We take a look at the ten fastest planes ever flown. Though some uncrewed aircraft (like the X-43) have flown faster, they ...

A Cessna 172 can typically cruise at around 140 mph (225 kph). Most commercial airliners fly fast enough at altitude that speed is measured in how close the aircraft's speed is to the speed of sound.

The X-1’s fuselage was designed to resemble a .50 caliber bullet—one of the only shapes known to have stable flight at supersonic speeds. The Bell X-1 hangs today from the ceiling of the National Air ...