Ever since the Wright brothers revolutionized travel by inventing the airplane, the world has become a global village. Imagine following Columbus's sea route from Spain to America. Think of the time you would have lost. Today, whether it's an official meeting or a friend's wedding that you need to attend at short notice in another part of the country or a different country altogether, you wouldn't think of anything, but an airplane. It is a fascinating object and entirely safe if manufactured and maintained properly. So, let's check out what makes airplanes fly!



Airplanes are built in different shapes and sizes, and their task is to carry passengers and cargo from one destination to another. To fly, the airplane needs to carry its own weight and that of passengers, cargo, and fuel. It is heavier than air and like all vehicles is powered by an engine. The fuselage is the body of the plane and holds the different parts together. It is hollow to reduce the weight of the plane. Its front end houses the cockpit or the pilot's compartment, while its rear end contains passengers and cargo.

To move through air, an airplane uses a jet engine or a propeller. The jet engine is located underneath the wings, while the propeller is located on the front of the vehicle in the form of rotating blades. The former provides the necessary thrust to push the airplane through the air, while the latter is turned on by an engine and pulls the vehicle through the air. Wings help to lift the airplane, and they support the weight of the plane and its contents while airborne. Smaller wings at the tail of the aircraft help in controlling and maneuvering the vehicle. Stabilizers provide balance and prevent the airplane from swinging. Both horizontal and vertical stabilizers are located at the rear and are movable sections. The horizontal stabilizer checks up and down movement of the nose, while the vertical stabilizer prevents the nose from swinging from side to side. The hinged section of the vertical stabilizer is known as the rudder and it controls lateral movement of the tail. Similarly, the horizontal stabilizer has a hinged part that is known as elevator. This controls up and down motion of the tail.

Another interesting feature of the airplane is the ailerons. They are the movable sections of the wings and move in opposite directions, that is, one moves up and the other moves down. Ailerons facilitate turns. Instead of ailerons, some airplanes have spoilers. These also enable the aircraft to roll from side to side, but require less force and react more quickly than ailerons. The spoilers also help to slow the plane during landing. However, they decrease aircraft lift. Flaps are the other movable sections of wings. They are moved downwards and help the airplane to fly slowly.

Although flying is a quick and convenient form of travel, many people are terrified and shy away from it. The best way to get rid of flight phobia is to do some reading on airplanes and their parts, as well as talk to frequent air travelers. The first time you travel by air and reach your destination in a jiffy, you'll be among the millions who have mentally thanked the Wright brothers!