Fixed-wing aircraft

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Revision as of 19:36, 17 November 2007 by imported>Dan Nachbar (added image)
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The Boeing 747 is one of the largest fixed-wing aircraft ever built.

Fixed-wing aircraft, also called airplanes (American) and aeroplanes (British) are vehicles that fly by moving forward in the Earth's atmosphere.

These aircraft remain aloft through the use of aerodynamic lift wherein Some or all of the vehicle is shaped as an airfoil.

Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft such as helicopters and gyroplanes which have an airfoil that moves with respect to the aircraft itself.