In 1908 the flights of the Wright Brothers and of Mr. de la Grange turned my attention to aviation. A graduate from engineering and naval constructors' schools and a Lieutenant in the R.N.C.C., I first devoted myself to building an aerodynamical whirling arm (Photo I) which enabled me to carry out some research on aerofoils and airscrew models. As in the Froude's tank, forces, spaces, times and revolutions were registered on continuous diagrams.

Then, in 1910, I started the construction of my first aeroplane, which never went in the air, although it had been provided with an automatic stability device.

From the beginning I understood the importance of being a pilot myself, before taking any risks, so I obtained my licence in 1911, on a land Farman. At that time licences were granted in a very few hours. I remember I had been only twelve times in the air and had had two hours’ flying training altogether.