 | ||
The first aerial flight over Venezuela was carried out in Caracas on 29 September 1912, by the American pilot Frank E. Boland and his assistant Charles Hoelflich, in a biplane designed by Boland, constructed of bamboo and fabric with a 60 hp (45 kW) engine and weighing 300 kg (660 lb).
History
In 1912, General Roman Delgado Chalbaud invited American pilot Frank E. Boland, a member of the Boland Aeroplane Motor Co, to visit Venezuela. Boland, accompanied by Charles Hoelflich and equipment, arrived aboard the steamship SS Maracaibo.
On arrival at Caracas the aircraft were assembled and arrangements were made for the event to happen on 29 September in the grounds of the Hippodrome El Paraíso, where many city residents and the President of the Republic, the General Juan Vicente Gómez witnessed the event. The flight lasted about 27 minutes, flying across the city from West to East landing back at the Hippodrome El Paraíso.
Boland also gave successful demonstrations at Valencia, Puerto Cabello, Barquisimeto, Maracaibo and Ciudad Bolívar.
In addition to the first flight, Frank E. Boland also suffered the first aviation accident in the country, when on 6 October 1912, taking off from the Hippodrome El Paraíso at Caracas, his aircraft crashed causing serious damage to it and minor injuries to Boland.