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