Set off from Brigue to Domo d Ossola today, recreating the famous voyage of Jorge Chavez in 1910 across the Alps in a Bleriot. No ailerons, no trim, no throttle and no navigation. Here I am at about 8000’ trying desperately hard to choose the right valley to get to Domo d Ossola.
Came down like a Stuka (8000’ to 900’ - should have circled really but short of time) to land here. Actual runway is a mistake to land on as I have no brakes either, keeps on rolling. Land on the grass.
When Chavez did it in 1910, the plane either fell apart through stress on landing or a gust of wind hit it and flipped it. Chavez died 4 days later from his injuries and was the first man to cross the Alps by air.
Beautiful plane, you can’t take your hands off the stick as it goes nose up and climbs. Forever blipping the engine coming down to keep the airspeed low ish.