Look out alongside the impressive Embraer Legacy business jet in Le Bourget static park for a piece of aviation history that links the Brazilians with our French hosts - the 14 Bis biplane.
The replica is here with Embraer to mark the centennial of this legendary aircraft, being overseen by the Brazilian Ministry of Defence.
The 14 Bis was designed and built by pioneer Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who flew his invention in Paris for the first time on 23 October 1906.
Celebrations begin with Brazil year in France, which starts today.
During the show Embraer is displaying the first of three 14 Bis replicas built in Brazil
At the same time, an exhibit on the life and work of Santos-Dumont is showing at the Muse de l'Air et de l'Espace, located here at Le Bourget.
Embraer is sponsoring both the construction of the replicas and the Santos-Dumont exhibit.
The Instituto Cultural Eco-Econmico Esprito Santo, organiser of the exhibit, together with the Committee for the Coordination of Centennial Celebrations, under the Brazilian Ministry of Defense, plan to take the Santos-Dumont exhibit and the 14 Bis replica to other museums in France.
After the centennial cycle is over, the aircraft and exhibit will return to the Muse de l'Air et de l'Espace for permanent display.
Flying displays with the 14 Bis in Braslia and Paris are planned for September and October 2006, weather permitting.
A third replica will be sent to the Rio de Janeiro Aerospace Museum (MUSAL).
With Japanese silk wings, Indian bamboo structure and French glue, each 14 Bis replica weighs 220kg, the same as the original aircraft.
Source: Flight Daily News