Avijacija

Avijacija, in Slavic languages often written avijacija, is the practice and industry concerned with flight and aircraft. It encompasses the design, production, operation, and use of aircraft, as well as the systems and institutions that support air travel and air operations.

Historically, avijacija emerged from early experiments in ballooning and aviation pioneers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in powered flight by the Wright brothers in 1903. Since then it has grown into a global network of civil and military aviation, expanding transport services, military capability, and scientific knowledge about flight.

Key components include aircraft manufacturing (airframes, engines, avionics), air transport (airlines, freight), general aviation (private flying, flight training), and air traffic management (airspace control, airports, navigation aids). The field also covers maintenance, aviation safety, and the development of supporting infrastructure such as air bases and training institutions.

Regulation and safety are central to avijacija. Civil aviation authorities, international bodies like ICAO and IATA, and national regulators set standards for certification, licensing, airworthiness, and operations. Safety management systems, incident reporting, and ongoing audits aim to reduce risk and improve reliability across all segments of air travel.

Economically, avijacija supports mobility, trade, and tourism, providing millions of jobs and enabling global connectivity. Current trends include environmental sustainability, with research into sustainable aviation fuels and electric or hybrid propulsion, as well as advances in air traffic efficiency, automation, and the use of unmanned aircraft in various sectors.