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A.E.A Silver Dart

The A.E.A Silver Dart The A.E.A Silver Dart

The original Silver Dart was built by the Aerial Experiment Association formed by Alexander Graham Bell. The first controlled powered flight in Canada occurred February 23, 1909 when the Silver Dart was flown off the ice at Baddeck, Nova Scotia, by the designer J.A.D. McCurdy. Even though the Silver Dart was an experimental aircraft, an attempt was made to sell the aircraft to the Canadian Army. For various reasons this was unsuccessful.

The Silver Dart is a canard or “elevator in front” design. Like most aircraft of the time, it appears to have had poor control characteristics. It was made of steel tube, bamboo, friction tape, wire, wood, had no brakes, and was covered with rubberized silk balloon-cloth. The museum replica is covered with doped linen. The first passenger flight in Canada was made in the Silver Dart on August 2, 1909.

Museum Example

The museum aircraft is an airworthy replica built by RCAF volunteers between 1956 and 1958. The aircraft was flown at Baddeck on the 50th anniversary of the original flight, but crashed due to high, gusty winds. It was repaired for display at the Canada Aviation Museum.

Specifications

Wing Span:
15 m (49 ft 1 in)
Length:
12 m (39 ft 4 in)
Height:
2.9 m (9 ft 7 in)
Weight, Empty:
277 kg (610 lb)
Weight, Gross:
390 kg (860 lb)
Cruising Speed:
69 km/h (43 mph)
Max Speed:
69 km/h (43 mph)
Rate of Climb:
Unknown
Service Ceiling:
21.4 m (70 ft)
Range:
N/A
Power Plant:
one Continental A-65, 65 hp, horizonatally-opposed engine

Additional Photographs

The Canada Aviation Museum’s Image Bank contains additional photographs of this aircraft. Images are provided for non-commercial study or research purposes only and may not be reproduced or published without the prior consent of the Canada Aviation Museum.

Find out more about our Image bank here.