Aviation in Norway
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In the early days of Norwegian aviation the Norwegian enthusiasts lacked an engine and were therefore unable to perform real flights. The first engine powered airplane was ordered during the worlds first air show in Reims and came to Oslo in December 1909. It was purchased by Wilhelm Henie (Sonja Henie's father) and was a Voisin biplane. The plane was however so damaged by a snowstorm that it would never fly.
In 1910 engineer Einar Lilloe Gran constructed the first motorised airplane in Norway. It had a wing span of 10 meters and cost 12 000 Norwegian kroner to build. It is not know if this plane was ever flown.
The first confirmed flight was by the Swedish baron Carl Cederström on 14 October 1910. A 23 minute flight over Oslo with a top speed of 52 knots.
The first military flight was made by Hans Dons in the HNoMS Start on 1 June 1912.
