History and Science of Aviation

Examine the forces that act on an airplane, the pilot controls, and the design process engineers use to develop airplanes that manage these conditions. Videos, images and diagrams explain the forces of flight and the motions an airplane experiences in flight.

Experience the engineering design process as an aerospace engineer assigned to design and test an airplane. Determine which wing and engine configuration is best suited to each mission. Find airworthy, low-cost, and fuel-efficient designs.

This is a free and open-source multi-platform simulator.

A benefit of NASA’s quiet supersonic research is to change noise regulations so that you and I could someday fly at supersonic speeds over land, reaching our destination in half the time. Watch this video to learn more about how sound travels and how the design of the X-59 takes into account the principles of sound.

This 5-minute video describes some of Leonardo da Vinci's most impressive ideas, including the ornithopter and parachute.

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.

This is an interactive site that takes students through through a variety of hangers which contain information and activities about flight.

This video explains why some popular ideas of flight are incorrect. Listen and watch explanations of two theories of "lift".

YS Flight is a free, web-based flight simulation game. Play in teams, engage in combat, use navigation instruments to plot a solo flight