An aircraft is any vehicle designed to fly through the air. Airplanes, helicopters, gliders, blimps, and hot air balloons are all aircraft, even though they fly in very different ways. Some aircraft have engines that power propellers or jet turbines, while others rely on wind currents or heated air to stay aloft.

People invented aircraft to help achieve one of humanity's oldest dreams: flying like birds. The Wright brothers built the first successful airplane in 1903, and within just a century, aircraft transformed how we travel, fight wars, deliver packages, and explore our planet.

When you hear about aircraft carriers, those are massive Navy ships with flight decks where military planes can take off and land. A pilot's aircraft might be a small two-seater propeller plane or a jumbo jet carrying hundreds of passengers across oceans. Military forces, airlines, and private citizens all operate aircraft for different purposes, from crop dusting to emergency medical transport.

The plural of aircraft is also aircraft (not “aircrafts”), just like one sheep and many sheep.