Have you ever looked up at the sky and watched an airplane zoom by, wondering what marvels lie behind the art of flying? Aviation, or the field of flying aircraft, is filled with amazing facts that might just blow your mind. Let’s buckle up and soar through the top 5 fascinating facts about aviation that you need to know!
1. **The Wright Brothers made history.** On December 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the first powered aircraft. Although their flight only lasted 12 seconds, it changed the world forever!
2. **Planes can fly really high!** Commercial airplanes usually cruise at an altitude of about 35,000 feet—that’s almost 7 miles up in the sky! At this height, they can avoid traffic and weather systems that might slow them down.
3. **The busiest airport might surprise you!** Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States is often the busiest passenger airport. In 2019, it saw over 110 million passengers pass through its gates!
4. **Aircraft can be huge!** The Airbus A380 is one of the largest passenger planes out there. It can carry over 800 passengers in one go. That’s like an entire small town flying through the air!
5. **Aviation is safer than you think.** Traveling by airplane is incredibly safe. Data shows that the chance of being in an airplane accident is about 1 in 11 million. So next time you buckle up on a plane, remember, flying is much safer than driving!
From incredible heights to massive flying machines, the world of aviation has no shortage of fascinating tidbits that will keep you looking up. Keep these facts in your carry-on luggage the next time you head to the airport for an extra dose of awe as you embark on your next sky-high adventure!