I assure you, they would have answered you differently.

In the USA they would say that the palm, without a doubt, belongs to the Wright brothers. In Europe and South America(especially in France and Brazil) would be named after Alberto Santos-Dumont. In Russia they would object that this is, of course, Rear Admiral Alexander Mikhailovich Mozhaisky. But who invented the first airplane? And in what year was the airplane invented?

In most countries, in books on aviation, this name is listed as the inventors of the world's first airplane. Was this true?

Americans Whirbull and Orville Wright from Ohio first designed gliders, and only then decided to create an aircraft equipped with an engine.

Wright Brothers.

Mechanic Charlie Taylor helped them create it. The engine was very simple and even primitive compared to modern models. But we must take into account the fact that, in essence, the brothers had no starting point.

They relied on ship propellers when designing the aircraft. The engine had neither a carburetor nor a fuel pump.

And the chain feed chain was manufactured by a company specializing in the production of chains for car engines. Its power was 9 W, and it weighed 77 kg.

Model of the Flyer-1 aircraft

The plane received name Flyer-1, and its weight was 283 kg.

It was first tested December 14, 1903, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Almost immediately he fell.

December 17, 1903 is considered the day when the world's first powered aircraft took off. True, he flew by only 12 seconds and 36.5 meters, at a speed of 43 km/h. Subsequently, the brothers still flew on it.

The longest distance he flew was 60 meters, at a height of 3 meters and stayed in the air for about a minute. You can find out which is the fastest plane. And about the maximum flight altitude of modern passenger airliners

The plane was later given to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington as a valuable exhibit.

Alberto Santos-Dumont

The Brazilian, who lived more than half his life in France, became famous there as the first inventor of an aircraft capable of taking off without a catapult, strong wind or other technical devices.

Alberto Santos-Dumont

His plane was named 14-bis or Oiseau de proie, which is translated from French as “Bird of Prey”.

Dumont aircraft 14-bis.

October 23, 1906 he tested it. The plane overcame a distance of 60 meters, at a height of 2-3 meters. It already had a chassis, albeit a non-removable one.

And already November 12 the same year, a talented pilot was able to make a powerful breakthrough in aviation, flying 220 meters in just 22 seconds. Thus, he achieved a world record. Which one average speed modern aircraft? Read

Subsequently, copies of this aircraft flew without any problems.

If you ask what year the first airplane was built, you will most likely be told 1906. Since it was this year that Dumont's plane was tested.

Many of its supporters operate on the fact that the Wrights' apparatus could not take off on its own, under normal weather conditions.

Wright supporters object that the plane was still flying on its own engine. Disputes on this topic continue to this day.

Alexander Mikhailovich Mozhaisky

Rear Admiral Russian Empire, during the reign of Emperor Alexander II, Alexander Mikhailovich was very interested in aircraft and is one of the pioneers in world aviation. Including domestic ones.

Many Soviet and Russian scientists and historians consider his project to be the world's first attempt to create an aircraft.

He began designing it back in 1877. However, the work was delayed for a reason typical for Russia - state commissions refused to provide him with the necessary cash for research.

After numerous battles with bureaucrats, he received the required amount. And that was largely thanks to the personal instructions of the emperor.

At first, Alexander Mikhailovich wanted to use only the internal combustion engines that had appeared at that time. But they had one significant drawback - they were too heavy. Therefore, he decided to choose the most lightweight model of a steam engine.

To acquire them, he went first to America and then to England. In London he ordered two steam engines, and they were ready by 1881.

The remaining parts were manufactured at the Baltic Shipyard, with money donated to Mozhaisky by various private individuals.

In 1880, he also received a patent for the first aircraft in Russia. By 1883 he completed its assembly. For his testing, he was allocated a field in Krasnoe Selo, near St. Petersburg.

Model of Mozhaisky's aircraft

The exact date of the aircraft's testing is unknown. It has been established for certain that the first flight took place in 1884. The device even took off from the ground, but, due to its instability, tilted to the side and fell.

Further tests and research were not carried out due to lack of financial resources.

So, we have traced the fate of the first airplanes in the world. I think that to the question – when did the first plane appear – you also already know the answer. But who was the pioneer in this field?

In fact, each of the above are scientists. After all, they all started, essentially, from scratch, and therefore made their contribution to the development of aviation technology and the exploration of celestial space.

People have long dreamed of conquering airspace. In past centuries, various aircraft were created. Subsequently, their designs, as well as some elements, began to be used in the development of more modernized aircraft. A little time passed when the first airplane in the world was created.

