Aviation: history and development. Famous aircraft designers

Presenting the modern world without airplanes and flights is impossible. Being one of the most important assets among mankind's inventions, the aircraft was born thanks to the man's furious desire to have wings behind his back. Surely our ancestors dreamed of dreaming soaring in the sky. Admiring the birds and arms outstretched, they represented themselves next to them. Even the child sincerely believes in the existence of fabulous flying devices, truly envying the heroes of magical stories. Dreams were realized only after thousands of years - when enough scientific knowledge was accumulated. The experience gained in the course of many unsuccessful attempts made by the creator of the world's first aircraft and his predecessors, was useful in our days.

Maholet: the beginning of the journey

Even in the XV century, Leonardo da Vinci was convinced that man, having overcome air resistance, has every chance to rise into the air. To help him in this will be great wings. Calculations and a detailed study of bird flights pushed him to the idea of creating such a device as a maholet. Leonardo da Vinci tried to implement the idea, which was inspired by his usual dragonfly.

Many people have heard of the fact that the air environment is often called the "fifth ocean," but not all can explain this eloquent epithet. The history of aeronautics and aviation remembers that among the enthusiasts wishing to conquer the unknown airspace, there were many captains of sea-going ships. Perhaps they sought to learn and unexplored expanses, but, throwing back the romance, it is worth noting that the sailors had great knowledge of complex technical devices, they were able to manage large frigates. If necessary, they could easily fix or build a new ship. Therefore, the experience of professional sailors was useful in the process of creating the first self-propelled devices above the ground.

Modern civil and military aviation, whose history is rich in many experiments, went through feelings of admiration and disappointment, human losses and new opportunities.

The appearance of the first gliders

At the beginning of the XIX century the first non-motor gliders appeared. Imitating birds, the inventors gave their creations a similar shape. However, the first aircraft could not gain a foothold in use, since the desire to raise the skywards incredible for the time invention did not succeed.

They were confronted with a cliff, rolled off the hills, dispersed with the help of horses, but no matter how the creators tried, they failed to become the authors of the first realized project in the history of the air force, which later became known as "aviation."

History remembers in 1857 the first sailor Jean-Marie Les Bree, who managed to lift the glider in the sky, breaking the 100-meter height. "Albatross" (as he called his technical miracle), depending on the direction of the wind and the density of air masses, happened to fly about 200 meters.

The success of Mozhaysky

Russian aviation can be proud of the fact that the admiral of the tsarist fleet was able to construct the first airplane equipped with a steam engine, which detached itself from the surface of the earth with a person on board. The Creator gave him a promising name - "air projectile." The dimensions of the aircraft of that period were impressive: the length of the wings was about 24 meters, the fuselage was about 15 meters. Alexander Mozhaisky - the creator of the world's first aircraft - could not bring the matter to an end. But his developments became fundamental in the further development of aeronautics.

Merit of the American brothers Wright

Anticipating the proximity of success, the best inventors around the world relied on the experience of previous discoverers. Without lowering his hands and being in an uninterrupted search for a suitable idea, they tried to create a lighter aircraft and were confident of the need to supply it with a more powerful engine. However, not everything was designed to control the winged device. The main goal was just to fly. Such hindsight cost the life of Otto Lilienthal. In 1896, his glider turned over from the impact of a sharp windy gust, and the device crashed from a height. Therefore, not only the famous aircraft designers deserve attention, but also those who were able to submit to the first airplane.

Wright Brothers, inventors from America, were able to master the most important skills of piloting and maintaining the balance of an airplane in an air harbor. The advantage of their design was a confident engine running on gasoline. Despite the fact that the aircraft did not resemble a modern aircraft, it was rather like a flying stack, it weighed about 300 kg. At the beginning of the XX century, the first successful tests of the "Flyer" took place. Having held in the air for 12 seconds, the Wright brothers gave a green light to a man for mastering the heavens.

Aviation in Russia: the beginning of the 20th century

The next few years, the whole world was shocked by the success of the Americans, thanks to which the aircraft continued to grow. History mentions flickering newspaper headlines, a film shot by a Parisian operator from a bird's eye view, specialized publications devoted to aviation achievements. However, the testers of the first aeronautical vehicles were rightly called brave ones. Russian aviation, according to its representatives, was uncomfortable and unsafe. For example, in the notes of the famous pilot of that period, Boris Rossinsky, there are essays and memories of flights. Among the unpleasant moments during the flight he particularly remembered the smoking oil. Smoky caustic smoke made it impossible to fully breathe, so the pilot had occasionally to apply ammonia to his nose from time to time.

In addition, the lack of brakes forced the aviator to jump out of the cab directly on the run.

Creation Sikorsky - Russian hero

Since the launch of the American "Flyer" several years have passed, and on the territory of the Russian Empire production of domestic aircraft has already been set at a high level. Then the first passenger aircraft appeared, the creator of which was Igor Sikorsky. Fully consistent with its historical name, "Ilya Muromets" was a real giant among its counterparts. In addition, the salon was characterized by unprecedented conditions: several bedrooms, the presence of a toilet and a bathroom, electricity and heating. Its first practical test "Ilya Muromets" was held in the winter of 1914. Sixteen passengers with a dog on board received a lot of emotion from the flight, after which the plane made a successful landing. Six months later, comfortable airplanes had to assume the role of bombers, participating in the First World War.

The Tupolev Range Record

The legendary ANT-25 is located in the Chkalovsky Museum hangar. Once this plane was admired and was recognized thanks to the huge scarlet wings. The great Russian aircraft designer Andrei Tupolev was awarded many awards for his significant contribution to the development of aviation.

Valery Chkalov, a well-known Soviet pilot, in 1937 managed to establish on this apparatus a real record of range. Subsequently, the ANT-25 acquired exactly this second name. From Moscow to Vancouver, the distance is about 8.5 thousand kilometers, and Tupolev's aviation brainchild was able to overcome it in one breath.

Air Tank IL-2

Sturmovik Il-2 became famous during the Great Patriotic War. He terrified the Nazis, as he acted as the main air defense of Soviet soldiers over the battlefield. Covering his soldiers with guns, machine guns and missiles, he led the ground forces forward. One of its obvious advantages was the strong armor, which allows to fight off attacking fighters of enemy Germany. Thanks to the power of this aircraft, their production prevailed in number over other combat analogues.

Modest U-2

By the fortieth years of the XX century on the territory of the USSR the leading aircraft designers created an infinite number of combat aircraft, but not only they were entrusted with the protection of the Soviet sky.

Along with them participated in combat aircraft destined for peaceful purposes. Among them, an honorable place was occupied by the U-2. This modest training aircraft had two seats, was absolutely not whimsical in use and could make a landing outside the intended place for this purpose. In addition, the aircraft was appreciated for its maneuverability and quiet. This allowed the military pilots to quietly creep up to the enemy in the dark and deal decisive blows.

Distinguished in the battles of 1943, the U-2 received insignia and a new name. In honor of Nikolai Polikarpov, a famous aircraft designer, on the territory of the entire Soviet space, he was renamed Po-2.

Conclusion

Many-sided aviation, the history of which has many more worthy examples and exemplary designs, among which are the best load-lifting, civil aircraft and fighters.
It is impossible not to mention the elegant Tu-144 airliner in 1968, the MiG-25 jet engine , the Columbia and Buran orbital planes. An important breakthrough was the use of such strategic devices as unmanned vehicles.

If a person has once seen a dream, where he flew, the desire to repeat it in real life will never leave him. You can realize a dream, simply being a passenger of an airplane, or having received the appropriate education, in order to continue to sit at the helm, or become the greatest aircraft designer.