Compiled by Deepa Menon
Man has always dreamt of flying. From drawings on stone pyramids to Leonardo da Vinci's prescient drawings of flying machines, we can see the curiosity of mankind to conquer the sky. Then at the dawn of the 20th century, man's dream became reality.
Wilbur and Orville Wright finally got off the ground in machines that were heavier than air. Little could they have known how significantly their invention was to change the world.
Take the rediff quiz on aviation, and find out how much you know about the sector...
1. Who is known as father of aeronautics?
a) Sir George Cayley
b) Wright Brothers
c) Alberto Santos Dumont
The correct answer is Sir George Cayley
Sir George Cayley is the man described by aviation experts as the father of aeronautics.
He designed his first aircraft in 1799, and by the middle of the 19th Century, he was building and flying gliders.
He paved the way for the Wright Brothers and all the aviators who followed.
If it had not been for Sir George's pioneering work, the Wright brothers may not have got off the ground. Wright brothers after their first flight said they owed it all to George Cayley. The importance of Cayley's work has been acknowledged by the US space agency Nasa, and many other scientific institutions around the world.
Sir George Cayley is the man described by aviation experts as the father of aeronautics.
He designed his first aircraft in 1799, and by the middle of the 19th Century, he was building and flying gliders.
He paved the way for the Wright Brothers and all the aviators who followed.
If it had not been for Sir George's pioneering work, the Wright brothers may not have got off the ground. Wright brothers after their first flight said they owed it all to George Cayley. The importance of Cayley's work has been acknowledged by the US space agency Nasa, and many other scientific institutions around the world.
2. Which airport in India bagged No 1 position in the world in handling 5 to 15 million passengers?
a) Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
b) The New Delhi International Airport
c) Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
The correct answer is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has been rated the world's number one airport in the category of airports handling 5 to 15 million passengers by the Airport Council International.
The Hyderabad airport has also been voted as the fifth best airport worldwide.
The RGIA handles about 6.4 million passengers annually.
Commercial flight operations began from the Hyderabad airport from March 2008.
Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has been rated the world's number one airport in the category of airports handling 5 to 15 million passengers by the Airport Council International.
The Hyderabad airport has also been voted as the fifth best airport worldwide.
The RGIA handles about 6.4 million passengers annually.
Commercial flight operations began from the Hyderabad airport from March 2008.
3. Which airlines was renamed Air India?
a) Tata Airlines
b) United airlines
c) Delta Airlines
The correct answer is Tata Airlines.
Tata Airlines, a division of Tata Sons Ltd which was founded by J R D Tata in 1932 was renamed Air India. It was started as a mail service.
Later in 1948, JRD launched Air India International as India's first international airline.
In 1953, the Indian Government appointed JRD as Chairman of Air-India and a director on the Board of Indian Airlines a position JRD retained for 25-years. His 46-year aviation career spanned an era of the frail two-seater Puss Moth to the gleaming 400-seater giant Boeing 747.
Tata Airlines, a division of Tata Sons Ltd which was founded by J R D Tata in 1932 was renamed Air India. It was started as a mail service.
Later in 1948, JRD launched Air India International as India's first international airline.
In 1953, the Indian Government appointed JRD as Chairman of Air-India and a director on the Board of Indian Airlines a position JRD retained for 25-years. His 46-year aviation career spanned an era of the frail two-seater Puss Moth to the gleaming 400-seater giant Boeing 747.
4. Which is the best airport in the world?
a) Hong Kong International Airport
b) Changi Airport
c) Incheon International Airport
The correct answer is Changi Airport.
The world's best airport in 2010 is Changi in Singapore. (Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards).
Changi Airport also won the titles for Best Airport Leisure Amenities and Best Airport Asia.
Recognised as one of the best airports in the world, it has 80 airlines serving 200 cities in 60 countries.
The airport now has an annual handling capacity of more than 70 million passengers.
The world's best airport in 2010 is Changi in Singapore. (Source: Skytrax World Airport Awards).
Changi Airport also won the titles for Best Airport Leisure Amenities and Best Airport Asia.
Recognised as one of the best airports in the world, it has 80 airlines serving 200 cities in 60 countries.
The airport now has an annual handling capacity of more than 70 million passengers.
5. Who is the father of civil aviation in India?
a) Homi J Bhabha
b) Naresh Goyal
c) J R D Tata
The correct answer is J R D Tata.
J R D Tata is known as the father of civil aviation in India. On February 10, 1929, J R D became the first Indian to pass the pilot's examination with No 1 endorsed on his flying license.
On October 15, 1932, JRD took off from Drigh Road Airport, Karachi, in a tiny, light single-engined de Havilland Puss Moth on his flight to Mumbai via Ahmedabad.
He landed with his precious load of mail on a grass strip at Juhu. His passion for flying was fulfilled with the formation of the Tata Aviation Service in 1932.
J R D Tata is known as the father of civil aviation in India. On February 10, 1929, J R D became the first Indian to pass the pilot's examination with No 1 endorsed on his flying license.
On October 15, 1932, JRD took off from Drigh Road Airport, Karachi, in a tiny, light single-engined de Havilland Puss Moth on his flight to Mumbai via Ahmedabad.
He landed with his precious load of mail on a grass strip at Juhu. His passion for flying was fulfilled with the formation of the Tata Aviation Service in 1932.
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