Aviation is the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. Aircraft includes fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air craft such as hot air balloons and airships.

Aviation history began in the 18th century with the development of the hot air balloon, an apparatus capable of atmospheric displacement through buoyancy. Some of the most significant advancements in aviation technology came with the controlled gliding flying of Otto Lilienthal in 1896. The next large step in significance came with the construction of the first powered airplane by the Wright brothers in the early 1900s. Since that time, aviation has been technologically revolutionized by the introduction of the jet which permitted a major form of transport throughout the world.

Civil Aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices for civil aviation through that agency.

Civil aviation includes two major categories:

• Scheduled Air Transport, including all passenger and cargo flights operating on regularly scheduled routes; 
• General Aviation (GA), including all other civil flights, private or commercial.

There are five major manufacturers of Civil Transport Aircraft:

• Airbus, based in Europe;
• Boeing, based in the United States;
• Bombardier, based in Canada;
• Embraer, based in Brazil;
• United Aircraft Corporation, based in Russia.

General Aviation includes all non-scheduled civil flying, both private and commercial. It may include business flights, air charter, private aviation, flight training, ballooning, paragliding, parachuting, gliding, hang gliding, aerial photography, foot-launched powered hang gliders, air ambulance, crop dusting, charter flights, traffic reporting, police air patrols, and forest fire fighting.

Each country regulates aviation differently, but general aviation usually falls under different regulations depending on whether it is private or commercial and on the type of equipment involved. Many small aircraft manufacturers serve the general aviation market, with a focus on private aviation and flight training.

The most important recent developments for small aircraft (which form the bulk of the GA fleet) have been the introduction of advanced avionics (including GPS) that were formerly found only in large airliners, and the introduction of composite materials to make small aircraft lighter and faster. Ultralight and homebuilt aircraft have also become increasingly popular for recreational use since in most countries that allow private aviation, they are much less expensive and less heavily regulated than certified aircraft.

5 reasons why to choose Aviation as a career:

• Travel Opportunities

Job in Aviation can suggest a wide range of career opportunities and overseas internships for graduates of such specialties. Whilst working for an airline can be very demanding, it’s hard to find a better industry for travel opportunities. Some of the jobs require extensive travel. Pilots and flight attendants for example could visit nearly ten cities on several different continents in one five-day shift. 

• Meeting New People

In such a dynamic, fast-paced industry, a job in the Aviation industry means that you’re part of a bigger picture, helping to keep things moving and keeping up with the speed at which things happen. Working for an airline or airport doesn’t seem to be a boring, stagnant job. It offers a variety of opportunities and communication abilities daily, not only with the people you’ll meet. 

This is another big reason why candidates are drawn to working for an airline or airport. It allows them to meet new people daily. Those that work in airports enjoy the chance to meet interesting people because the airport is the place through which came more than thousands of persons every day. Flight attendants also often state that they chose their job because of the variety of interesting people it enables them to meet.

• The Opportunity to Develop your Career

As a business, it’s in the best interest of airlines and airports to continue and provide developing processes for their employees, so they ensure employees’ training and career development. Along with annual reviews, some offer an annual financial incentive scheme to ensure recognition of employees’ contributions.

• Company Benefits

While airport jobs generally receive fewer travel opportunities, they are often considered well-paid jobs with excellent benefits. Working in airports gives young people a wide range of opportunities and possibilities for self-development and ensuring a successful career. 

• Lifestyle Benefits

Airlines and airports also recognize how important for them to make their employees enjoy life outside of work and to ensure their happiness and development at work. With so many benefits of working in the aviation industry, it’s not surprising that you may have decided aviation is the industry for you. Once you decide which position best matches your skills and knowledge, it’s time to try something new!