What is the Difference Between Aeronautics and Aviation

The main difference between aeronautics and aviation is their focus. Aeronautics involves the study of the science, design, and manufacture of flying vehicles while aviation involves flying or operating an aircraft and various activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry.

Both aeronautics and aviation deal with the study of aircraft. Aeronautics is a vast field that requires the expertise of several disciplines like engineering, rocketry, aerodynamics, aeronautical science and aviation.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Aeronautics 
     – Definition, Branches
2. What is Aviation
     – Definition, Types
3. What is the Relationship Between Aeronautics and Aviation
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Aeronautics and Aviation
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Aeronautics, Aircraft, Aviation

What is Aeronautics

Aeronautics is basically the study of the science of flight. It involves the study of the science, design, and manufacture of flying vehicles. Developing a flying vehicle is a huge endeavour and thus requires the expertise of several fields, including engineering, aviation, rocketry, aerodynamics, aeronautical science and navigation. In fact, aeronautics is divided into three main branches as aeronautical science, aviation and aeronautical engineering. Moreover, aerodynamics, the discipline concerned with the motion of air and how it interacts with objects in motion, also plays an important role in aeronautics.

Although we generally associate aeronautics with vehicles like aeroplanes and helicopters, which fly only in the air, this field also includes spacecraft like rockets that pass through the air to reach space. Furthermore, Sir George Cayley is widely recognized as the founder of modern aeronautics.

What is Aviation

Aviation refers to flying or operating an aircraft. We also use this term to refer to various activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. Some of these activities involve air traffic control, rules of the air, maintenance of airport and aircraft, etc.

The beginning of aviation can be traced back to the development of the hot air balloon in the 18th century. This invention was then followed by the controlled gliding flying of Otto Lilienthal in 1896 and the construction of the first powered aeroplane by Wright brothers. Since that time, aviation has seen some remarkable technological advancements, which have resulted in aircraft capable of transporting hundreds of passengers across the world.

Based on their purpose, aviation can be classified into civil aviation and military aviation. Civil aviation includes all non-military flying, including private and commercial aviation. Moreover, general aviation includes business flights, air charter, flight training, paragliding, parachuting, gliding, ballooning, aerial photography, air ambulance, crop dusting, traffic reporting, etc. Military aviation includes various types of aircrafts such as fighter planes, bombers, ground attack aircraft, surveillance aircraft, etc.

Relationship Between Aeronautics and Aviation

• Both aeronautics and aviation deal with the study of aircraft.
• Aeronautics is a vast field that requires the expertise of several disciplines such as engineering, rocketry, aerodynamics, aeronautical science and navigation. Aviation is a major branch of aeronautics.

Difference Between Aeronautics and Aviation

Definition

Aeronautics is the study of the science, design, and manufacture of flying vehicles while aviation refers to flying or operating an aircraft.

Focus

While aeronautics involves the science, design and manufacture of aircraft, aviation focuses on operating an aircraft, and activities involved in mechanical flight and the aircraft industry.

Conclusion

Aeronautics involves the study of the science, design, and manufacture of flying vehicles while aviation involves flying or operating an aircraft and various activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. Thus, this is the main difference between aeronautics and aviation.

Reference:

1. “Aeronautics.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 June 2020, Available here.
2. “Aviation.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 June 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Green, white, airliner, inside, building, airbus, production, completion, aircraft, assemble” (CC0) via Pxfuel.com
2. “Luithansa commercial plane on flight” (CC0) via Peakpx.com

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