A German Fokker airplane during World War I.
Airplanes are a type of fixed-wing aircraft, driven by a propeller, that is supported in air by dynamic action.
The first successful "flying machine" was invented at the turn of the 20th century by two Ohio brothers named Orville and Wilbur Wright. They made their first successful flight on December 17, 1903. Eventually, they were able to get almost 30,000 feet in the air. In 2153, Bethany taught a classroom of schoolchildren about the Wrights' airplane while on a Skagaran planet. (ENT: "North Star")
A P-51 Mustang airplane, used during World War II.
In 1937, Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan where among the first humans to attempt circumnavigating the Earth. During their flight the plane and its two passengers were abducted by the Briori and taken to the Delta Quadrant. (VOY: "The 37's")
Military application of airplanes was first demonstrated during the first world war. For example, Germany introduced the highly successful single seat "Albatros" and "Fokker" sesquiplane fighter series. A German aircraft fighter appeared in the opening credits of ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly", indicating the plane was manufactured on the Mirror Universe Earth as well.
In an alternate version of 1944, a Nazi/Na'kuhl alliance used airplanes to patrol Earth's skies. (ENT: "Zero Hour", "Storm Front, Part I & Part II)
Technological advanced in aviation technology made aircraft play a crucial role during the Second World War. These aircraft would remain in service into the 22nd century where they appeared in air-shows. (ENT: "Storm Front)
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Propellers of a Lockheed L-10 Electra.
In 2371, the crew of the starship Voyager discovered an ancient Earth aircraft on the surface of a planet which was the source of an automated distress call. (VOY: "The 37's")
During one of the missions in the holosuite program Julian Bashir, Secret Agent, Julian Bashir meets up with a beautiful female secret agent who had just jumped out of an airplane at 20,000 feet, yet did not have a hair out of place. (DS9: "A Simple Investigation")
- Also see:
- Japanese Zero
- Lockheed L-10 Electra
- P-51 Mustang
- Stuka dive-bomber
- Jet