3. INTRODUCTION :
An aircraft is a machine that is able to fly by
gaining support from the air. It counters the
force of gravity by using either static lift or by
using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few
cases the downward thrust from jet engines.
Common examples of aircraft include airplanes,
helicopters, air ships, gliders and hot air
balloon. They play an important role in
transportation and in military service.
Aircraft can be classified into various types
based on the mode of classification.
5. LIGHTER-THAN-AIR AIRCRAFT:
Any aircraft kept aloft by gas, which is lighter than air,
contained in the craft is known as an aerostat.1
Examples of aerostats are balloons
and airships.
2
Today, lighter-than-air aircraft are used almost only for
recreational purposes.3
7. LIGHTER-THAN-AIR AIRCRAFT:
In the case of airships, the internal pressure of the gas
keeps maintains the shape of the envelope without the
need of any longitudinal members.
1
Free balloons - These are balloons which are
not anchored to the ground and are free to
move with the wind.
2
A Kite balloon is a balloon which is shaped and trimmed so as to
derive stability from wind.3
8. HEAVIER-THAN-AIR AIRCRAFT :
1 Aerodyne is the technical name for
any type of heavier than air aircraft.
2 Examples are conventional planes,
gliders, helicopters etc.
3 Aerodynes can be with or without
engines.
10. HEAVIER-THAN-AIR AIRCRAFT :
Airplane
This is an engine driven aerodyne that achieves lift
from the dynamic action of air against fixed wings.
Rotary wing
aircraft
These are aerodynes that achieve lift through the
dynamic action of air against rotating wings.
Ornithopter
This is an aircraft that flies due to the lift
generated by flapping wings.
11. HEAVIER-THAN-AIR AIRCRAFT :
Amphibians
Land planes
Sea planes
Airplanes can be further classified as
These are
airplanes which
can take off and
land on both
land and water
These can
take off and
land only on a
land surface.
These are
aircraft that
take off and
land only on
sea.
13. HEAVIER-THAN-AIR AIRCRAFT :
Gyroplanes Helicopter
Rotary wing aircraft are classified into two types
This is a power
driven aerodyne
which derives lift
mainly from a rotor
freely rotating in
the horizontal
plane, but thrust is
obtained from a
conventional
engine.
This is an
aerodyne which
derives both lift
and thrust from
rotating rotors.
16. CONCLUSION :
Airplanes are also used for entertainment like jet
fighter exhibitions, wing walkers and for carrying
parachutists. Airplanes also plays are huge role in
the military. Fighter planes are used
for aerial combats and to destroy enemy aircraft.
The study of aircraft helps to introduce further
developments and innovations in the field.
