Just an observation on the progress in official principal altitude and speed records at the year ends from 1909 ( i.e. post the Wright visit to Europe) to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
Altitude
1909 1,486 ft. Antoinette
1910 10,170ft. Bleriot.
1911 12,828ft. Bleriot.
1912 18,404ft. Morane Saulnier.
1913 20,078ft. Nieuport
Speed
1909 47.83 m.p.h. Bleriot.
1910 69.48 m.p.h. Bleriot.
1911 82.72 m.p.h. Nieuport.
1912 108.17m.p.h. Deperdussin.
1913 126.66 m.p.h. Deperdussin.
I would suggest that these are two indicators on drivers of aviation progress.
Do note that:
a. They are all of French manufacture and design.
and that :
b. They are all tractor propeller configured monoplanes.