- one of the trickiest parts to restore on the F4U Corsair is the ailerons, which use about three different kinds of wood. But one has to admit that early aviation planes do look a bit… tenuous. Engines weren’t very powerful for their weight, air loads didn’t require incredible strength. There’s a reason human-powered planes have names like “Gossamer Condor”.

[@drpoundsign]

@@PhantomP63 WOW. Sort of like a Medieval/Native American Compound Bow??

[@scottfw7169]

@@jfu5222 So you are saying the remark about it being wooden is ridiculous? Now, granted, maybe with being a writer I have a deeper interest in words than does the typical member of the general public; use of 'spindly' is perfectly legit and would have likewise been at the time of the plane's construction since the word spindly from as far back as the 1850s conveys the sense of being long and slender, which the ribs, stringers, and longerons, of these early aircraft observably are.

[@jfu5222]

@@scottfw7169 In this context weakness is implied.

[@carpballet]

⁠@@scottfw7169 Spindly: (of a thing) thin and weak or insubstantial in construction Don’t be obtuse.

[@donloughrey1615]

Great old plane! I got to fly in a 1942 Stearman, what a thrill to fly upside down in an open cockpit. Kudos to the folks that keep this beautiful piece of history alive.

[@fordsrestorations970]

Gary Stearman is still alive and has his own KZbin faith-based prophecy program.... he really knows about technology and UFOs and much much more

[@yamkaw346]

@@fordsrestorations970Gary Stearman has absolutely no relation to Stearman aircraft. He is just a crazy old man that was born decades after the Stearman first flew. Lloyd Stearman is the pioneer behind the Stearman airplane.

[@user-it7lf7kk8m]

Remarkable how much aviation had advanced in only six years.

[@nzs316]

He mentioned that its difficult to get recertification! As if it had to be certified when it was built. Thank gosh that the system didn't crush these early innovators.

[@MadMomma-kj9ks]

certification? Go fly it.

[@nzs316]

@@MadMomma-kj9ks I’m x airforce, if it has an airfoil…I’d do a walk around!

[@jolla9963]

An aeroplane that pre dates any form of rule or regulation shouldn't need certification to fly. It is not as if the pilot would be taking passengers or travelling any real distance in flight. Just having it be able to fly and and land safely should suffice.

[@stevenshea990]

even today experimental or homebuilt aircraft don't need to go through the lengthy certification process for this very reason. They just can't be flown for commercial use

[@nzs316]

@@stevenshea990 … With ejectable door panels for a quick egress!

[@kentcostello5286]

I love to see old stuff still running and working.

[@MH-fb5kr]

I’ve been to Rhinebeck… the airplane does “fly” at about one foot altitude for a hundred yards distance. Probably too valuable to do a pattern around the field.

[@rickessegern1920]

I saw it at Rheinbeck, I think it made 10 feet altitude that day.

[@vaughnharris6404]

Ya think.. it is irreplaceable!!! It’s a crazy risk to fly it at all!!

[@harryjoe860]

@@vaughnharris6404it’s for the status of being the only flying one left

[@Michael-0000]

Interesting to note that Sir Thomas Sopwith who earned his pilots license in 1910, flew a Bleriot monoplane in 1911 winning an air derby. He of course went on to design and manufacture the Sopwith Camel, and in later years the Hawker Hurricane, and was involved in the development of the Hawker Harrier. So born in Victorian England, 15 years before the Wright Brothers Flyer became the first successful aircraft in the world, he flew Bleriots and lived to oversee the manufacture of the world’s first jump jet that played a key role in the Falklands war.

[@drpoundsign]

WOW. "I was Born in a Crossfire Hurricane." -First line from "Jumping Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones. (Referencing the Blitz.) The Earl of Sopwith lived a Long, Productive Life.

