Pioneering brothers in Mexican aviation: Aldasoro Brothers
Mexican Pioneers in Aviation: The Aldasoro Brothers
The Aldasoro Brothers, Juan Pablo and Eduardo, were trailblazers in the early days of aviation, making significant contributions to the field in Mexico during the early 20th century.
Born in the Hidalgo State of Mexico, Juan Pablo was born on September 14, 1893, and his brother Eduardo followed on October 27, 1894. Their passion for aviation began early, and by 1908, they had started designing and implementing their first glider.
In 1909, they constructed a glider and took it to an open area for a test flight on March 9th. Juan Pablo was the pilot, while Eduardo drove the car, a steam car named "White," that was used to pull the glider during the test. The testing took place in the fields of the Piedad Cemetery.
Their work didn't stop at gliders. Around 1910, they developed a powered airplane, named "Aeroplano Aldasoro." The air-cooled engine, capable of 60 hp and 900 RPM, was completed in January 1911. The engine's weight/power ratio was 3 kilos per hp, an impressive feat for the time.
The brothers' pioneering spirit didn't go unnoticed. In 1913, they became the first Mexicans to graduate as pilots from the New York aviation school. Their achievement was a significant milestone in the history of Mexican aviation.
The Aldasoro Brothers were also pioneers in safety measures. After an accident during testing, they decided to create a safer engine for their plane. They aimed to achieve a flight of couple hundred meters, but their impact on aviation extended far beyond that.
Their design included a "thick wing," a feature that was ahead of European designs. They also carefully disguised their glider design to prevent theft.
Juan Pablo and Eduardo Aldasoro flew "solo" before 1916, making them a part of the Early Birds of Aviation. On graduation day, Juan Pablo was even authorized to fly over the Statue of Liberty.
The Aldasoro Brothers' father served as Minister of Public Works at the time of Porfirio Díaz, adding another layer of influence to their achievements.
Their work paved the way for subsequent Mexican aeronautical innovations, cementing their place in the history of Mexican aviation. For more detailed information about their careers or specific milestones, further research is recommended.
The Aldasoro Brothers continued to push the boundaries of aviation, applying their knowledge of science and technology to design a powered airplane named "Aeroplano Aldasoro" in 1910. Their innovative wing design, ahead of European counterparts, and safety measures they implemented, such as creating a safer engine after an accident, demonstrate their significant contributions to the field of space-and-astronomy, showing their early interest in exploring beyond earth's atmosphere.