Aviation history

George Cayley created several in the 18th century scientific works on the topic “Construction of aircraft.” In them, he spoke in detail about the capabilities of modern aircraft prototypes.

Note. He made observations of birds. He measured their flight speed, altitude, and wingspan.

The American designer imagined the aircraft in the form of a boat with a tail. The movement of the entire structure was provided by oars. They transmitted rotation to the shank in the form of a cross, which was located at the end of the aircraft.

The history of aircraft manufacturing began in 1842. At this time, William Henson received an order to develop a design for an aircraft. The designer created a propeller-driven aircraft. The propeller lifted the ship and also ensured its movement. It is worth noting that some of Henson’s ideas are still used by modern aircraft designers.

History of aircraft Russian production began in the 20th century. Inventor N. A. Teleshov first patented the “Aeronautics Systems” project. The aircraft had to fly by means of propeller and a steam engine.

A little later, the same designer proposed creating a jet aircraft. Developments were carried out on the basis of his patented design. The aircraft was supposed to transport passengers in a closed aircraft body. Moreover, this device had to be reactive. After this, the rapid development of aviation technology began. Modern models aircraft amaze with their technical and flight characteristics.

The first aircraft in the world and Russia

The first person to invent an airplane in the whole world was Anthony Fokker. This event took place in 1910. He took the first de Spin into the sky. Unfortunately, the aircraft did not overcome long distance. He crashed into a tree. Fokker did not stop his experiments there.

Anthony Fokker

In 1911, he created a company, which already in 1915 produced the first fighter aircraft. It was thanks to this air machine that Germany managed to change the course of the First World War.

Aircraft characteristics:

1. The wing span of the aircraft reached 8.53 m;
2. The fuselage length is 6.76 m, and the height is 2.89 m;
3. The plane developed a cruising speed of 132 km/h.

Note. The company existed until 1996.

The first person to invent an airplane in Russia was Alexander Mozhaisky. This happened in 1876. At that time he was testing with a small boat on which wings were mounted. The secular press of that time was interested in the unusual structure. Publications about him appeared in various publications.

Alexander Mozhaisky

This invention was not ignored by Dmitry Ivanovich Mendeleev. At that time, the scientist was known throughout the world. It was he who convinced the commission of the Main Engineering Directorate to sponsor the experiments.

Note. At that time, the country was skeptical about inventors of this kind. For this reason, Mozhaisky was unable to complete his experiments.

1881-1886 - start of testing of the aircraft. All attempts to stay in the airspace as long as possible were unsuccessful. In 1890, the designer died without finishing his work. Many argue that if he had more time and finances, modern aircraft would have appeared much earlier.

The first passenger planes

The man who laid the foundation for the creation of passenger aircraft was Alberto Santos-Dumont. Initially he designed balloons and airships. In 1905, he completed work on the design of the first flying machine. Already in 1906, the designer made the first flight on an airplane own production. The air machine was called Oiseau de proie or 14-bis. Translated, this name means “Bird of Prey.”

Alberto Santos-Dumont and his 14-bis

First flight characteristics:

• height - 2-3 m;
• range - 220 m;
• flight time - 22 seconds.

The aircraft was equipped with removable landing gear.

Looking at the aircraft design experience of the Wright brothers and Santos-Dumont, the Russian government decided to begin its development in this area. The only nuance was that at that time there were no designers in Russia with experience in creating aircraft. Many of them have never seen these cars.

The first Russian aircraft, which was able to fly several tens of meters without an accident, was created by professor Polytechnic Institute Kyiv by Alexander Kudashev. In 1910, he flew in an air machine of his own production.

Igor Sikorsky adopted the experience of designer Kudashev. He created the Ilya Muromets aircraft. This is the first passenger aircraft to be equipped with partitions. They divided the cabin into different compartments: a sleeping area, an entertainment compartment, a restaurant and a bathroom.

Development by Igor Sikorsky

In 1913, a significant event took place. The plane took off for the first time. A year later, a presentation flight took place. There were 16 passengers on board.

The first military aircraft

The aircraft, which managed to get off the ground and also spend a short amount of time in the air, was the development of the Wright brothers. Orville and Wilbur designed it in 1900. The Wright brothers' first plane was called Flyer 1. Its first flight took place in 1903.

Wright Brothers

The aircraft spent about 59 seconds in the air. In this short time, it flew 260 m. Already in 1904, the model was modified. A year later, the plane flew a distance of 39 km.

