CHAPTER XVIII – Flying Machines Construction And Operation

The rapid advancement of motor-equipped aeroplanes has surpassed even the remarkable commercial growth experienced by automobiles. This surge in interest and sales is largely attributed to Bleriot’s historic flight across the Dover Straits in 1909, which served as a wake-up call to the public about the viability of aviation not just for professional aviators but for anyone with the resources and courage to engage in it. This event marked the entry of the modern flying machine into the commercial business sphere, challenging the previously unchallenged position of the automobile by achieving greater sales numbers within a year of serious commercial consideration compared to the automobile’s first year of sales.

Unlike the automobile industry, which required years of dedicated promotion and development to establish its market, the flying machine industry witnessed an immediate and overwhelming demand shortly after Bleriot’s flight, despite the lack of initial intentions to sell flying machines commercially. Manufacturers are now facing an influx of orders, leading to expansions in production capabilities and the initiation of advertisement campaigns similar to those of the automobile industry. Notable sales reported since July 1909 include significant numbers from Santos Dumont, Bleriot, Farman, and other pioneers, with orders either fulfilled or in the process of being completed. This burgeoning demand is being met despite the manufacturers’ initial lack of readiness for such a surge, prompting the establishment and expansion of specialized plants and the introduction of modern production methods.

In addition to the sales of machines, prices for these pioneering flying machines range notably, from $1,000 for a Santos Dumont model, with demand pushing prices higher, to $5,600 for a Wright model, reflecting the premium prices consumers are willing to pay to secure these innovative devices. The motor stands out as the most costly component, underscoring the technological and financial investment in this nascent industry. Encouragingly, the provision of systematic instruction for amateurs by seasoned aviators like Curtiss and the Wright brothers is becoming a burgeoning facet of the industry, illustrating the growing accessibility and interest in aviation as both a pursuit and a practical mode of transport, sport, and pleasure.