"An airplane (American English), or aeroplane (Commonwealth English), informally plane, is a fixed-wing aircraft that is propelled forward by thrust from a jet engine, propeller, or rocket engine."
A fixed-wing aircraft used for transportation, usually carrying passengers and cargo.
Aerodynamics: The study of how gases interact with objects in motion, such as airplanes. Understanding the principles of aerodynamics is essential for designing and piloting aircraft.
Airframe: The structure of an aircraft, including the wings, fuselage, and tail. Understanding airframe design and engineering is important for aircraft maintenance and repair.
Avionics: The electronic systems on an aircraft, including communication and navigation equipment. Understanding avionics is essential for pilots and aircraft technicians.
Flight Instruments: The tools used by pilots to monitor the performance of an aircraft in flight. Understanding how to interpret and use flight instruments is essential for safe flying.
Propulsion: The means by which an aircraft is powered, such as jet engines or propellers. Understanding propulsion systems is important for aircraft design, maintenance, and repair.
Flight Planning: The process of planning a flight, including route selection, weather forecasting, and fuel management. Understanding how to plan a flight is essential for pilots.
Air Traffic Control: The system of communication and control used to manage air traffic, including clearance for takeoff and landing. Understanding how air traffic control works is important for pilots and air traffic controllers.
Regulatory Requirements: The laws and regulations governing aviation, including safety standards and licensing requirements. Understanding regulatory requirements is important for pilots and aviation professionals.
Emergency Procedures: The procedures to follow in emergency situations, such as engine failure or loss of communication. Understanding emergency procedures is essential for safe flying.
Human Factors: The study of how humans interact with technology, including in aviation. Understanding human factors is important for designing aircraft and ensuring safety in aviation.
"The broad spectrum of uses for airplanes includes recreation, transportation of goods and people, military, and research."
"Worldwide, commercial aviation transports more than four billion passengers annually on airliners..."
"...and transports more than 200 billion tonne-kilometers of cargo annually..."
"...which is less than 1% of the world's cargo movement."
"Most airplanes are flown by a pilot on board the aircraft..."
"...but some are designed to be remotely or computer-controlled such as drones."
"The Wright brothers invented and flew the first airplane in 1903..."
"...recognized as 'the first sustained and controlled heavier-than-air powered flight'."
"They built on the works of George Cayley dating from 1799... and the work of German pioneer of human aviation Otto Lilienthal..."
"...who, between 1867 and 1896, also studied heavier-than-air flight. Lilienthal's flight attempts in 1891 are seen as the beginning of human flight."
"Following its limited use in World War I, aircraft technology continued to develop."
"Airplanes had a presence in all the major battles of World War II."
"The first jet aircraft was the German Heinkel He 178 in 1939."
"The first jet airliner, the de Havilland Comet, was introduced in 1952."
"The Boeing 707, the first widely successful commercial jet, was in commercial service for more than 50 years..."
"...from 1958 to at least 2013."
"...George Cayley dating from 1799, when he set forth the concept of the modern airplane..."
"...but some are designed to be remotely or computer-controlled such as drones."
"...and the work of German pioneer of human aviation Otto Lilienthal, who, between 1867 and 1896, also studied heavier-than-air flight."