Aircraft

Aircraft is a vehicle or craft that is able to fly through the air. Aircrafts are classified into two types, lighter than air aerostats and heavier than air aerodynes. Aerostats include balloons, airships, dirigibles, gliders, etc. Aerodynes include aeroplanes, rotorcrafts, etc. Furthermore, aircrafts are also classified on the basis of their usage into civil and military. Civil aircrafts include passenger airliners, cargo aircrafts, business jets, helicopters, etc. Military aircrafts include bombers, fighters, interceptors, attack helicopters, gunships, UAVs, etc.

The study and research of different aircrafts of the world is widely done both for military and archival purposes. Aircraft spotting and study is a popular hobby and was also a military activity during the Cold War. One must note here that “aircraft study” does not involve in-depth analysis of the aircraft, rather it relates to the general knowledge about the aircraft like its weight, manufacturer, country of origin, type, capability, range, propulsion type, etc. Aircraft related books, which often contain pictures, overviews, specifications of hundreds of aircraft from across the globe, are sought after by aircraft-enthusiasts. Aircraft books also include those books which are dedicated to famous aviation battles, aces, or to combat operations of a particular squadron.