luftfordon

Luftfordon is a vehicle that can fly within the Earth's atmosphere. It encompasses both heavier-than-air craft and lighter-than-air craft, including airplanes, helicopters, gliders, autogyros, balloons and airships, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones). The term is used in Swedish aviation discourse to describe the full spectrum of aircraft and related flying machines. The word excludes spacecraft and suborbital vehicles that leave the atmosphere.

The history of luftfordon spans ballooning in the 18th century, powered flight in the early 20th century, and rapid development through the jet age. Early balloons demonstrated buoyancy-based flight; the Wright brothers achieved the first controlled powered flight in 1903, spurring many aviation technologies. Rotorcraft led to helicopters in the 1940s. In recent decades, there has been rapid growth in lightweight aircraft, general aviation, and remotely piloted systems.

Categories of luftfordon can be broadly divided into heavier-than-air craft (airplanes, helicopters, gliders, autogyros) and lighter-than-air craft (hot-air and gas balloons, airships). Modern propulsion includes piston engines, turbine engines, electric motors, and hybrids. Control systems range from manual cockpit controls to automated avionics and autonomous flight.

Regulation is national and international: authorities issue type certificates and airworthiness regulations, require pilot licensing, and manage air traffic control. Safety, noise, environmental impact, and privacy are important considerations. Today luftfordon support a wide array of uses, including transportation, commerce, research, surveillance, and recreation, and continue to evolve through electrification, autonomy, and urban air mobility.