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> It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil,[1] or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet eng

by bargl 11y ago

> It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil,[1] or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft Drones, also have the requirement to be autonomously controlled (UAV), none of your examples meet both requirements. Most don't meet the first, otherwise shooting skeet would be illegal, because they generate more lift then most your other examples.

msandford 11y ago
> It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil,[1] or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines. OK so in that case the paper airplane is an aircraft provided that you fold it to have an airfoil. Done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dof_Ks-f9U https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dof_Ks-f9U Also, if it needs to have a power source, the rubber band helicopter or the rubber band airplane is super legit. That's a power source. My point isn't that I really think that these are aircraft. It's that trying to apply the rules for "mechanical devices which carry people in them" to things which don't carry people is pretty silly.