a·vi·a·tion 
(ā′vē-āshən, ăv′ē-)
(ā′vē-āshən, ăv′ē-)n.
1. The operation of aircraft.
2. The design, development, and production of aircraft.
3. Military aircraft.
[French, from Latin avis, bird; see awi- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]