From Cornu to Cornucopia

by Gunther Winkle

2007 sees the 100th year of helicopter flying and is being celebrated across the aviation world.

One hundred years ago, in November 1907, the very first free helicopter flight was carried out by Frenchman Paul Cornu near Lisieux in France. Actually Cornu’s fellow-countrymen Louis and Jacques Bréguet took off in another helicopter a couple of weeks earlier but since their vehicle needed stabilisation by ground personnel during its short hover this cannot be considered as a free flight.

Cornu started to develop helicopters back in 1904 by buildind a model with two rotors with a diameter of some 7ft each. The model weighted some 30lbs and was powered by a small 2hp gas engine. Cornu’s full- scale helicopter consisted of an open V-shaped frame which carried engine, fuel tanks and pilot seat. On each end of the frame a rotor with a diameter of almost 20ft was mounted and driven by a 65ft long leather belt, probably made in England.

Directional control was allowed by means of two movable...