History and Science of Aviation

Experience 100 years of passenger air travel with these five illustrated scenes, each depicting an era of passenger flight. Learn about the advances in aircraft design, passenger experience, safety innovations, social impact, and environmental issues.

This Aerospace History Timeline begins in 1000 B.C.E., when Chinese citizens invented human-carrying kites. From there, it transports users on a journey through time and space right through to 2020.

Coleman made history as the first African American woman and the first Native American woman to earn a pilot's license. This short documentary details her life and career, from her education and training to her time as a pilot and stuntwoman.

This radio clip from CBC Archives features an interview with J.A.D. McCurdy describing the first powered flight in Canada.

Sometimes called the Father of Aviation, Cayley was the first to identify the four aerodynamic forces of flight and the first to build a successful human-carrying glider.

There are 10 resources, each covering a different decade of Royal Air Force (UK) history. Each resource allows key stage 2 and 3 pupils to explore, through hands on activities, the applications of the knowledge they learn in science, design and technology, mathematics and computing.

What does the future hold for travel by air? This video takes a look at the beginning, starting with the achievements of the Wright Brothers through the speed of the Concorde and recent developments.