Charles Voisin (French pronunciation: [ʃaʁl vwazɛ̃]; born July 12, 1882, in Lyon; died September 26, 1912, in Belleville-sur-Saône) was an early aviation pioneer from France. He was the younger brother of Gabriel Voisin, who was also an aviation pioneer.

Biography

In 1906, Charles joined his brother to create the Appareils d'Aviation Les Frères Voisin ("Voisin Brothers' Flying Machines"). Their first successful airplane was built in 1907. This plane, a pusher biplane powered by an Antoinette engine, was made for Leon Delagrange. Charles tested the machine from February to April 1907 before delivering it to him. On 16 March 1907, Charles flew the plane for 10 meters at Neuilly-Bagatelle, marking the first powered flight.

The Voisin Brothers' airplanes were an important step forward in aviation history. Famous pilot Henri Farman used a Voisin pusher biplane during many of his early flights. On 13 January 1908, Farman completed the first 1 km closed circuit in Europe at Issy-les-Moulineaux. Charles Voisin was watching from the ground during this historic flight.

Charles Voisin died in an automobile accident on 26 September 1912 near Belleville-sur-Saône. The early female aviator Baroness de Laroche was also injured in the same accident.