The field of aviation is filled with many aircraft, but most of which are built purposely for commercial and private use. They are built with convenience and ease and mind, so you’ll never really expect to see something out of the usual. However, there are some manufacturers or perhaps people that are up for the challenge to break the norm. In this article, we’ll be looking at some aircraft that are recognized as the largest of all time.
Stratolaunch – Largest wingspan in aviation history
Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft spearheaded the creation of Stratolaunch, a weird and extraordinary looking aircraft. The Stratolaunch is a combination of two fuselages which made its wingspan even wider and its weight even heavier. Each of the fuselages is already large on its own, but when fused, they make up a gigantic aircraft that towers above any commercial flights. The Stratolaunch is still set to have its flight and for now, is on standby.
Hughes H-4 Hercules – Largest wingspan that took flight
The Hughes H-4 Hercules only flew for over 20 seconds for over a kilometer, however, this aircraft has already become part of human history since its first flight in 1947. It wasn’t able to fly once again, but it will forever be remembered as one of the largest aircraft to ever exist. If you want to see how it looks, its prototype can be seen in the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, which is located in Oregon.
Airbus A380-800 – Largest commercial aircraft based on capacity
With many people gaining access to flight, air traffic has drastically increased over the past two decades. This leads to the creation of the Airbus A380-800, an aircraft that can carry almost 850 passengers. It has been hosted by Emirates, the Dubai-based aircraft service provider, however, with the lack of demand and more passengers, it seems like this hulking aircraft’s future is somewhat unsure. Still, the Airbus A380-800 deserves recognition for its innovation and service to many people.
Antonov An-124 – Largest transport aircraft for the military
The Antonov An-124 is considered to be one of the largest military aircraft to ever exist. It had its first flight in 1982. It has become an aircraft in service for the Russian Military Force. However, it has been also used for cargo purposes because of its carrying capacity.
The world of aviation is full of wonders and innovation and we’re sure that there’s many more to come in the future. For now, let’s appreciate what the world has offered us, and look forward to seeing more impressive things.