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- Glossary
- Aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the operation, development, production and use of aircraft for the purpose of flying. In modern times, this term mainly pertains to the use of heavier-than-air aircraft, which includes things like commercial airlines, chartered planes, helicopters, military aircraft and so on. The desire to achieve human flight has existed since the dawn of civilization. A look back in history tells us of fabled characters, such as Icarus, who were able to fly. Over the centuries, there were also inventors who attempted to create all manner of flying contraptions, with little success. (Or, to put it another way, there’s little in the way of hard evidence to prove their inventions worked).
Lighter-than-air Aircraft
However, it wasn’t until the late 1700s that lighter-than-air aircraft—such as hot air balloons and airships—became the precursors to modern aviation. And then came that landmark event on December 17, 1903. That was when Orville and Wilbur Wright became the first people to manage sustained, controlled flight in a powered aircraft. A little more than a century later and we now enjoy the benefits of aviation worldwide. For instance, corporate travelers commonly arrange chartered planes to attend to business matters anywhere in the world. And for those who like to travel, aviation places any destination within easy reach.
Aviation is the operation, development, production and use of aircraft for the purpose of flying. In modern times, this term mainly pertains to the use of heavier-than-air aircraft, which includes things like commercial airlines, chartered planes, helicopters, military aircraft and so on. The desire to achieve human flight has existed since the dawn of civilization. A look back in history tells us of fabled characters, such as Icarus, who were able to fly. Over the centuries, there were also inventors who attempted to create all manner of flying contraptions, with little success. (Or, to put it another way, there’s little in the way of hard evidence to prove their inventions worked).
Lighter-than-air Aircraft
However, it wasn’t until the late 1700s that lighter-than-air aircraft—such as hot air balloons and airships—became the precursors to modern aviation. And then came that landmark event on December 17, 1903. That was when Orville and Wilbur Wright became the first people to manage sustained, controlled flight in a powered aircraft. A little more than a century later and we now enjoy the benefits of aviation worldwide. For instance, corporate travelers commonly arrange chartered planes to attend to business matters anywhere in the world. And for those who like to travel, aviation places any destination within easy reach.