[@chrisbryant6707]

Sopwith Camel designer was Herbert Smith and Hawker Hurricane designer Sir Sidney Camm who was also chief designer or head of department for what became the Harrier jump jet through project P1127 and Kestrel 😉

[@andrew_owens7680]

When I was 11, Dave Fox convinced my dad to let me fly in an open cockpit trainer over Rhinebeck Aerodrome. I'll never forget that day.

[@stanleybest8833]

This Anzani Bleriot has been performing for Old Rhinebeck for decades. It is slow and graceful like a damselfly and exceptionally quiet for a motor with no muffler.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

A most gorgeous artifact of man's dream to fly; bless the 1909 Bleriot 11! I used to visit Rhinebeck Aerodrome decades ago when I lived in NYC; it was always a thrill to watch a flock of flying Fokkers flitting by... For those of you who are interested, look up a photo of the early 1916 Fokker Eindecker E-III to see a very similar looking craft to this Bleriot, made just a few years later during the war; the first aircraft to have mounted machine guns that fired through the spinning propeller using a synchronizing gear to keep the prop from being shot off! Then have a look at a Fokker D-VIII from 1918, built barely a decade later than this Bleriot, and you will see an aircraft that vaguely resembles a modern Cessna! The phenomenally rapid development of aircraft during the four years of WWI and the decade surrounding it, with its plethora of BiPlanes and TriPlanes, Zeppelins and such, is truly inspiring and breathtaking!

[@drpoundsign]

War lights a fire under the Aeronautical Engineers. World War Two saw an Aviation Revolution, Too. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, fighter jets topped out at 300 mph. By the End of that conflict, However, planes like the Mustang P-51 could do 500 mph...the Theoretical Limit of a propeller plane. Not to mention that Nazi Germany had a few working jet fighters, as well as a rocket plane(!)

[@justicesomeday]

I wish I could see what the airplanes looked like,that my grandgrandfather flew in 1912 for France...he was a aviator,cartographer......flew to Macedonia -------

[@aeromodeller1]

What airplanes did he fly? There is a lot of documentation online. Some are preserved in museums.

[@andrew_owens7680]

@@aeromodeller1 In 1912, you could ask, which AIRPLANE did he fly - not the model, but the serial number! I'll bet there weren't 2000 planes in the entire world at that time.

[@patricksmith3556]

i actually built a 13" wingspan, rubber band powered, true to scale model of this very airplane many years ago our of Balsa, Basswood, and tissue paper. I think it might have been based on the legendary Walt Mooney's famous peanut scale flying model model plans. That was about thirty years ago, when I was but a teen. It was by far my favorite model at the time. I had no idea this whole time that the original still existed, let alone is still airborne capable! Time to dig out those old Walt Mooney plans again... Better than that? I really want to see this beauty in person!-

[@scottfw7169]

Gotta love stick and tissue freeflight. 🛩 There is actual beauty in the flight of those models.

[@ColinMill1]

The Shuttleworth Bleriot is back in flying condition again so back to #2 again.

[@alvexok5523]

The Shuttleworth Bleriot is a very old aeroplane, but the Wright Bros. 1903 Kittyhawk age of flight debut aeroplane is the world's oldest of all

[@ColinMill1]

@@alvexok5523 sure, but is it considered airworthy at the moment as this is part of the consideration in this case?

[@Eidolon1andOnly]

​@@alvexok5523The qualifier is *flying condition.* The Wright plane is not in such a state, despite being older.

[@travelbugse2829]

@@Eidolon1andOnly I wonder what happened to the descendant of Louis Bleriot who tried to fly one in the 1990s (I think), and the machine. Either there was not enough power or the pilot was too heavy. I recall seeing a TV programme that showed his attempt to fly one (probably a replica) and as soon as he attempted a modest turn it lost height and he did a forced landing.

[@Straight_Outta_Hopton]

It used to belong to a distant relative of mine, he gave it to richard shuttleworth for free! He bought it at a scrapyard in london, towed it home to ampthill behind his car, repaired it, flew it a bit then gave it away. What a numpty.

