5 Things You Should Know About the World’s Oldest Flying Aircraft

At the Shuttleworth Collection in England, aviation history isn’t just preserved—it still flies. The Blériot XI, built in 1909, is the oldest airworthy aircraft in the world. Here are five things you should know about this remarkable survivor.

1. It Was the First Plane to Cross the English Channel

French aviation pioneer Louis Blériot made history in July 1909 when he flew his Blériot XI from Calais to Dover. The 22-mile flight proved that aircraft could travel practical distances and changed the future of aviation overnight.

2. It Was Nearly Lost Forever

The Shuttleworth Blériot XI was hidden for decades under a railway arch before being rediscovered by aviation enthusiast Richard Shuttleworth in the 1930s. His restoration work laid the foundation for the Shuttleworth Collection, which now houses some of the rarest flying aircraft in the world.

3. Its Design Was Revolutionary for Its Time

Unlike many early aircraft that used pusher engines mounted behind the pilot, the Blériot XI used a “tractor” configuration, with the engine in front. It also relied on wing-warping instead of ailerons to steer, a method that was soon phased out but was cutting-edge in 1909.

4. It Has Barely Enough Power to Fly

Powered by a tiny 24-horsepower Anzani engine, the Blériot XI is said to be “barely capable of flight.” Pilots who fly it today must keep low to the ground, as it cannot easily climb or recover from stalls.

5. It Still Flies—But Only on Special Occasions

More than 115 years after its first flight, the Blériot XI still takes to the skies at Shuttleworth airshows. Flights are short and only in perfect weather, but seeing it lift off is like stepping back into the dawn of aviation.