The Eastbourne Monoplane was an experimental aircraft produced in 1913 by the Eastbourne Aviation Co. Ltd. The Eastbourne Monoplane was unique for its time in that it was a single wing design with an engine pulling the aircraft. Early aircraft used a propeller pushing the aircraft from behind rather than pulling it from the front. Their roll was controlled by wing warping where bracing wires were pulled to twist the wing's outer sections. The Eastbourne Monoplane was one of the first aircraft to use ailerons for more positive roll control. Most early aircraft designers chose the biplane configuration. While two wings generated a great deal of lift, the arrangement also generated a great deal of drag. Some reasoned that if biplanes were successful, why not try three wings? Sets of two and three wings had to be braced by fairly substantial wires and joined together with interplane struts, which in themselves generated drag. This taxed early aircraft engines which did not produce much power per pound of weight. A single wing of the same area would generate much less drag and, being more aerodynamic, would allow the aircraft to go faster. That sort of forward thinking was the idea behind the Eastbourne Monoplane. It appears that only one Eastbourne Monoplane aircraft was produced. Specifications Primary Function: experimental Seats: one Engine: Anzani 3 cyl. Power: 25 h.p. Length: 21' 0" Wingspan: 29' 2" Weight Empty: 488 lbs. Max. Weight: 650 lbs. Payload: n/a Max. Speed: 48 mph Climb Rate: n/a Ceiling: 600 feet Range: 22 miles First Flight: 2/22/1913