Aircraft vs airplane – are both the same?

People have been using many terms alternatively, but do all of them mean the same? Airplane and Aeroplane are commonly interchanged, but they mean the same. Its just how they spell (Airplane – American English and Aeroplane -British English). 

Video Credits: The Hash Academy

But what is the case with aircraft and airplane? Do you know an airplane is an aircraft but an aircraft is not just airplane! Seems confusing isn’t it?

Aircraft is defined as “any vehicle / machine that derives support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air” by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Aircraft don’t include machine which derive support in the atmosphere by reaction of air against Earth’s surface such as wig-craft. 

So what are aircraft’s?

Almost all of the flying vehicles such as airplanes, helicopters, airships, gliders, para-motors and hot air balloons are categorised within aircraft. Vehicles operating in space that does not require air to operate are called spacecraft.

Video Credits: AVIATION A2Z

What is an airplane?

An airplane is a powered fixed wing aircraft. For Example, almost all of the commercial airliners passengers fly, are airplane. This proves the afore mentioned saying 

“All airplane are aircraft, but all aircraft aren’t airplane”

 Hope next time you will use these terms with clarity.