Aviation

Aviation refers to flying using an aircraft, like an aeroplane. It also includes the activities and industries related to flight, such as air traffic control. The biggest of the many uses of aviation are in air travel and military combat.

History

First powered heavier-than-air flight, December 17, 1903

Humans first built devices to fly in the air a long time ago. In the sixth century, Yuan Huangtou from China created a kite. Some primitive types of parachutes and gliders were also created in North Africa.

The modern age of aviation started on November 21, 1783, when the Montgolfier brothers flew in their hot air balloon. Airships followed. On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers flew the first flight in an aeroplane which was heavier than air; their invention is known as the first aeroplane.

Military aircraft became somewhat important in World War I. In the 1930s airliners began carrying many passengers. Jet engines began flying in fighter aircraft in World War II and in airliners in the 1950s.

Aviation Media

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  PanAmBoeingNPABidini

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  LZ 129 Hindenburg at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, 1936

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  Lilienthal in mid-flight, Berlin c. 1895

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  First powered and controlled flight by the Wright brothers, December 17, 1903

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  The Cessna 172 is the most produced aircraft in history

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  NASA's Helios researches solar powered flight.

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  The Boeing 737 series of aircraft, as seen here in the United Airways livery, is a popular choice for airlines that operate narrow-body aircraft.

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  Northwest Airlines Airbus A330-323

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  c/n 4645.*Built 1940.*Seen during the Chipmunk 70th Anniversary event.*Old Warden, Bedfordshire, UK. 22nd May 2016.

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  The Lockheed SR-71 remains unsurpassed in many areas of performance.