AERODYNAMICS & AERONAUTICS A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site airplane A heavier-than-air machine that is kept aloft by the forces on its wings (see forces of flight). An airplane is thrust forward by a propeller or other means of propulsion, such as a jet or rocket. Common types of airplanes are airliners, large planes usually used to transport passengers; military planes; and general-aviation aircraft, which cover all airplanes that are not airliners or military aircraft. They generally are smaller than airliners and can transport people or cargo or perform a wide variety of specialized functions such as crop-dusting, flight training, and recreational flying. Related categories    • AERODYNAMICS AND AERONAUTICS    • TECHNOLOGY U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP