Embraer is preparing to mark the centennial next year of the first flight of Alberto Santos-Dumont’s 14 Bis biplane with a display at its Le Bourget static exhibition of the first of three 14 Bis replicas built in Brazil. The first replica is next to Embraer’s Legacy business jet and will remain throughout the Paris Air Show. At the same time, an exhibit on the life and work of Santos-Dumont is at the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace here at Le Bourget.

The Brazilian aviator flew his legendary aircraft in Paris for the first time on October 23, 1906. The celebrations, under the aegis of the Brazilian Ministry of Defense, coincide with “the Brazil year in France” and the opening of the Paris Air Show. The 14 Bis and the exhibit will go to other museums in France. After the centennial cycle is over, the exhibit and 14 Bis will return to the Le Bourget air museum. Flying displays of the 14 Bis in Brasilia and Paris are planned for September and October 2006.