Aviation Through The Years

To fly with the birds and float with the clouds has been man’s dream since the beginning of time. Centuries of hard work and experiments had to be done before man could boast of the first successful flight. Flight in a heavier-than-air craft was not accomplished until the beginning of the 20th century. Today the word aviation implies not only passenger carriers and fighter planes but also shipping mail and cargo. With such versatility, these aircrafts have contributed to augmenting the fast paced lives we already live. Air transport has contributed to the global expansion of our economy, leisure in our society, and influenced our government to diversify. The portrayal of aviation has impacted our society on three stages: socially, politically and economically

Leonardo de Vinci, the eternal genius drew blueprints of a flying machine in the 15th century, a time when the human flight had not been contemplated beyond a dream. Leonardo could not bring his dream to fructification; however later his designs were found to closely resemble the modern aircraft.

Aviation has come a long way since 1783 when the first manned hot air balloon took its flight, scaling a height of 3,000 feet, which was no mean feat in those times. Then after several experiments with hydrogen air balloons and several other successful as well as failed efforts, the glider saw the light of day in the late 19^th century.

Through the 1920s and 1930s, the world covered large leaps in aviation. Graduating from what was largely a war tool, so to say, to Boeings and passenger aircrafts. Also these early decades of the 20^th century saw the first woman aviators as well as the first major flights across continent borders.

The dark side of the aviation became evident during the World War II; the world watched in horror as severe bombings, air raids and tragedies which we today refer to as Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings were executed with no regard to human life or its loss thereof. The latest in the bloodshed perpetrated is the WTC tragedies which may still send shivers down the spine of anybody who lived through those times.

Today, aviation has taken a whole new meaning, what with aviation adventure sports being available. Several aviation adventure sports available today like paragliding, skydiving and tamer options like the hot air balloons and weddings and engagements being organized in gyrocopter flights. Today the aviation industry is flourishing and provides the industry with huge revenues. Not only does the aviation industry involve manufacturing of aircraft, airport operations, and aircraft maintenance but it also influences many industries associated with airline travel. The travel and tour business along with the hotel and restaurant business prospers from air travel.

Building their career as commercial or fighter pilots still remains the ultimate dream for a large number of youth all over the world, not only for the pay packet that it delivers (which is not bad J) but also for the thrill and exhilaration it offers.

Aviation may see may more milestones in times to come... and all we say is “Way to go Bird”