commercial aircraft
Quick Summary
Commercial aircraft are non-military planes used for transporting passengers and freight on scheduled routes. This category includes everything from small freight carriers to large airliners like the Airbus A380. While some, like the Concorde, were capable of supersonic speeds, most operate at speeds below 200 miles per hour.1
The history of flight, particularly heavier-than-air machines, began with the Wright brothers in 1903. Their success in achieving powered, sustained flight laid the groundwork for both military and civil aviation to develop rapidly. The aerospace industry has since grown, with major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus producing a wide range of aircraft for various commercial purposes.23
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airplaneCivil aircraftCommercial airliners are used to haul passengers and freight on a scheduled basis between selected airports. They range in size from single-engine freight carriers to the Airbus A380 and in speed from below 200 miles per hour to supersonic, in the case of the Anglo-French…
Read MoreCommercial airliners are used to haul passengers and freight on a scheduled basis between selected airports. They range in size from single-engine freight carriers to the Airbus A380 and in speed from below 200 miles per hour to supersonic, in the case of the Anglo-French…
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Boeing 707commercial passenger jetliner. The mid- to long-range narrow-body four-engine aircraft with a swept-wing design was developed and manufactured by the Boeing Company. It made its first flight on December 20, 1957, and entered commercial service on October 26, 1958. It remained in production until 1991,…
Read Morecommercial passenger jetliner. The mid- to long-range narrow-body four-engine aircraft with a swept-wing design was developed and manufactured by the Boeing Company. It made its first flight on December 20, 1957, and entered commercial service on October 26, 1958. It remained in production until 1991,…
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aerospace industryGrowth of the aircraft industry…percent of the world’s piston-engine commercial aircraft were made in the United States, and 56 percent of that American production was from Douglas. The United States, however, lagged behind Great Britain in understanding the potential of the jet airliner. In 1943 Britain had established the Brabazon Committee to assess the…
Read More…percent of the world’s piston-engine commercial aircraft were made in the United States, and 56 percent of that American production was from Douglas. The United States, however, lagged behind Great Britain in understanding the potential of the jet airliner. In 1943 Britain had established the Brabazon Committee to assess the…
Read More- aerospace industryCommercial heavy aircraft
…transportation has been central to commercial aircraft manufacturing. As one of the world’s most vital industries, airlines are key to many aspects of the world economy, from international business and tourism to routine movement of people and goods ranging from massive machinery to agricultural products and personal items. The United…
Read More…transportation has been central to commercial aircraft manufacturing. As one of the world’s most vital industries, airlines are key to many aspects of the world economy, from international business and tourism to routine movement of people and goods ranging from massive machinery to agricultural products and personal items. The United…
Read More - aerospace industryInternationalization
… (1988), was the first subsonic commercial aircraft to be designed with fly-by-wire (electric rather than mechanical) primary controls and the first commercial aircraft to feature the so-called glass cockpit, which used electronic rather than mechanical displays. Through its innovations and the growing range of aircraft offered, the European consortium became…
Read More… (1988), was the first subsonic commercial aircraft to be designed with fly-by-wire (electric rather than mechanical) primary controls and the first commercial aircraft to feature the so-called glass cockpit, which used electronic rather than mechanical displays. Through its innovations and the growing range of aircraft offered, the European consortium became…
Read More - aerospace industryResearch
…improve the all-weather operation of commercial aircraft, enhanced vision systems using video and infrared cameras or millimetre-wave radar are being pursued. Other areas of research include fly-by-light techniques that transmit commands through fibre-optic cables rather than electrically. The demand for longer vehicle lifetimes has made vital the development of nondestructive…
Read More…improve the all-weather operation of commercial aircraft, enhanced vision systems using video and infrared cameras or millimetre-wave radar are being pursued. Other areas of research include fly-by-light techniques that transmit commands through fibre-optic cables rather than electrically. The demand for longer vehicle lifetimes has made vital the development of nondestructive…
Read More - aerospace industryRemanufacture and upgrading
For commercial aircraft the upgrade process is analogous. Here, too, the emphasis is on avionics and engines, especially the latter. These upgrades can prolong the profitable operation of the aircraft or allow it to meet the latest noise and emission regulations.
Read MoreFor commercial aircraft the upgrade process is analogous. Here, too, the emphasis is on avionics and engines, especially the latter. These upgrades can prolong the profitable operation of the aircraft or allow it to meet the latest noise and emission regulations.
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