Aeronautics and Advances of Science of Flight

As we hear the word "aviation", of course the first thing that comes to your mind is a field or a profession. But what about "aeronautics"? Why schools use this term rather than aviation? Engineering for engineers and Aeronautics for aviators.
Aeronautics is a more general term because aviation is the practical aspect or art of aeronautics, being the design, development, production, operation and use of aircraft.

In this blog of mine i'm gonna share my basic knowledge about the Aerodynamics and Theory Of Flight (my next article). But first, i want to share a glimpse of history and the evolution of flight in the world.

Aeronautics (air-uh-NAWT-ticks)

Aeronautics is the art and science of flight through the air. Advances in science have brought aeronautics from the hot air balloon flights of more than 200 years ago to today's supersonic (faster than sound) flights of the F-117 Nighthawk. Aeronautics can be classified into two major fields: lighter-than-air craft and heavier-than-air craft.

Lighter-than-air craft

Lighter-than-air craft were the first successful man-carrying flying vehicles. In 1250, Roger Bacon recorded the idea that an object would float in air in much the same way as an object floats in water. The hot air balloon was the first application to this idea, with later use of light gases such as hydrogen.

img source. Henri Gifford's steam-powered airship flew in 1852.
Credit: 2001 National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution (SI Neg. No. 73-05535)
The control of balloon flight is limited to the dropping of ballast for altitude gain and the release of gas for descent. The more practical airship was developed in 1852 by Henri Gifford who added a steam-engine powered propeller to an elongated balloon. Long-distance flights over specifir routes become practical after vertical and horizontal fins were added, along with more powerful engines. These airships became known as dirigibles and zeppelins.

Henri Gifford's balloon before ascension. Tuileries, Paris created: 1878

img source.

Heavier-than-air craft

A more successful approach to controlled flight has been the heavier-than-air branch of aeronautics. The earliest of these vehicles were gliders, which were simply pushed off of hilltops into flight. They were dependent upon favorable air currents and winds to stay aloft once airborne.
The Wright Brothers launched the first powered flight in 1903. Great emphasis on the development of this type of aircraft began during World War I

Wright brothers' aircraft, 1903

img source

A hang-type lilienthal glider

img source. Once sustained flight was achieved, it became necessary to master some basic techniques of controlling the airplane. Advances in aircraft design and more powerful engines soon gave pilots better control over their aircraft in flight.

Igor Sikorsky's first practical helicopter, 1939

img source. This unusual aircraft achieves its lift by rapidly rotating airfoil-shaped blades above fuselage. Thus it can be used vertically and can be maneuvered in any direction: forward, sideways, and even backward.

Modern Flight

Early pilots had few controls and instruments. They relied upon their eyes and their sense of balance to tell them their position in the air. They were able to fly only in fair weather, and often made forced landings when bad weather occurred. As the speed and distance of aircraft flights increase, the path of flight must be more precisely guided.

Many technical developments have been added to the aircraft's cockpit. For example, extremely sensitive flight instruments, auto-pilots, powerful radios and navigation aids make flight at night or through bad weather, or over oceans and deserts possible and safe.

A vast and complicated world-wide or traffic control system and other services, assist the pilot in planning and carrying on his flight.

Pilots are licensed in accordance with their skills of operating aircraft, and their knowledge of related aeronautical subjects. Light small airplanes are easily flown, but modern high-performance aircraft require extensive training.

Aeronautical science is constantly being advanced as the need for new types of aircraft is required. High altitude and supersonic flights have required new materials and techniques of building aircraft. Electronic devices are being increasingly important to aid the pilot in the safe and accurate control and guidance of his vehicle.

Behind me is a Qantas Airways' Airbus A380, a four-engine jet airliner that can carry up to 853 passengers (A380-800) and it also has a freighter model (A380F) that would carry up to 150 tonnes of cargo.

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