The Santos-Dumont “Demoiselle” is a typical example of vintage aviation technology on exhibit at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum .  With a wingspan of 19 feet and a 35 HP engine, the Demoiselle is considered one of the world’s first ultralight aircraft.

Alberto Santos-Dumont of Brazil , made the first officially observed powered, controlled flight in Europe in 1906 with his canard “14-bis” aircraft.  The flight took place in France and covered a distance of 722’.  In 1907 he designed the Demoiselle using bamboo extensively in its construction.  He made the plans for his aircraft available and many were built around the globe.  It was nicknamed the "infuriated grasshopper", and used a unique method of lateral control.  Instead of a conventional control stick located in front of the pilot, the stick was located behind the seat.  A special flight suit with a narrow vertical pocket sewn onto the back of the jacket was worn by the pilot.  He would slip into his Demoiselle and slide the control stick into the pocket of his flight suit.  Leaning to the left or right actuated the wing warping system (the warping wings acted as ailerons), thus banking the aircraft while in flight.  The Demoiselle is an excellent example of a pioneer aircraft demonstrating that aircraft design was still in its infancy, and that standardized methods of control had not yet been developed.

Interestingly, Dumont established a relationship with Louis Cartier.  While piloting his aircraft Dumont found that accessing his pocket watch to monitor his flight time was somewhat inconvenient.  He discussed this with Louis Cartier at a celebratory event for one of Dumont ’s record-breaking flights, and Cartier developed the concept of a wristwatch for men, an idea that Dumont popularized.  Cartier continues to produce the “ Santos ” watch to this day.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome founder Cole Palen originally built this reproduction aircraft around 1957, along with a 1911 Curtiss Pusher Model D aircraft with similar construction.  The Demoiselle was expertly restored to its present condition by Dan Taylor in 1998.