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1783 The Montgolfier brothers launched the first hot air balloon
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1852 The first airship, fitted with a steam engine was flown by Henri Giffard from Paris. The airship could only fly forward.
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1903 The Wright Brothers made the first engine powered flight in 'The Flyer'. It flew for 12 seconds and travelled 37 metres.
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1915 The first all metal plane was built by a German, Herman Junkers. It travelled at 170 km an hour.
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1926 The first sea planeHaving one or two floats in place of the usual undercarriage this plane took off from, and landed on, water.
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1930s Flying boats were used to cross oceans because aircraft could not carry enough fuel to travel long distances non-stop. Flying boats could fly between seaports and islands, refuelling as they went. They didn't need runways, and it was thought to be s
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1940 The first practical helicopter which could carry passengers, was developed.
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1969 Commercial jet liners were able to carry over 400 passengers
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The largest passenger aircraft, (so far!) the double-decked, Airbus A380 can carry more than 800 passengers. ( until 2005 )