[@willarddevoe5893]

I've seen it. 30 HP came before the mass produced Anzani 35 HP from France. Many early aircraft engines are quite smooth and durable. It was originally covered with down ticking and banana oil varnish mix and stitched with silk ribbon. The Bleriot is extra efficient in producing pound lift from small horsepower. It has a drive on drive off landing gear.

[@eyestoenvy]

A duplicate should definitely be in order here, with a stronger yet similarly built engine powering it ....

[@deck614]

Yes and some duplicates fly in France (La Ferté Alais meeting) and elsewhere (the Blériot 11 was sold woldwide)

[@user-wo2iw3kt8o]

This is so awsome. I've been a private pilot since 1991. 😊

[@drpoundsign]

What is Fascinating to ME is that this is a Monoplane. Not only the Wright Gliders, but also, the majority of planes in the First World War were Biplanes and Triplanes. Wood spar wings covered with doped fabric generally weren't strong enough for that. I visited the Aviation Museum in DC, and the metal planes used corrugated metal-to increase strength, while keeping weight down.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

It was Louis Bleriot who first came up with the airplane configuration that's so familiar today. Engine up front, wing, fuselage, tail sction.

[@CoreyChambersLA]

Great work!!

[@montanadad2223]

I own two 1909 steam tractors, which are impressive.... But this is cool!!!

[@MiddleIrvington]

I visited the Rhinebeck Aerodrome and saw the Bleriot fly several years ago. What an honor!

[@rb67mustang]

When this video began, I guessed that it must be Old Rhienbeck Aerodrome in NY. My uncle took me to see the air show at Rhienbeck Aerodrome many times when I was young. I became interested in WW-I airplanes and small airplanes in general. Although I never never learned to fly, I still enjoy going to airshows.

[@zzy11188]

I sure remember this plane. Been to Rhinebeck three times, and got to see and hear Mr. Cole Palin too.

[@realvanman1]

I would've loved to hear it!

[@stigbengtsson7026]

We had 2 persons here in Landskrona Sweden Oskar Ask and Hjalmar Nyrop who buildt a Blerio XI 1910, but it was not an easy task to get it up in the sky, but I think in the autum of 1910 a Danish aviator made it. It became the first Swedish made flying airplane. A cuple of years later Enoch Thulin started to build airplanes here to. That was the start of the airplane industries here in Sweden.

[@StephenRansom47]

😯… WoW I’ve been to Rhinebeck, saw the Red Baron’s Tri-Wing WAY back in the day … maybe late 70s. BRAVO 🎉 to the old gal.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

I'd tell the Rhinebeck folks (I was there last in the mid-1970s) "Go ahead and fly that Bleriot carefully until you can't fly it anymore, then put it away in a museum. Let as many people enjoy it as possible while you can."

[@agentyellow_1328]

plane: literlly off the ground for 2 secs news: NOW YOU SEE WE HAVE THE OLDEST PLANE EVER TO FLY IN THE US!

[@peacebewu]

Well it's not wrong. And they explicitly say it's only a few feet.

[@jasras5003]

It flew regardless. It's a priceless piece of history. I guess they should've taken it above the tree lines for some aerobatics.... It would be like taking the oldest car still running and driving it in L.A. traffic. Also, they didn't say they have the oldest plane to ever fly in the US lol. It's the oldest airplane in the world still flying. Are you like the Karen of airspace?

[@agentyellow_1328]

@@jasras5003 i am

[@jasras5003]

@@agentyellow_1328 K well I didn't know so I apologize and voted you up. You could've lead with that.

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

No, you might have the oldest plane STILL IN EXISTENCE to fly in the US. But how much of it has had to be replaced over that time, I'm curious.

[@steveperry1344]

i remember this from the airplane books i had when i was a kid about 1960.

