Reims Military Aviation Competition, 1911
The Reims Military Aviation Competition (French: "Concours militaire d'aviation") was a military aviation competition held in Reims in October 1911 that was organized by the French Army, with the purpose of trialling the performance of new aircraft for potential use by the French military. Although a number of aeronautical records were beaten during the competition, there were also a number of crashes and fatalities. It began on Friday October 6, 1911. Background. Aircraft manufacturers that exhibited at "Le Grand Concours d'Aviation Militaire" at Reims in October 1911 hoped to attract orders from the French military . Organized by the French Army, this competition required that the aircraft and engines be fully built in France, and be able to fly without stop on a closed circuit of 300 km with a 300 kg load (not including oil, water and fuel) at a speed of more than 60 km/h. Additionally, they were to be 3-seaters, and be able to take-off and land from unprepared surfaces. The first prize was 700,000 francs plus additional sums for increases in speed over 60 km/h, as well as a commitment by the military to purchase 10 aircraft. The  competition attracted the major French aircraft manufacturers of the time, including Blériot, Breguet, Deperdussin, Farman, Hanriot, R.E.P. and Nieuport. During the Reims military competition of November 1911, a Deperdussin Type B "Sport", piloted by Maurice Prévost, came 3rd. Powered by a 100 hp Gnome engine monoplane, it achieved a speed of 89 km/h.