Discover the importance of the biplane, and how it changed the world forever!

Jump to Section:      Comparing Biplanes and Monoplanes      Airplane Anatomy      Timeline      Craft Activity      Story Time Recommendations      Spotlight Story

Comparing Biplanes and Monoplanes

This is an illustration of biplanes. 

Biplanes

  • Have two wings stacked one on top of the other
  • Were the first successful type of airplane
  • Were the main type of airplane until the 1920s
  • Are still around today for air shows and aerobatics 

This is an illustration of a monoplane. 

Monoplanes

  • Have one set of wings
  • Were invented in 1906, three years after the biplane 
  • Were not strong enough when first invented because of the need for longer wings
  • Replaced biplanes as the main type of airplane when engines became powerful enough to move them through the air fast enough

Understanding how things fly begins by learning about the four forces of flight.

Watch this video to learn more about drag and the other forces of flight. 

Think About It!
In this video, the engine helped move the airplane forward which balanced against the drag on the plane. 

Look at the airplanes in the images above. Which type of airplane do you think has more drag—the biplane or the monoplane? Why?

Airplane Anatomy

Play Full Screen

Timeline: Biplanes Throughout History!

Craft Activity: Make a Paper Towel Biplane

Materials Needed: 

  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Paper towel, or toilet paper roll 
  • 3-4 pieces of computer paper 
  • Crayons, or markers (optional)

Think About It!
How does your biplane look similar to the Wright brothers' airplane? How is it different? 

Story Time Recommendations

A book cover with a young girl staring up at an old airplane in flight.

Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane

by Kirsten Larson, illustrated by Tracy Subisak
Best for ages 7-10

Learn about this early innovator who worked to improve upon the Wright brothers’ design to create a more comfortable flying machine. 
 

A book cover with the title "Airplanes: Soaring! Diving! Turning!" shows a red biplane being piloted.

Airplanes: Soaring, Diving, Turning

by Patricia Hubbell, illustrated by Sean Addy and Megan Halsey 
Best for ages 2-5

This fun book for young children describes the different types of airplanes and their jobs.
 

Book cover for a children's book about the Tuskegee Airmen featuring an illustration of a man, his dog, and a child preparing to fly a biplane.

Wind Flyers

By Angela Johnson, illustrated by Loren Long
Best for ages 5-9

Follow along as a boy learns about his great-great uncle's love of flying which lead him to become one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen.
 

Spotlight Story: Blanche Stuart Scott, pilot

Soar Together at Air and Space is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman.

A young visitor constructs an eclipse viewer while helped by his guardians and museum staff.

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