[@morgangallowglass8668]

Beautiful!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Great video...👍

[@pcka12]

The Shuttleworth Bleriot is flying again.

[@heroknaderi]

Very Incredible.

[@Iz0pen]

His brother was intelligent, wise, & ethical to decline participating in WW1 as it turns out. Had everyone done so it’s likely there would never have been a WW2. Good job Mr. Bergdahl!

[@Tatiana7.62]

What an awesome work of preservation ! ❤❤❤

[@bryanaveri6816]

There is another one in a hangar at Stennis airport, MS. It needs to be rebuilt.

[@rosssharp1433]

This is INCORRECT !!! The Shuttleworth Trust's Bleriot is OLDER - CORRET this!!!

[@fdlman93092]

Lol they covered the reason why it is the oldest flying aircraft.

[@josephc.9520]

Exactly, but some ppl rush to comment and don't bother correcting themselves

[@andrew_owens7680]

- CORRE[C]T this! Done.

[@georgeparsons7338]

I saw a bleriot flying near Sedan, KS several years ago. It was just northeast of Sedan off an old county Rd. It may have been a reproduction

[@billdurham8477]

Wing warping. The commander of what amounted to the USAAC once issued an order to park all aircraft inside at night or rain to keep the wings from warping. He had overheard a debate about warping vs ailerons. That is one of the most impossible to control A/C in the world. I got to see it crash into the fence, they had just hopped it off the grass when we could see the grass swirling around in a gust. Pilot got it back on the ground but the wind just threw it sideways, he got that beautiful prop stopped just in time, but the wheel hit the fence. Last flight for that year. Anzani engine, you don't find parts on Ebay. They try to keep the run time for the season down to minutes. "How's yer Anzani???" A private joke with Tony Nasta, RIP Tony.

[@BIG-DIPPER-56]

Interesting, quaint, nice story... 😎👍

[@robertwilliams450]

I'm surprised they haven't put those on the national treasure lists.

[@quarterpounderwithcheese3178]

"They just don't make em like they used to"

[@monostripeexplosiveexplora2374]

oh what a beauty

[@legentilhommedefortune]

This plane crossed the channel ...

[@mollikyousufimtiaz2584]

oh my goodness, what a plane!

[@JZsBFF]

Well, it looks more like an angry kite than an aeroplane.

[@boathemian7694]

Ground effect…

[@ricardogastmann9688]

I love this old "machines"👏👏👏👏 I love the life too...all life 👏👏👏👏 Please make a precision maintenance... before flight 🤗

[@GaragebandandBeyond]

What Museum in Philadelphia was that? Franklin Institute?

[@KC-shunting]

That's not flying-that's "ground effect". It might as well be a static exhibit.

[@rescue270]

It's still flying.

[@microusb42069]

Thats neat and i understand wanting to protect ot just getting like 2-3 feet off the ground for a few moments isnt flight to me. Ive seen people do that in Teslas and Civics.

[@mustangandfrankenstein]

Beautiful works of art and craftsmanship from our forefathers nothing about about anything.they built back then was shotty or crappy .works of art and an absolute pleasure to see hear feel smell and look upon ..hell yeah..

[@animalian01]

This was the cutting edge of technology at the time it was built

[@Hackenberg]

Is that considered an ultralight now?

[@jimmymurphy7789]

"GO old BLAR-EEO....FLY-EEO !" 😃

[@rayray8687]

So as long as the wheels leave the ground for a second or two it’s ’flying’, right? In other words every kid on a skateboard is operating a flying machine. Brilliant.

[@jourwalis-8875]

I would like to hear the plane also!

[@woodhonky3890]

Damn camera didn't have a microphone? That sucks not to hear the engine!

[@pierrelarocque3214]

Wow !!!

[@reachandler3655]

I would have been nice to have heard the engine.

[@paulhelman2376]

Raymond Saulnier was principle designer of that Bleriot.

[@b43xoit]

Could circle around the field to climb above treetop level?

