Katana VentraIP

Fixed-wing aircraft

A fixed-wing aircraft is a heavier-than-air flying machine, such as an airplane, which is capable of flight using aerodynamic lift. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft (in which a rotor mounted on a spinning shaft generates lift), and ornithopters (in which the wings oscillate rapidly to generate lift). The wings of a fixed-wing aircraft are not necessarily rigid; kites, hang gliders, variable-sweep wing aircraft, and airplanes that use wing morphing are all classified as fixed-wing aircraft.

Gliding fixed-wing aircraft, including free-flying gliders of various kinds and tethered kites, can use moving air to gain altitude. Powered fixed-wing aircraft (airplanes) that gain forward thrust from an engine include powered paragliders, powered hang gliders and some ground effect vehicles. Most fixed-wing aircraft are operated by a pilot, but some are specifically designed to be unmanned and controlled either remotely or autonomously (using onboard computers).

A is similar in overall design to a land-based airplane, with a generally unmodified fuselage as compared to its land plane version, except that the wheels at the base of the undercarriage are replaced by floats, allowing the craft to operate from water rather than from dry land.

float plane

A is a seaplane with a watertight hull forming the lower (ventral) areas of its fuselage, resting directly on the water's surface. It differs from a float plane as it does not need additional floats for buoyancy, although it may have small underwing floats or fuselage-mount sponsons to stabilize it on the water. Large seaplanes are usually flying boats, with most classic amphibian aircraft designs using some form of flying-boat design for their fuselage/hull.

flying boat

One or more large horizontal wings, often with an cross-section shape. The wing deflects air downward as the aircraft moves forward, generating lifting force to support it in flight. The wing also provides stability in roll to stop the aircraft from rolling to the left or right in steady flight.

airfoil

Aircraft flight mechanics

Airliner

Aviation

Aviation and the environment

Aviation history

Fuel efficiency

List of altitude records reached by different aircraft types

Maneuvering speed

Rotorcraft

In 1903, when the Wright brothers used the word, "aeroplane" (a term that can also mean airplane in American English) meant wing, not the whole aircraft. See text of their patent. Patent 821,393 – Wright brothers' patent for "Flying Machine"

British English

The airplane centre

Airliners.net

Aerospaceweb.org

How Airplanes Work – Howstuffworks.com

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's How Things Fly website

a 1959 Flight article

"Hops and Flights – a Roll Call of Early Powered Take-offs"