Soaring Flight by Man

Flying machines have been classified as follows:—

Lighter than Air

Fixed balloon,

Drifting balloon,

Sailing balloon,

Dirigible balloon
rigid (Zeppelin),
ballonetted.

Heavier than Air

Orthopter,

Helicopter,

Aeroplane
monoplane,
multiplane.

We will fall in with the present current of popular interest and consider the aeroplane—that mechanical grasshopper—first.