[@harryjoe860]

Did that guy dirty by bringing up his shame

[@r.guerreiro140]

Isn't it a Demoiselle? What's the difference?

[@georgesloane4094]

Shuttleworth Collection has one of these and flies it every fare weather Sunday...You may have the oldest in the US not in the world !

[@mrfloor1845]

You never showed the start up, with sound

[@user-sr1mh8mo6m]

Shuttleworth's XI is now hopping like this one.

[@ivanhicks887]

Love IT

[@jeffhess7130]

Two 👍👍 Up & Up Up & Away.

[@renandavidsoriaahumada6093]

we could really said its Priceless

[@JZsBFF]

And it's old and it flies, It's the oldest flying aeroplane (in case you missed the mention in the video.)

[@renandavidsoriaahumada6093]

it was an statement but i now see it looked like question @@JZsBFF

[@goojedooje660]

New Zealand has some very old planes at airshows there

[@andrew_owens7680]

You mean plains full of sheep?

[@sablatnic8030]

Yes, the Tolkien guy, Jackson?

[@davidhall8874]

How many y times have I heard on KZbin that theirs was the oldest plane in the world

[@seanbigay1042]

An aeroplane? Pfft! It will never catch on!

[@JZsBFF]

Agreed. It scares pigs, cattle and horses. It's noisy and smelly.

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

Neat!

[@ronaldmcdonald8303]

I just wish after WWI they did not scuttle all the ships tanks and planes. After the war most of the planes were either destroyed or sold off to other companies and farmers. To my knowledge there are no original WWI tanks planes or ship still around today. I would LOVE to fly an old Bleriot, one capable of reaching the skies! They were a living piece of history and I don't think any working originals exist anymore, sadly! ) ':

[@pcka12]

There are a number of original tanks in England as well as aircraft,

[@ronaldmcdonald8303]

@@pcka12 Oh, really! Thanks, I will look into that. Do you mean WWII only or both WWI and WWII? I know there are plenty of WWII military vehicles, but I struggled to find any original WWI weaponry. I've been to Eden camp as a child, but I don't recall sing any functioning first world war things there, although it was a long time ago. When we went to the war museum about 20 years ago with my late grandfather, he saw an original bomber, He was so moved that the employees there gave him special premising to look round the craft. It was really nice of them to do so, usually it strictly off limits. My grandfather got to look round and explore the plane that he used to maintain during the second world war. I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was really good to see him so happy, because he had parkinsons for the last few year of his life, which he really hated!!!! ) ':

[@pcka12]

@@ronaldmcdonald8303 the things are scattered around various museums but the Tank Museum at Bovington Dorset has the original prototype British Tank & a selection of Great War models, then it goes on and on, the various branches of the Imperial War museum has various things including an original Sopwith Camel in London, the Royal Naval Air service museum at Yeovilton has a variety from 1914 on, there is an original Battle of Jutland veteren light Cruiser in Northern Ireland, European museums have a variety including in Belgium, the Russians have British tanks & aircraft from WW1 era, Australia & New Zealand have things including the only surviving Bristol Monoplane Scout, Canada has some things & of course there are a variety of reproductions which fly & clank about, finally the Shuttleworth collection has the earliest still flying military aircraft in the form of a Bleriot Monoplane which is largely original.

[@grahamwood9428]

I think I heard recently that there are 13 original WW! planes still flying and think there are 7 at Shuttleworth in England. Could be wrong mind!@@ronaldmcdonald8303

[@bettybobzimmerman7450]

U.S. battleship U.S Texas still around

[@garypugh1153]

Can it do 3 snap rolls ? 😊

[@richardmiranda640]

So eventually you show the oldest plane in the world, the Wright Flyer.

[@13infbatt]

Safer than alot of modern planes

[@JZsBFF]

Really?

[@rossjohnson1872]

Engine melts down if run for an hour. Seriously, he barely made it across the English Channel.

