Civil aviation
Civil aviation is the use of aircraft for nonmilitary purposes, including passenger and cargo transport, private flying, and aviation services.
Airline: A company that provides air transport for passengers or cargo. Airlines organize scheduled and chartered flights, a central part of commercial civil aviation.
Commercial aviation: Aviation activity conducted for commercial purposes, including passenger and cargo transport. It is the largest, most visible part of civil aviation.
International Civil Aviation Organization: A United Nations specialized agency that develops international standards and recommended practices for aviation. Its standards help align civil aviation rules across national borders.
Wright brothers: Wilbur and Orville Wright, American inventors who achieved the first sustained, controlled powered airplane flight in 1903. Their aircraft demonstrated controlled powered flight, enabling later civilian aviation.
Jet age: The period when jet aircraft became central to commercial air travel, beginning in the mid-20th century. Jet airliners made long-distance passenger travel faster and expanded airline networks.
Airport: A site with facilities for aircraft takeoff, landing, and passenger or cargo handling. Airports connect aircraft operations with passengers, freight, and ground transport.
General aviation: Civil flying outside scheduled airline services, including private, instructional, and business flights. It covers much of civil aviation beyond airline operations.
Airworthiness: The condition of an aircraft meeting applicable safety requirements for flight. Airworthiness rules govern aircraft design, inspection, and continued operation.
Louis Blériot: A French aviator and aircraft designer who made the first airplane crossing of the English Channel in 1909. His flight showed that aircraft could connect places across national boundaries.
Airline deregulation: The removal or reduction of government controls over airline routes, fares, and market entry. Deregulation transformed competition and pricing in several national airline markets.