The French aviation pioneer Louis Bleriot achieved a unique
place in aviation history by making the first crossing of the
English Channel in a powered aircraft (his Type XI monoplane)
on July 25,1909. This success resulted in the
XI "La Manche"
formation
of the above company to produce the Type XI
monoplane, and many significant flights were made with
these aircraft. Aircraft of this type, and derivatives such as
the Parasol, served with the French forces, the RFC and
RNAS at the beginning of the First World War, as well as
with other air arms. In post-war years took over the SPAD interests and built many examples of these aircraft.