Aircraft characteristics:

• wingspan - 12 m;
• weight - 283 kg;
• power plant power - 9 kW;
• power plant weight - 77 kg.

The gasoline engine that accelerated the car to required speed, was mounted on wooden frame. The plane had no landing gear. Instead, a catapult was used for launch. It was equipped with a direction flight made of wood. The Wright brothers spent about $1,000 to create such an aircraft. USA.

Jets

The idea of ​​​​creating a jet aircraft belongs to the inventor Teleshov. It was brought to life by designer A. Coanda in 1910. Attempts to start the plane using the engine were unsuccessful.

Already in 1939, a jet aircraft was launched. The tests were carried out by the German company Heinkel. The aircraft prototype could develop high speed in a short time. He flew at an altitude of 60 meters.

There were certain errors in the design:

• significant fuel consumption;
• incorrect choice of power plant;
• constant need for refueling.

In view of last reason, the plane could not fly more than 50 km. The model was not released into mass production because design errors were not corrected.

In 1946, a new aircraft was developed with jet engine. The achievement belongs to the American company Bell Aircraft. The Bell X-1 aircraft could fly at an altitude of 24,400 m. It reached a speed of 2,720 km/h.

Interesting fact! This aircraft made 80 flights.

In 1949, the aircraft rose to a height of 7600 m and reached a speed of 273 km/h in 1 second.

Supersonic aircraft

The Bell X-1 aircraft is rightfully considered supersonic. It was the one that was equipped rocket engine XLR-11 brand. The aircraft reached supersonic speed in controlled flight.

The F-100 is considered the first American-made production fighter aircraft. He flew in 1953. The first Russian-made supersonic fighter was the MiG19. He flew in 1952. Serial production of this model began in 1954.

F-100
MiG19

The first supersonic passenger aircraft was the domestic Tu-144. It was developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau in the 60s. Another supersonic aircraft was the French Concorde. These aircraft were operated efficiently for many years. After several unsuccessful flights, as well as the unprofitability of the program for their creation, the devices were withdrawn from aircraft fleets. These models are currently in storage.

Watch a video about how the plane was created

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The inventor of the first aircraft was Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaisky, a graduate of the St. Petersburg Maritime School. Carrying out naval service for 25 years, Mozhaisky gained extensive experience in building the first naval ships equipped with steam engines.

Since 1856, his area of ​​interest expanded: he began to conduct research on the possibility of creating an aircraft that would be heavier than air. The inventor carefully studied the kinematics of bird wings and, based on the data obtained, concluded: an airplane wing must be stationary. To study the resistance of air flows to a moving body, the Mozhaisk special testing device carried out serious measurements of aerodynamic forces.

To check the calculations, the design scientist conducted interesting experiments: he flew into the air on a large kite, which was pulled by a horse harness. That's how he picked optimal slopes wing and air operation propellers. Mozhaisky built various flying models, the engines were rubber bands or clock springs. The models tested a fuselage in the shape of a boat, and the aircraft's flight control rudders were also tested. Gradually he achieved that his models could fly several tens of meters, and also withstand a certain load during flight (an officer's dagger).

Mozhaisky's main merit is that he laid the foundation for experimental aerodynamics and established important aerodynamic relationships. All these developments were useful in the process of creating his first aircraft.

The strict commission did not support Mozhaisky’s aspirations and did not allocate money for the necessary tests. The designer's project was treated with distrust, believing that the aircraft should be mobile relative to its body.

The inventor of his family estate in order to buy a patent and build an airplane with his own money. In the summer of 1882, the designer began construction of the aircraft. There is not enough money again, Mozhaisky again turns to the government and is again refused. With his last funds, Alexander Fedorovich still finishes the construction of the aircraft. The first tests begin, first on the ground, and then in the air. The second ones turned out to be not entirely successful: the plane accelerated, took off, flew several tens of meters, tilted and touched the ground with its wing. It was necessary to increase the engine power. The military leadership was not particularly inspired by these tests, believing that the plane should have flown right away.

After these events, for another five years, Mozhaisky, without any outside help, tried to improve his apparatus. Unfortunately, he did not have time to complete his work. And only in 1903, a simpler design

Russia approached the First World War with the largest air fleet. But big things started small. And today we want to talk about the very first Russian aircraft.

