The Bréguet-Richet Gyroplane, also known as the Gyroplane No.1, was an experimental aircraft developed by Louis Charles Bréguet 🔗 and Charles Richet 🔗 in the early 20th century. It is considered one of the earliest successful attempts at creating a rotorcraft, specifically a gyroplane or autogyro.

The Gyroplane No.1 was built in 1907 and made its first flight on September 29 of that year. It featured a rotor mounted on a mast that rotated freely and was not powered by an engine. Instead, the forward motion of the aircraft generated airflow through the rotor, causing it to spin. The spinning rotor created lift, allowing the gyroplane to sustain flight.

One notable feature of the Bréguet-Richet Gyroplane was its ability to perform controlled descents by adjusting the angle of the rotor blades. This demonstrated a level of stability and control not seen in previous rotorcraft designs.

While the Gyroplane No.1 achieved successful flights and demonstrated the potential of the autogyro concept, it was limited by its dependence on forward motion to maintain lift. It did not possess the ability to take off vertically or hover like a helicopter. As a result, further development of gyroplanes was put on hold, and the focus shifted to helicopter designs that offered more versatility in vertical flight.

Nevertheless, the Bréguet-Richet Gyroplane played a significant role in the history of rotorcraft development. It laid the foundation for future advancements in autogyro and helicopter technology, paving the way for the rotorcraft designs that would follow in the years to come.