A Time for Exploration The early 20th century was a great time for inventors and entrepreneurs to push the boundaries of cars but also aircraft developments, and A.L.F.A was no exception. While the 24 HP car was being developed, two A.L.F.A. technicians – Antonio Santoni and Nino Franchini – got permission to use a 24 HP engine as a powerplant to a prototype aircraft that was built at the Portello factory. The biplane used a structure made out of bicycle tubes. On September 17, 1910, Nino Franchini took off for the first time from Piazza d’Armi. While the airplane didn’t have a commercial future, it proved the reliability and capability of the first A.L.F.A. engine.
Nino Franchini and the “Biplano” (1910).
