All too often, the term AIRCRAFT

[rwanttaja]

I think "airplane" is sometimes viewed by non-specialists as an archaic term, like "aeroplane."

When all else fails, check the FAA regulations. 14CFR Part 1 states:

"Aircraft means a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air. "

...and

"Airplane means an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air, that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings. "

Curiously, under FAA regulations, a glider is not an airplane....

Ron Wanttaja

[JohnDBarrow]

non-specialists, laymen

When I was in the Army, there was an old Dept. of the Army technical manual labeled in the shop for an "observation airplane". I'm not sure what US military model it was for.

I know an OH-58 was a military observation helicopter, basically a Bell Jet Ranger like the cops have. They might have otherwise termed GLIDER "thermalplane" instead. Some gliders are termed "sailplane". But do they really SAIL like a boat of ship at sea?