Welcome to the Flying Flea Archive USA website.
The resources here are available to anyone wanting more information about
the Flying Flea invented by Henri Mignet. Here you
will find information about the Archive, it's aims,
the POU du Ciel REVIEW, the official
Journal of the Flying Flea Archive USA, the editor
Raymond Buckland and links to
other Flying Flea websites. And while you're here, check out The
Gallery
Webmaster's Note
Buck's snailmail is P.O. Box
892, Wooster, Ohio 44691-0892, USA. His e-mail is buckland@valkyrie.net
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(c) Copyright, 1997 Flying Flea Archive
USA
The Flying Flea (Pou du Ciel)
Arguably the first homebuilt airplane, the "Flying Flea" was introduced
in 1934. It was successfully demonstrated by its designer/builder, Henri
Mignet, and with the publication (in book form) of the plans and instructions
soon hundreds of Flying Fleas were being built in homes across Europe and
the United States. A temporary set-back occurred when a number of these
homebuilt Fleas crashed but detailed investigation by the Royal Aircraft
Establishment in England and the French Air Ministry in France revealed
the problem and led to the necessary corrections for safe operation. By
1936 Fleas were again flying and have continued to do so ever since. Variations
on Mignet's original design can be found in many countries around the world.
The Flying Flea was designed to be an exceptionally easy machine to
fly, with no rudder pedals and a simple two-axis control stick. The main
forward wing, of the two tandem wings, pivots for ascent and descent while
the rudder (and the dihedral in the wings) takes care of turns. Mignet
claimed that anyone who could put together a packing-case could build a
Flying Flea and anyone who could drive a car could fly a Flying Flea.
Today sees a resurgence of interest in this proven design, with examples
being built and flown in many countries around the world. With this renewed
interest there has been the establishing of a Flying Flea Archive and the
publication of a bi-monthly newsletter. The latter has seemingly filled
a long-felt want for many people and enjoys distribution across the United
States and in more than a dozen foreign countries. |top|
THE FLYING FLEA ARCHIVE USA
The FLYING FLEA ARCHIVE USA represents the formalizing of an information-gathering
operation that has been on-going for nearly fifty years. The aim is to
become a storehouse of information on the Mignet designs and to provide
such information where needed. No charge is made for research, although
this is undertaken on a time-available basis. Any and all donations and/or
loans of material for the Archive will be gratefully accepted. This includes
published and unpublished material, photographs, movies, videos, plans,
books, articles, etc.. Provisions have been made for future safe-keeping
of all Flying Flea Archive USA materials. |top|
Aims
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To record the history of the Mignet HM-14 Pou du Ciel ("Flying Flea")
and its variants built and flown in the United States of America.
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To form a registry of all known U.S. Flying Fleas. To encourage and advise
on the preservation and display of Flying Fleas, associated artifacts and
archives.
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To make people aware of the Flying Flea and its impact on aviation history.
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To promote the conservation and display of all HM-14s and their variants
in U.S. museums.
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To assist others in the history of the Flying Flea in the United States
and to put interested parties in touch with one another.
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To advise those building HM-14s on the safety features necessary for successful
flight. |top|
POU du Ciel REVIEW
For seven years, from 1993 through 1999, this was the official journal of the
FLYING FLEA ARCHIVE USA. It was an international
magazine for the dissemination of information about Henri Mignet's designs.
It was a forum for those who have built, are building, would like to build,
or just think about building, to exchange ideas, experiences, thoughts
and feelings. The POU du Ciel REVIEW was published bimonthly, on
the 15th of January, March, May, July, September and November. Back issues are still
available for 1997, 1998 and 1999 - $20.00 per year within the United States,
US$25.00 in Canada and US$35.00 for the rest of the world, mailed first class domestically
and by air mail overseas. All issues are at least 12 pages. POU du Ciel REVIEW Editor was Raymond
"Buck" Buckland, P.O. Box 892, Wooster, Ohio 44691-0892, USA.
If you've been starved for information and exchange of ideas on this
wonderful, unique design, here is the opportunity to "get together" with
other "Pouers"; other Flying Flea builders, flyers and dreamers.
In the November 1999 issue:
Henri Mignet Inducted into EAA Aviation Hall of Fame
Editor's Logbook
Pou Mail
One Man and His Pou - Philippe Balligand
British Version of the Delanne
News From Europe
Historic Notes by Frank Easton
Back to the Garage
The Flying Flea Archive USA
$1,000 Flying Flea?
Unclassified Ads
Note: Each year a "get-together" of Flying Flea enthusiasts takes place
at the EAA International Convention at
Oshkosh, WI, from 10:00 am on Saturday morning till noon, at the Ultralight Barn Seminar Tent. |top|
Raymond Buckland
Raymond "Buck" Cochran-Buckland
was born in 1934 - the year the Flying Flea made its
bow - in London, England. He first encountered the Flea when his father
gave him a copy of the original Mignet book (which Buck still has). Later
he served in the Royal Air Force and then, in 1962, emigrated to the United
States. For eight years (1984-1992) he lived in San Diego, where he was
an active member of EAA Chapter 14, the
world's largest EAA chapter. He served
as a member of its Board of Directors, also as Public Relations Director
for the San Diego Wing of the Emergency Volunteer Air Corps. Buck has been
an EAA member since 1976 and a long time
member of USUA,
flying ultralights during his years in SanDiego. He was Secretary and Newsletter
Editor for the San Diego Ultralight Association for three years, flying
out of Perris Valley and Barona Air Park. By profession Buck is a writer;
author of over thirty books. He lives with his wife on a small sheep
farm in north-central Ohio. |top|
LINKS
While you're here, don't forget to check out THE GALLERY
Henri
Mignet's Flying Fleas
Mignet Aviation Flying Flea Page
Paul Pontois' Flying Flea Page
AeroCrafter
- Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook
Jean-Pierre Lalevée's Flying Flea Page
Bob Cornwell's Australian Flying Fleas
EAA
- The Sport Aviation Association
USUA
- United States Ultralight Association
Matthieu Barreau's Flying Fleas - France
Kiwi Flying Flea Images
HMS Historical Transportation Foundation
Eric Germano's Flying Flea site - France
French
Association of Aircraft Homebuilders
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