***Aviation has developed massively since its first days that saw many risk life and limb flying gliders and kites right through to space travel and supersonic flights.

Kites and hot air balloons

Physicists played a huge part in the creation of modern-day aerodynamics with Newton's laws of motion and studies of fluid dynamics being major contributors to what many now take for granted. Back in 200BC Chinese emperors regularly attached prisoners to kites made from paper; the majority of whom died from the fall. In the third century hot air balloons were used for signalling for military reasons but it wasn't until the 18th century that they became manned.

The first hot air balloon flight carrying humans was recorded in 1783 when the Montgolfier brothers invented a balloon that was fuelled by a wood fire and took its passengers to wherever the wind was blowing.

Gliders and airships

A few hundred years after the introduction of the first hot air balloons, the first flight on a glider was recorded in Spain when Abbas Ibn Firnas successfully took to the skies in the ninth century. By the 15th century famous names such as Leonardo da Vinci were attempting to express their art through flight designs of gliders but none were ever made.

By the 19th century many would-be-inventors had come to a gruesome end after taking flight but then crash landing. However, by the 20th century the simple yet effective form of gliding was mastered and is now a popular way to fly short distances; mainly for leisure.

Airships were used as a steerable version of the first hot air balloons in the 18th and 19th centuries and are known as 'lighter than air' aircraft. Although they still exist today, their development in the aviation sector has been overshadowed by the more successful 'heavier than air' aircraft.

Aircrafts

In the beginning of the 18th century, Emanuel Swedenborg designed what resembled an aircraft as we know it today: a robust canvas stretched over a light frame with two wings either side. Although the inventor was aware that his invention would not take off, he was sure that the problem would be solved (and he was correct, but it was after his lifetime). The physics involved in flying were devoured at the end of the 18th century and the lift and drag problems, along with issues involving gravity, were studied in depth until, in 1853, Sir George Cayley flew a full scale version of an aircraft near Scarborough in Yorkshire.

From then on, numerous versions of aircraft were designed ranging from those powered by steam to those drawn by horses! The Wright Brothers, however, took the aviation industry by storm when theyapplied their knowledge of bicycle mechanics to design an aircraft that revolutionised the world of aviation when its 1903 maiden flight was successful.

Passenger aircraft were introduced by Boeing after the First World War but many people were dubious about flying and airlines attempted to win them over in the late 1920s by introducing on-board air stewards. By the 1930s, transatlantic flights were taking place and many routes covered European and American flightpaths. The Second World War saw commercial aviation grind to a halt although post-war quickly witnessed a huge progression in commercial flights that has since grown into an industry that has welcomed Concorde, spaceships and the new giant Airbus A380.

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Over the last 50 years Air Partner has been providing the highest standards in private aviation services. It is the only aviation company to have received a Royal Warrant from HM Queen Elizabeth II. Air Partner is recognised as a leading provider of private jets with a dedicated team specifically for VIPs.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

***Are you thinking about a trip to beautiful Florence, Italy? Many tourists choose to travel to this city for its wonderful culture, art, and food, but make one major mistake: choosing to stay in a hotel rather than one of the many luxury apartments in Florence. Below, we’ve listed 10 of the best reasons for deciding on the latter.

Cost: Most people will find that renting an apartment works out to be less money in the long run than staying in a hotel. This is especially true for larger parties.

An Authentic Experience: The Sheraton, Marriot, or Hyatt in Italy will give you much the same experience as the Sheraton, Marriot, or Hyatt in whatever country you’re from. These global behemoths have standardized service and décor.

Luxury: A lavishly appointed Florence apartment will 9 times out of 10 blow away a similar offering from a hotel of the same cost, because homeowners take much more pride in their accommodation, and have much more imagination when it comes to decorating.

Location: A small residence is likely to be closer to the major attractions, especially in the tight streets of Florence that forbid the building of enormous hotels.

A Kitchen: Save your family money by cooking in some of the nights of your vacation, rather than eating out. Nearly all rental apartments in Florence come fully equipped to satisfy your every culinary whim, with a full set of pots, pans, dishes, and utensils.

The Personal Touch: Who knows Italy better? A hotel designer flown in from out of country, or someone who has grown up in Florence, immersed in the culture? By choosing one of the vacation apartments in Florence, you’ll enjoy the personal touch of a real human being.

Meet the Neighbors: Would you rather stay next door to hotel guests, or real Italians who can show you exactly what it means to live the Bella Vita? Staying in an apartment will put you into contact with locals, who can recommend the local spots that the concierge at the hotel keeps to himself.

Privacy: Especially important for couples looking for a romantic retreat, a private apartment provides much more privacy and seclusion. There’s no need to walk through a busy hotel lobby, subject to the glances of everyone around. With your own private residency, you can come and go as you please without having to deal with others. And of course, you’ll never be kept up late at night by loud parties.

Keep Your Party Together: If you’re traveling with more than a few people, Florence apartment rentals are a great way to go because everyone can stay together, enjoying meals and relaxing, instead of holed up in their rooms all day.

Flexibility: Most apartment renters will be much more willing to work with your needs than their counterparts at large hotels. Arriving earlier than expected? While a hotel would have you wait in the lobby, it is likely that you’ll be able to check into your apartment ahead of the scheduled time.

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Andrea Fibbi works as press officer for http://www.apetouring.com , a Tuscan Real Estate Agency specialized in the offer of vacation apartments in Florence and other types of Tuscany holiday rentals.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com