Did you know that we can fly planes at supersonic speeds, and have been since 1947? Or that airliners must go 160 mph for their wings to produce enough lift for the plane to take off? Yet for most of human history, people gazed at birds in awe of their mastery of flight. The secret of flight wasn't cracked until the beginning of the twentieth century. This book explores how our understanding of the science of flight has improved, creating aircraft that are bigger and faster than the Wright brothers ever dreamed of. It covers helicopters, jet-planes, rocket-planes, planes big enough to carry hundreds of people, planes that can fly faster than the speed of sound, and even flying machines small enough to strap on your back. Features include funny and interesting illustrations; real-world science examples; side panels to tackle complex subject matter in a fun and relevant way; detailed glossary and more.