Modern_Aviation

On the 4th of June 1783 the Montgolfier brothers defied gravity for the first time in human history (Montgolfier brothers). They took to the skies in a hot air balloon. But it wasn’t until 1943, the launch of the first commercial airliner, that everyone was able to fly. The Super Constellation a propeller driven airliner, was the first Airliner to get the general population into the air (Lockheed Constellation). Powered by 4, 18 cylinder engines. The Super Constellation was the marvel of the late forties and with it’s end came the end to the propeller driven area of airliner aviation (Lockheed Constellation). In 1949 we entered the age of the jet engine and modern aviation. The British kicked off modern aviation with the DH 106 Comet, manufactured and designed by de Havilland in 1949, the very first jet powered passenger airliner to go into production (De Havilland Comet). During it’s time, the Comet was a landmark in aeronautical design. It featured an extremely aerodynamically engineered wing, and body style. Powered by 4 turbojet engines tucked neatly inside the wing, the DH Commit was top of it’s class (de Havilland Comet). The comet was a major success in its first year in the skies. The Commit looked to be the star airliner of the 1950s, however a few short years after its introduction the Comet started suffering from catastrophic metal fatigue (de Havilland Comet). With the pressure on the cabin at high attitudes the plane wasn’t able to hold together, causing two well publicized accidents where the aircraft was ripped apart mid flight (de Havilland Comet). The comet never overcame its design flaws and production ended. With the failure of the DH 106, an American company, Boeing, would make a name for itself. If de Havilland couldn’t control the skies it would be Boeing, and they did just that with the introduction of the Boeing 707 aircraft. On May 14, 1954 the 707 took its first flight and within the next year airlines around the world were waiting to get their hands on it. Boeings domination of passenger air transportation had begun, Delivering a total of 1,010 707’s before the production end in 1978. Boeing had monopolized air transportation (Boeing 707). Air travel in the 1950s was very expensive. There was literally only one way to travel, first class (Retrowow). All fares were fixed by the International Air Traffic Association, and with the IATA setting rates it was hard to gain a competitive edge over other airlines. As the industry had always realized the potential for more passengers with lower fairs it was up to the IATA to make it happen. An agreement was finally reached after Pan America threatened to leave IATA and go it alone. First Class, Tourist and Economy became the three main class offerings of major airlines, which remain virtually unchanged today from their launch in 1958 (Retrowow). Unchallenged throughout the fifties and sixties Boeings monopoly was essentially untouched, but as the world entered the 1970’s a new competitor to challenge the control of Boeing came to light. BAC Aerospatiale a British and French government joint venture flew the Concorde in 1969 for the first time (Concorde). A Turbojet-powered supersonic airliner priced at $276,000,000 USD. With is radical never before seen delta-winged design and four Olympus engines capable of cruising speeds of 2,270 KM an hour. The concord, in it’s early days looked to be the largest competitor of Boeing. With the introduction of supersonic passenger aircraft the subsonic was rendered to be obsolete. Why would anyone want to fly for twice as long to get to their destination (Concorde). Boeing countered back with the introduction of the 747 which is two and a half times larger then the boeing 707 (Boeing 747). The Boeing 747 is the among the world’s most recognized aircraft, and the first wide body ever produced. Known as the “Jumbo Jet “ first flown commercially in 1970, with a passenger capacity of 524, the 747 held the record for 37 years. As the 747 was not able to compete with the new supersonic fight times of the Concord it had other benefits. The 747 was designed with a double deck configuration which could be converted into a cargo bay by removing the seats and adding a cargo door. Boeing did so because the company expected the demand for subsonic cargo aircraft would be robust into the future. The 747 was forecast to only sell 400 before launch, but by 1976 it had surpass that number by exceeding its critic’s expectations with production passing the 1,000 mark in 1993. With a cruising speed of 913 KM an hour the sub sonic 747 transcontinental airliner became the new airplane of choice (Boeing 747). Being the biggest, most versatile and cost efficient plane on the market. The 747 managed to trump the Supersonic Concord which proved to be uneconomical. At 276 million dollar apiece it was not really worth the gamble to most airlines. The Boeing 747 continued to be the leading airliner until the late 1980s. Having amassed over 7000 orders to date the 747 is the worlds most produced commercial jet and new versions are still being released to date with the 747-8 scheduled to take its first flight on February 8, 2010 (Boeing 747). With boeing virtually unstoppable for close to 40 years. The introduction of the A340 manufactured by Airbus a multi european country consortium marked a distinct point in modern aviation (Airbus A340). The initial variant A340, entered service in 1993, measuring 59.39 meters or 194.8 ft. Powered by 4 power plant Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines, the Airbus A340 was more than willing to take a stand against Boeing (Airbus A340). Designed as an early generation Boeing 747 replacement, capable of carrying 380 passengers in a three-class cabin layout. The A340 provides similar passenger capacity to a 747 but with 25 percent more cargo volume, and at lower trip and seat costs (Airbus A340). Boeing hot at the heals of Airbus began major assembly of the first 777 aircraft on January 4, 1993. With nearly 6 billion invested in the project of constructing the world’s largest twin-jet airliner, boeing had managed to secure 118 firm orders before they began production (Boeing 777). On April 9, 1994, the first 777 was rolled out and delivered to United Airlines. The first commercial flight took place on June 7, 1995 from London Heathrow Airport to Dulles International near Washington DC. With the launch of the 777 boeing saw their stock more then tripled in the next five years. Climbing from $20 to $60. The success of the 777 was assured (Boeing 777). With the turn of the century came again new aircraft in the battle of modern aviation. It was clearly outlined by the last decade that Boeing and Air Bus would go head to head entering the 21st century. With the boeing 787 and the Airbus A350 XWB leading the frontier of modern Aviation. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a long range twin engine jet liner. Top of its class the 787 seats 234-296 passengers depending on the configuration (Boeing 787). It is the world's first major airliner to use composite material for most of its construction. The 787 raises the bar in efficiency, aircraft construction, and technology. It is the most fuel-efficient airliner , consuming 20% less fuel than any similarly-sized commercial liner (Boeing 787). The Dreamliner sports two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines (Boeing 787). The most notable contribution to efficiency is the new electrical architecture which replaces hydraulic power sources with electrically powered compressors and pumps, as well as completely eliminating hydraulics from some subsystems used for aircraft power, de-icing, and other functions (Boeing 787). Inside auto-dimming smart windows provide natural light inside the cabin while eliminating glare and maintaining transparency. Wi-Fi Internet access has also been added to the 787 providing passengers a connection with the ground below (Boeing 787) The cost of this airliner averages $175,000,000. Originally set for release on August 2007 the Boeing 787 was delayed until December 15 2009 when it made its maiden flight (Boeing 787). Designed to reconnect passengers with the true experience of flying. The 787s LED variety lighting, spacious walk ways, and large windows are all there to give passengers a lasting positive impression of their flight. Boeing has adapted a new marketing strategy based more on experience than price. Then there is the Airbus A350 scheduled to enter into service in 2013 to compete on all aspects of modern aircraft design with the Boeings 787 (Airbus A350). As for the future of Modern Aviation only time will tell where we go from here. Many predicting a return to the supersonic age as yearly as 2015 (eTurboNews). If so will airlines take what they learned from the failure of the Concord and create a variation, or will the super sonic age of modern aviation bring never before seen designs. For as long we can remember humans have been fascinated by flight. And it is that fascination which drives the determined minds of aeronautic engineers in the intense battle for the next best airliner. Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives. — Socrates Bibliography Branden Harder Armstrong, Derek. 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