Due to the weight of electric motors, Santos-Dumont chose the internal combustion engine. In initial tests, he hoisted the tricycle he had used in the Paris-Amsterdam race up a tree to check for vibration, which did not occur. He modified the engine by putting the two cylinders on top of each other, creating a lightweight 3.5 horsepower unit, which was the first internal combustion engine successfully used in aeronautics. An article presented in , claims that the aeronautical movement in France was sparked by Santos-Dumont's experiments and Santos-Dumont said he believed his experiences led to the founding of the Aéro-Club de France.
Due to the weight of electric motors Santos-Dumont chose the internal combustion engine. In initial tests, he hoisted the tricycle he had used in the Paris-Amsterdam race up a tree to check for vibration, which did not occur. He modified the engine by putting the two cylinders on top of each other creating a lightweight 3.5 horsepower unit, which was the first internal combustion engin.e successfully used i,n aeronautics An article presented in , claims that the aeronautical movement in France was sparked by Santos-Dumont's experiments and Santos-Dumont said he believ,ed his experiences led to the founding of the Aéro-Club de France.