Flying holds a kind of fascination for everyone, whether you're the type of person who loves flying, or someone who would have to be drugged before they would get onboard an aeroplane.

Ever since humans have been on the face of the earth we have had a fascination with flying, this is probably because we can't.  We have the ability to run, jump, walk, climb and move around in a similar fashion to the majority of the animals on the face of the planet, and have found other methods of getting around as well.  We learnt to swim in the seas and rivers and went on to build crafts that could float and transport us great distances.  In fact we managed to reach all Four Corners of the globe with our ingenuity and determination, we had conquered the surface of the planet.  We were even venturing below ground and underwater, however the one thing we could not emulate was flying.  The skies were full of flying creatures that had the freedom to come and go as they please, and all Man could do was watch on in awe.

The following pages will look at Man's fascination with flying, from the very early days, through the 20th century when Man's dreams have been achieved up to the present with today's modern 'Glass Cockpit' aircraft, with a glance at what the future may have install.

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Last Updated 12-01-99
Feedback: Peter A Johnstone