Mozhaisky's plane

The monoplane of Rear Admiral Alexander Mozhaisky became the first aircraft built in Russia and one of the first in the world. The construction of the aircraft began with theory and ended with the construction of a working model, after which the project was approved by the War Ministry. Steam engines Mozhaisky’s designs were ordered from the English company Arbecker-Hamkens, which led to the disclosure of the secret - the drawings were published in the Engineering magazine in May 1881. It is known that the airplane had propellers, a fuselage covered with fabric, a wing covered with balloon silk, a stabilizer, elevators, a keel and landing gear. The weight of the aircraft was 820 kilograms.
The aircraft was tested on July 20, 1882 and was unsuccessful. The airplane was accelerated along inclined rails, after which it rose into the air, flew several meters, fell on its side and fell, breaking its wing.
After the accident, the military lost interest in the development. Mozhaisky tried to modify the airplane, ordered more powerful engines. However, in 1890 the designer died. The military ordered the plane to be removed from the field, and its further fate is unknown. The steam engines were stored for some time at the Baltic Shipyard, where they burned down in a fire.

Kudashev's plane

The first Russian aircraft to be tested successfully was a biplane designed by design engineer Prince Alexander Kudashev. He built the first gasoline-powered airplane in 1910. During testing, the airplane flew 70 meters and landed safely.
The weight of the aircraft was 420 kilograms. The wingspan, covered with rubberized fabric, is 9 meters. The Anzani engine installed on the plane had a power of 25.7 kW. Kudashev managed to fly this plane only 4 times. During the next landing, the airplane crashed into a fence and broke down.
Afterwards, Kudashev designed three more modifications of the aircraft, each time making the design lighter and increasing engine power.
"Kudashev-4" was demonstrated at the first Russian International Aeronautical Exhibition in St. Petersburg, where it received a silver medal from the Imperial Russian Technical Society. The plane could reach a speed of 80 km/h and had a 50 hp engine. The fate of the airplane was sad - it was crashed at an aviator competition.

"Russia-A"

The Rossiya-A biplane was produced in 1910 by the First All-Russian Aeronautics Partnership.
It was built based on the Farman airplane design. At the III International Automobile Exhibition in St. Petersburg, it received a silver medal from the Military Ministry and was purchased by the All-Russian Imperial Aero Club for 9 thousand rubles. A curious detail: until this moment he had not even taken off into the air.
What distinguished Rossiya-A from the French aircraft was high quality finish. The covering of the wings and empennage was double-sided, the Gnome engine had 50 hp. and accelerated the plane to 70 km/h.
Flight tests were carried out on August 15, 1910 at the Gatchina airfield. And the plane flew more than two kilometers. A total of 5 copies of the Rossiya were built.

"Russian Knight"

The Russian Knight biplane became the world's first four-engine aircraft designed for strategic reconnaissance. The history of heavy aviation began with him.
The designer of the Vityaz was Igor Sikorsky.
The plane was built at the Russian-Baltic Carriage Works in 1913. The first model was called “Grand” and had two engines. Later, Sikorsky placed four 100 hp engines on the wings. every. In front of the cabin there was a platform with a machine gun and a searchlight. The plane could lift 3 crew members and 4 passengers into the air.
On August 2, 1913, the Vityaz set a world record for flight duration - 1 hour 54 minutes.
"Vityaz" crashed at a military aircraft competition. An engine fell out of a flying Meller-II and damaged the planes of the biplane. They did not restore it. Based on the Vityaz, Sikorsky designed a new aircraft, the Ilya Muromets, which became the national pride of Russia.

"Sikorsky S-16"

The aircraft was developed in 1914 by order of the Military Department and was a biplane with an 80 hp Ron engine, which accelerated the S-16 to 135 km/h.
Operation revealed positive qualities aircraft, serial production began. At first, the S-16 served to train pilots for the Ilya Muromets; in World War I it was equipped with a Vickers machine gun with a Lavrov synchronizer and was used for reconnaissance and escort of bombers.
The first air combat of the S-16 took place on April 20, 1916. On that day, warrant officer Yuri Gilscher shot down an Austrian plane with a machine gun.
The S-16 quickly became unusable. If at the beginning of 1917 there were 115 aircraft in the “Squadron of Airships,” then by the fall there were 6 of them left. The remaining aircraft went to the Germans, who handed them over to Hetman Skoropadsky, and then went to the Red Army, but some of the pilots flew to the Whites. One S-16 was included in the aviation school in Sevastopol.

In 1895 one of greatest physicists, President of the Royal Society for the Advancement of Natural Sciences of London, William Thomson (Lord Kelvin), stated: “Heavier-than-air aircraft are impossible!” The statement seemed quite reasonable at the time.

