­­Flight Image Gallery­

­flight
Wright State University Archives
The Wright Brothers flew the first airplane over 100 years ago. See more ­flight pictures.

­I happen to fly a lot o­n business. For me, personally, airplanes are one of the most amazing things that I see on a daily basis. When I get on a 747, I am boarding a gigantic vehicle capable of carrying 500 or 600 people. A 747 weighs up to 870,000 pounds at takeoff. Yet it rolls down the runway and, as tho­ugh by magic, lifts itself into the air and can fly up to 7,000 nautical miles without stopping. It is truly incredible when you think about it!

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Up Next

In this article, we will walk through the theory of flight and talk about the different parts of a standard airplane, and then you can explore tons of links to learn even more.

If you h­ave ever wondered what allows a 747 -- or any airplane for that matter -- to fly, then read on.

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