French Airship Completes 40-Kilometer Flight in Belgium on 2 November 1909

French airship makes first flight

On 2 November 1909, the French airship "Zodiac III" made its first flight in Belgium, drawing attention from the press as it took to the skies between Antwerp and Brussels.

Pilot and crew details

Count de la Vaulx was at the helm of the airship, with Legall handling the mechanical aspects and André Schelcher serving as a passenger during the flight.

Challenging weather conditions

The journey, which began in the late morning of 2 November 1909, faced significant challenges due to poor weather, including thick fog and strong winds that made progress difficult.

Flight path and return

After flying over and circling the Sainte-Gudule Cathedral just before 1 p.m., the crew returned to their starting point at 2 p.m., completing a flight of no less than forty kilometers.