10 Most Famous Aircraft in the World

By Nelson Lewis

Wright Flyer

• Built by the Wright Brothers.!• Performed the first-ever powered flight in 1903.!• Built with spruce wood and a handmade engine.!• To fly it, Wilbur Wright had to lay on his stomach

on the lower wing.!• Steering was controlled with a hip cradle that

pulled wires to warp the wings.

Concorde

• The first supersonic airliner in world history.!

• Allowed passengers to travel across the Atlantic in just 3 1/2 hours.!

• Features a pointed, adjustable nose that allows it to achieve optimum aerodynamic efficiency in flight while allowing the flight crew a full view during take-off and landing.

Air Force One

• Serves as an air traffic control call sign most often used by the private aircraft that transports the President.!

• Can be used by any US Air Force aircraft while the President is on board.!

• The term was first developed in 1953 after a security glitch.!• Several aircraft have been designated as “Air Force One”,

with Boeing the exclusive manufacturer.

Supermarine Spitfire

• First flew in 1936.!• Was widely used by the British

in World War II, most famously during the Battle for Britain.!

• Universally loved by the British public.

Airbus A380

• Currently the largest passenger airliner in the world.!• Can carry up to 853 passengers in a double-deck

seating configuration.!• Entered commercial service in October 2007.!• It’s so big it needs specially-designed ships, barges and

roads for surface transportation.!• Features highly innovative passenger provisions and

pilot technology.!• Has an avionics suite based on that of advanced military

aircraft.

Spirit of St. Louis

• Made famous by Charles Lindbergh when he used it to fly across the Atlantic in 1927.!

• One of the most fuel-efficient and aerodynamic designs of its time.!• Fuel tanks at the front of the plane to improve safety and balance.!• Fuel tanks’ location meant that there couldn’t be a front

windshield in the tiny cockpit, so Lindbergh needed a periscope for front visibility.

Lockheed Vega 5b

• Used by Amelia Earhart when she was the first woman to fly non-stop across the Atlantic.!

• A popular design choice for record attempts due to its long range and rugged design.

Gulfstream GIV

• First truly global business jet.!• Launched in 1987.!• Allows private jet passengers to travel anywhere in

the world with just one fuel stop.

Cessna Citation XL

• Revolutionized private aircraft market!• Offers a cost-effective competitor to the twin turboprop aircraft.!• Popular due to its speed, high passenger capacity and relative

low cost.

SpaceShipTwo

• Open cabin and large viewing windows.!• Suborbital spacecraft.!• Leading the race to take commercial air passengers

into space.!• Still in development.