The term aircraft in its broadest sense applies to any vehicle designed to carry man into the atmosphere. Today, heavier-than-air craft are built in all sizes and shapes, depending upon how they are to be used. Lighter-than-air craft refers to balloons and airships.

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The advantages of the airplane as a vehicle include high-speed travel and almost complete freedom from geographical barriers that surface travel such as rivers, mountains, oceans, and deserts, presents.

Legend and history have told of man's attempt to imitate bird flight by building flopping mechanical wings. These muscle-powered devices were all unsuccessful. About 200 years ago, hot air balloons enabled man to float into the air. These craft evolved into the cigar-shaped, propeller driven airships which could be used for travel over long distances. Several disasters, plus the rapid advances of heavier-than-air craft, eliminated the commercial value of the airship during the mid 1930's.

Chanute's first glider, 1896.

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Another approach to mastering the problems of flight was taken during the period of airship development. The first heavier-than-air craft were gliders, often pushed-off of hilltops. The first successful sustained flight was achieved on December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The flimsy machine was propelled about 100 feet by a home-built gasoline engine, connected by bicycle chains to two wooden propellers. This brief flight was the climax of many years' effort by two American brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright. Within a decade, flying machines and techniques of control were advanced to the point where the airplane became a useful vehicle. The pressure of World War I introduced many innovations, including multi-engined aircraft and those designed for special purpose usage.

Aeronautical science has progressed rapidly. The development of new power plants, structural materials, and electronic devices have made reliable aircraft of all types available for transportation of people and cargo. The aircraft industry is constantly being challenged to produce vehicles capable of higher speed flight and greater load-carrying capabilities.

Today's aircraft may be divided into many types and classifications, depending upon their use. Some are small with a single engine, while others are high multi-engined machines.

Commercial Airlines

The commercial airliners are designed to provide safe and comfortable transportation of passengers. They frequently carry a cargo of mail and freight. Most airlines today are powered by turbine jet engines, which enable them to fly at altitudes up to 40,000 feet and at speeds near 600 mph. The trend is toward larger aircraft even for the shorter flights. The jumbo jet which will carry 400 to 600 passengers has been developed, as has the supersonic transport. The SST enables passengers to cross the Atlantic Ocean in less than 3 hours while flying near 70,000 feet, which is sometimes referred to as biospace.

Passenger airliners, like the Boeing 747, fly at altitudes up to 40,000 feet and at a cruising speed of 600 miles per hour.

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Military Aircraft

The armed services of the major nations of the world require a wide variety of aircraft to accomplish their work. The mission of high performance military aircraft demands advances in all branches of aeronautical science. For example, the quest for faster aircraft during World War II brought about the jet engine, which since has made the modern jet airliner possible.

The F-102 Delta Dragger fighter-interceptors are equipped with air-to-air missiles and rockets.

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The modern fighter aircraft is an excellent example of a specialized military aircraft. It is characterized by powerful jet engines, small wings, and a slim fuselage, which permits extremely high-speed flight. Often its complex electronic control and sensing equipment accounts for one third or more of its cost. A fighter uses rockets and cannon fire to attack enemy aircraft. Bombs may also be carried to attack ground targets. The fighter's normal short range of flight is now frequently extended by midair refueling from aerial tankers. The tankers are essentially cargo aircraft with large fuel storage tanks and special equipment for the transfer of fuel to other aircraft at high altitudes.

Military cargo aircraft vary in size, but all have the task of moving troops, equipment, and supplies rapidly to wherever in the world they are required.

A military cargo aircraft.

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The bomber is usually a large multi-jet-engine aircraft capable of carrying heavy loads of weapons over long distances. Complex electronic systems assist in the delivery of bombs and missiles on enemy targetrsunder all types of weather and combat conditions.

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Guided and ballistic missiles are rapidly supplementing and, in some instances, replacing the manned military aircraft in the national defense program.

Light Aircraft

Aerotrek A240 light sport aircraft.

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This category represents the largest number of aircraft being flown today. It includes the small two-to-eight passenger airplane which is typically privately owned and is flown for business and pleasure. The Federal Aviation Administration defines these aircraft as weighing under 12,500 pounds. The light plane has one or two piston-propeller type engines which provide cruising airspeeds between 100 to 300 mph. The recent availability of small more powerful turboprop engines, however, is making larger and faster light twin engine aircraft available.