If by airplane we mean a controlled aircraft that is heavier than air, then the world's first flight of such a vehicle took place on December 17, 1903. The plane was called Flyer 1 and was designed by the American Wright brothers. During its first flight, the apparatus flew as much as 37 meters in 12 seconds at an altitude of about 3 meters. On the same day, this plane made a flight 260 meters long. In total, this world's first aircraft made 4 flights.

the first landings were not always soft

The world's first airplane was made of wood and stood on it gasoline engine with double wooden propeller. Flyer 1 could only take off in a headwind and from special rails. The engine of the world's first airplane was connected to the propeller by a bicycle chain. The wingspan of Flyer-1 was 12 meters and the aircraft weighed only 283 kilograms, of which the engine weighed 77 kg. Currently, the world's first aircraft is a museum exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution, in the US capital Washington.

first flight in New York

The Wright brothers are rightfully considered pioneers of aviation, but the fact that it was they who flew the first airplane is not recognized by everyone. In 1906, the Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont flew his 14 bis plane, which was more advanced than the Wright brothers' plane and could take off without a headwind. Therefore, Brazil officially recognizes Santos Dumont as the creator of the world's first aircraft.

The first aviation experienced a series of design failures and many experiments. Some models never took to the skies.

but the main proof of flight was the lifting force of the wings.

Accordingly, an error appeared - if you increase the number of wings, the lifting force will be greater..

first attempts to take off from a ship

At first there was serious competition between aircraft. The military experimented with airships and airplanes; the airplanes won the argument - they were more successful in landing on water (splashdowns).

The first air races served as a real breakthrough to the development of aviation.

Brazilian Santos-Dumont in one of the first flights on his plane “14 bis” in Paris

the first cat in the world to fly across the English Channel in an airplane (I don’t know his name)

Chicago. First Airmail Flight; Grant Park, 1918.

The military does not abandon the idea of ​​​​using a newfangled invention in wars. The pictures show the first Fokkers.

Meanwhile, in Russia, on December 23, 1913, the heavy four-engine bomber Ilya Muromets, designed by aircraft designer Igor Sikorsky, made at the Russian Baltic Wagon Plant, Aviation Department, made its first flight. And on December 23, 1914, by Decree of Emperor Nicholas II, the world's first squadron of these aircraft was formed. Thanks also to these machines, the Imperial Air Force at the beginning of World War I was one of the best air fleets peace. This date is generally considered to be the day of the creation of Russian long-range (strategic) aviation. Since 1999, this is the Day of Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Air Force.

The “Russian hero” could carry an unprecedented amount of weapons - several machine guns, large bombs and even an artillery piece. By the way, in the photo in the center is artillery officer Captain A.N. Zhuravchenko - chief specialist EVC on armaments, later professor at the Moscow Aviation Institute

The bombs on the Ilya Muromets were modernized over time, becoming larger and receiving fins for precision bombing.
In the photo: N.E. Zhukovsky near a heavy bomb for the Ilya Muromets aircraft

dropping a bomb from Ilya Muromets.

Here is the verbatim story of crew member M.N. Nikolsky, at that time a senior mechanic of the Squadron. “We have such devices. The sight is in the hatch, I am on my knees in front of it. Nearby, opposite the bomb hatch, there is already a cassette hanging, and I, pulling the lever, drop the first one. Then either I push the cassette or I command “Go!”, and the bombs rush into the hatch in a crowd and fall on the doomed. There is a horn hanging on my neck. A signal to the pilot - one beep - pay attention to the arrow below, on which he is “stringing” the target. We have already agreed on the course where to approach, based on meteorological data. Now, if I need to take a little to the right or to the left, I move the lever with the gear and the arrow twitches in front of the pilot, indicating: right-right or left-left Keep it up again - freeze! ! I check the level on the sight. The target is approaching - two beeps. The pilot turns, makes a circle and again approaches the target. Another series of beeps flies. , and that's enough. Bombs, let's go home. This is classic bombing."

Russian inventor Igor Sikorsky at the helm of the Ilya Muromets

Due to the significant damage suffered by enemy aircraft, the world's first "early detection" systems against air strikes began to appear. However, their effectiveness was not always effective, because The sound of a possible air raid was mixed with many earthly sounds, for example, the creaking of carts in the surrounding villages and the bleating of cattle))

Attempts to place barrage airships in the path of bombers.

but very rare photograph Igor Sikorsky is already in the USA after one of the test flights