When it comes to aviation, how far can you fly is a big question. From tiny drones to massive passenger jets, the answer is as diverse as the people who fly them. Let’s take a look at some of the most impressive feats of human flight.
The most famous flight attempt is probably Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days, in which Phileas Fogg attempts to make a circumnavigation of the globe in just 80 days. However, even if you took the fastest routes and slashed connections, flying from London to Sydney would still take more than two full days, due to long transit times.
Birds can fly for up to 160 miles a day, depending on wind conditions and migration habits. Wandering albatrosses, which have a wingspan of 10 feet or more, are known for gliding across the ocean for long periods with only occasional flapping of their wings.
In addition to their incredible endurance, these birds can tap into the energy of the wind by using a technique called dynamic soaring. This allows them to harness the natural lift created by prevailing winds and glide for extended periods, sometimes for thousands of miles at a time.
The most popular use for drones is recreational, but they are also becoming increasingly useful in industries like agriculture and security. How far a drone can fly depends on factors like its weight, controller range, and visual line of sight limit, which all vary according to the type of drone. Drones also have a tendency to fly lower as they gain altitude, because the air resistance is greater at lower speeds.