[@DrzewieckiDesign]

I am confident, when nobody watches, he flies full traffic patterns 😉

[@LyinDogFacedPonyCommenter]

I’m confused. Is this the oldest flying airplane in the world?

[@alexmcmeekin2658]

No, the oldest flying airplane in the world is at the Shuttleworth collection in the UK.

[@christophersutton2282]

You got that wrong shuttleworth collection is

[@pcbondart]

don't ground loop it!

[@DavidJones-me7yr]

Is it really required to pass inspection to go a couple feet off the ground?

[@DavidJones-me7yr]

The back wheel wasn't turning on it,, it's just a bicycle wheel whether it's turning or not with that little bit of weight probably doesn't matter?

[@donaldasayers]

Oldest? The Shuttleworth collect would beg to differ, their Bleriot is flying again.

[@porpedroiiebertrand]

only 3 years before, the Father of Aviation, Santos Dumont, had the mighty 14-Bis flying…

[@henryhall9623]

In 1903, the Wright Brothers made the first controlled, heavier-than-air flight. A few years later, Santos Dumont's lumbering beast took to the air, but just barely. Have you seen what the Wrights were capable of the same year that Santos Dumont made his pitiful little hop? Among other things, they could stay in the air for a solid hour! Do yourself a favor and look up some old footage of their flights. Wrights ruled, Santos Dumont drooled.

[@goojedooje660]

@@henryhall9623 this is correct the Wright bros beat every one then

[@rexross7086]

Should be all you need for an airplane. Oil pressure water temperature, air speed and altitude. Why do they need 5000 gages?

[@alexmcmeekin2658]

This is now the second oldest flying airplane in the world. At the time of the video it was correct but should be changed now, as Old Rhinebeck even states, to the "oldest flying airplane in the Americas".

[@duron700r]

Gosh yes. If this is real, being very good to this piece of aviation history is a must. Well made for the time? Very. No need to risk a crash. Then it's kindling. Too cool! Thank you!

[@davecrupel2817]

Is there nothing they can do to overhaul the engine? :( Skipping it off the ground isnt flying.

[@theairstig9164]

Build another but the metallurgy is very different to today. A modern engine would make it not the original. I would fly behind a kinner or weller

[@subcribesubcribe3127]

You guys get No Views???

[@oldschoolcfi3833]

Keep Em Flying!! A museum is for the dead, this old bird ain't dead!

[@charlesaucoin9541]

I saw this happen

[@LittleManFlying]

It's cool, and all, but... I feel like in order to qualify as "flying," it should leave ground effect. As much as it is priceless, its physical structure isn't really that precious. If it has a stubbed toe, it can easily be mended. Please, just take hobbles off and actually fly the Blériot.

[@jasmijnariel]

It should fly. Airplanes or cars are not made to be stuffed in a concrete box

[@WarhammerWings]

HAH! Old Rhinebeck's is the oldest airworthy plane in the US. The oldest still flying in the world is another Bleriot XI (G-AANG) of the Shuttleworth Collection, by a matter of WEEKS!

[@kkteutsch6416]

Is that an original or a replica ?

[@leneanderthalien]

original

[@JZsBFF]

It's not the one that flew over the channel. That one is on display at the Musee des Arts et Metiers, Paris, France. This one is a later production unit. Of all the versions (approx 20) over 500 units were built. Some military versions were capable of carrying a pilot and a couple of small bombs! (wikipedia)

[@cheesemeisterrrr3177]

Dude, you know you don't have to repeat the same phrase "the oldest airplane still flying" so many times. Try to use some synonyms for words if you see the same ones more than twice. Otherwise, great video! :)

[@Mullikia]

So don't let us hear the engine.😶

[@user-yn8io9vx7t]

It's tailplane is off skew

[@ModelA]

Awesome!! However, it "flies" about as much as the Spruce Goose "flew". I know, I know... it's priceless, blah blah.