This type of aircraft is designed to be easily flown by the nonprofessional, as well as the professional pilot. Adequate instruments and radio navigation equipment are usually available to permit flight during adverse weather conditions. The pilot, however, must be specifically trained in the use of those instruments and be properly licensed before he can take full advantage of the aircraft's capability.

The landing gear of light aircraft may retract into the wings or fuselage or remain in a permanent position. Skis or floats may be added for operation from snow or water.

This single-engine aircraft, the first high-wing on the market, has retractable landing gear.

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It is interesting to note that an increasing number of individuals are again building their own airplanes to be flown for sport. The Experimental Aircraft Association has become a source of information and encouragement. The craftsmanship required has become a challenge, even to many nonpilots.

Gliders and Sailplanes are used for flying. Since they have no engine they must be towed aloft by a power plane or launched by an auto tow or winch. Once released, they sustain aerodynamic flight by gliding. By maneuvering within rising air currents or thermals, flights up to several hours are possible.

V/STOL Aircraft

V/STOL is the abbreviation for Vertical and Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft. Helicopters or rotary wing aircraft are the most common type of v-stols now in use. Large propeller-like rotors are mounted above the fuselage and generate vertical lift when rapidly rotated by the engine. Horizontal movement is achieved by tilting the rotor and changing the pitch of the rotor blades. Helicopters are extremely versatile and have become increasingly important for both industrial and military tasks.

Air Force CH-3C helicopter

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The autogyro is also a rotary-wing aircraft; however, its rotor blades are not driven by the engine. Forward thrust is provided by a conventional propeller. The movement of the autogyro through the air causes the blades to rotate and subsequently lift is generated.

AutoGyro MT-03

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Considerable attention is now being given to the development of v-stol aircraft. The military is especially concerned by the increasing runway requirements of its high performance jet aircraft. Several approaches have reached the test-flight stage, while others are still engineers' concepts. Variable geometry is a term describing the design where the position of the wing can be changed. The most desirable lift and airflow characteristics are provided in both low- and high-speed flight. Improved airfoil designs, improved laminar flow techniques, and high lift devices are also under investigation.

Another design approach is the tilt wing. The entire wing, including the turboprop engines is rotated to a vertical position for takeoff. Once airborne, the wing is gradually rotated to the conventional horizontal position where the propellers provide forward thrust.

The Hitler X-18 was an experimental cargo transport aircraft designed to be the first testbed for tiltwing

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Some v-stol aircraft simply direct the jet engine thrust downward to achieve vertical lift. Others divert the jet engine exhaust to drive large lift fans embedded in the fuselage and wings, providing vertical thrust for takeoff and landings.

Ground effect machines or GEMS can be classified as aircraft since they are supported above the ground by a bubble of compressed air. Large fans maintain the bubble. The vehicle travels over the earth's surface, including water at heights ranging from a few inches to a few feet. GEMS are now being used as military combat vehicles.

The GEMS powered Chinese CYG-11 seaplane uses reduced drag and increased lift from wing

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Research vehicles have utilized the tremendous power of rocket engines to achieve speeds approaching 5,000 mph and altitudes of over 50 miles. True aerospace craft called lifting bodies are undergoing flight tests. They will be used to return astronauts from future space laboratories. Once entering the atmosphere they will glide with aerodynamic control to designated landing areas.

A lifting body can be thought of as a fuselage with little or no conventional wing. The Martin Aircraft Company X-24 built as part of a 1963 to 1975 experimental US military program.

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This photo of mine was taken inside the Airbus A340-300 cockpit. This aircraft seats up to 375 passengers and has a maximum speed of 568 miles per hour.

Related articles:

Aeronautics and Advances of the Science of Flight
How Do Airplanes Fly?
How to Call an Airplane to be a Jet Plane? Understanding Jet Propulsion and Its Technological Innovations
Airships: A Short Brief of history and Innovations
What is an Airplane?

About the author

Oliver Cuico is a Steemian who formerly worked out of Lufthansa Technik Philippines. He loves basketball, cycling, cooking, computer gaming, songwriting and playing musical instruments. When he's not doing all those, he'll go out to bond with his friends or loved ones, to explore and socialize, or he's going to read, then try new things.