The Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute: Flights of Inspiration
Franklin Institute site showcases the first flight taken by the Wright brothers. Follows the Wright brothers plan to achieve first flight as they used their failures to win them success in aviation.
A&E Television
History.com: Flight 93
On the morning of September 11, 2001, the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history took place when four commercial airliners were hijacked by members of the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda. The fourth hijacked plane, United Airlines...
University of Chicago
Flights Before the Wrights: Octave Chanute, Chicago
A site that chronicles the life of Octave Chanute, an aeronautical engineer involved in flight before the Wright brothers.
University of Chicago
Flights Before the Wrights: Octave Chanute, Chicago
A site that chronicles the life of Octave Chanute, an aeronautical engineer involved in flight before the Wright brothers.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Evolution of Military Aviation
An interactive timeline lets you see examples of military aircraft that have evolved since the first flight of the Wright brothers. Links at the bottom of the page lead to articles about fighter pilots.
PBS
Freedom: A History of Us: A Plane Flight and a Great Crash
Read a brief description of the attempts to cross the Atlantic in a plane in the 1920s, ending with information about the successful trans-Atlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Wright Brothers: Embracing the Impossible [Pdf]
In this lesson, young scholars explore primary resources to see what people who lived in the early age of flight felt about this innovation. They then compare that response to that towards an invention of today.
Other
Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co.: Aviation's Attic
Explore this virtual museum and learn the history of the Wright brothers and their determination to fly.
Other
Warbirds Resource Group: Luftwaffe Resource Center
This comprehensive site catalogs the planes of the Luftwaffe from 1935 on, and provides detailed specifications on armaments, missiles, bombs and other accessories to air warfare. It does not present a history of their use, but rather a...
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Pioneers of Flight: Amelia Earhart
Illustrated essay on the pioneering step taken by Amelia Earhart when she became, in 1932, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Other
Airship and Blimp Resources: History of Hot Air Airships
Describes the invention of the hot air airship by Don Cameron in the 1970s, and the evolution of its design and production over the years.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Airplanes and Airports: How to Take Off Without Ever Leaving the Ground
Smithsonian Education presents "Airplanes and Airports: How to Take Off Without Ever Leaving the Ground." Teachers can download this teaching package that discusses airplanes and airports. Included in the discussion are the forces of...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Lesson Plan: Black Wings: American Pioneer Aviators
With this resource, teachers can select the most appropriate academic level and download a lesson plan that contains images, Word documents and PDF resources for teaching about the history of black Americans in aviation. Excellent...
The Franklin Institute
Resources for Science Learning: The Wright 1911 Model B Flyer in Flight
See film footage and read brief descriptions of Grover Cleveland Bergdoll's 1911 Model B flyer flight in 1934.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Pioneers of Flight: Civilian Aviation
Even after Lindbergh's famous solo flight, he continued to explore flight and its possibilities. Look inside the Sirius cockpit and then pack up yourself to fly around the world. One problem, however, you only can take on a limited...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Will It Fly?
In this lesson, students will learn about kites and gliders and how these models can help in understanding the concept of flight. Students will design and build their own balsa wood models and experiment with different control surfaces....
Curated OER
National Park Service: Flight 93
The terrorists' takeover of Flight 93 was part of the Attack on America, 9/11. The Park Service has made the crash site of Flight 93 into a national monument in honor of the passengers who developed a plan of action to regain control of...
Ibis Communications
Eye Witness to History: The Wright Brothers First Flight 1903
Orville Wright's account of his and his brother's first three airplane trial flights.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 1362: Flying Across the Atlantic
Article discussing the early flights across the Atlantic. This is a transcript of an accompanying radio broadcast.
NASA
Nasa: Biography of Orville Wright
Provides an interesting biography of the life and accomplishments of Orville Wright. The highlight of this site is the terrific historic photos throughout the text.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Wright Brothers: Invention of the Aerial Age
Biographical details about the Ohio-born Wright brothers, who ushered in the aerial age with their invention of the first powered airplane.
NASA
Nasa: Biography of Wilbur Wright
Provides an interesting biography of the life and accomplishments of Wilbur Wright. The highlight of this site is the terrific historic photos throughout the text.
DOGO Media
Dogo News: Week of 8 11 14: Modern Day Amelia Earhart Circumnavigates the Globe!
Find out about Amelia Rose Earhart, the namesake of the 1930's pilot, and her successful flight around the planet.
Other
Museum of Ancient Greek Technology
This is a virtual exhibition of inventions from ancient Greece that have been reconstructed by Kostas Kotsanas after over two decades of study and research. Click on 'The Museum' link at the top of the page to read an explanation and to...