A monoplane is a term used to describe a heavier-than-air flying machine with a single pair of lifting surfaces (or, if you like: one wing). The first successful monoplane was the Bleriot V, built by frenchman Louis Blériot in January 1907. This aircraft was also the first to utilize a canard wing, i.e. placing the traditional tail surfaces at the front of the plane.

Other famous monoplanes:

• Fokker Eindecker, Germany, 1915
• Douglas DC-3, USA, 1935
• Supermarine Spitfire, UK, 1936
• Dassault Mirage, France, 1963
• Boeing 747, USA, 1969
• Saab Gripen, Sweden, 1988