Here's a breakdown:
1. The "Plane Mode" is a Transformation:
* The Transformers are robots that can change their forms, often taking on the appearance of vehicles.
* Optimus Prime is a truck, but in some versions of the franchise, he can transform into a plane, specifically a jet.
2. It Depends on the Version:
* The original "Generation 1" Transformers (1984-1987): Optimus Prime did not have a plane mode in this version. He was a red semi-truck.
* The "Transformers: Animated" (2007-2009): In this animated series, Optimus Prime did have a plane mode and was a jet fighter.
* "Transformers: Prime" (2010-2013) and "Transformers: Robots in Disguise" (2015-2017): Optimus Prime did not have a plane mode in these series either. He stayed true to his truck form.
* "Transformers: Age of Extinction" (2014): In this movie, Optimus Prime briefly gains a "winged mode" similar to a jet, but it's not technically a plane.
3. "Plane Mode" is a Creative Choice:
* The Transformers' abilities are determined by the writers and designers of each version.
* Some creators choose to give Optimus Prime a plane mode for story or design purposes.
So, to answer your question directly, Optimus Prime doesn't "get" the plane mode; it's part of his form in some specific versions of the Transformers franchise.
If you have any more questions about the Transformers, feel free to ask!