20 Best Books About Aviation (2023 Update)

Take an action-packed flight through the history of aircraft and the intrepid pioneers who made a dream become reality. uncover the engineering behind more than 800 aircraft models, from military jets to commercial planes. this visual history book captures the fascinating story of aeroplanes and aviation, and how this groundbreaking discovery has influenced the 21st century. inside the pages of this aircraft book, you'll discover: – the history of military and commercial aircraft from all over the world, decade by decade, to the present day in stunning visual detail – comprehensive catalogues highlighting the most important aircraft of each period along with their specifications and unique features – showcases particularly celebrated aircraft – such as the supermarine spitfire and concorde – in beautifully photographed "virtual tour" features – tells the stories of the engineers and manufacturers that created marques like boeing and airbus modern flight has opened the world up to new opportunities and paved the way to the development of advanced research and technology. but, what made it so groundbreaking? this book uncovers the stories behind the first aeroplane models, the development of flight, and brings you to present-day marvels such as the gypsy moth and supermarine spitfire. the aircraft book is filled with stats, facts and photographs that create a visual tour and allows you to see inside key commercial and military aircraft models from the exterior to the cockpit. aviation enthusiasts will also be captivated by the manufacturer of aircraft engines and how famous models like the boeing and lockheed became household names. complete the series dk's the definitive visual history series is an iconic celebration of design and history. packed with fascinating facts and statistics, these high-quality visual guides cover everything from history and notable designs to the people and technology that made it possible. books in this series include the car book, the train book, the tank book, and so much more.

New york times bestseller "this is history at its most immediate and moving… a marvelous and memorable book." –jon meacham "remarkable… a priceless civic gift… on page after page, a reader will encounter words that startle, or make him angry, or heartbroken." –the wall street journal "visceral… i repeatedly cried… this book captures the emotions and unspooling horror of the day." –npr "had me turning each page with my heart in my throat… there's been a lot written about 9/11, but nothing like this. i urge you to read it." –katie couric the first comprehensive oral history of september 11, 2001–a panoramic narrative woven from the voices of americans on the front lines of an unprecedented national trauma. over the past eighteen years, monumental literature has been published about 9/11, from lawrence wright's the looming tower, which traced the rise of al-qaeda, to the 9/11 commission report, the government's definitive factual retrospective of the attacks. but one perspective has been missing up to this point–a 360-degree account of the day told through the voices of the people who experienced it. now, in the only plane in the sky, award-winning journalist and bestselling historian garrett graff tells the story of the day as it was lived–in the words of those who lived it. drawing on never-before-published transcripts, recently declassified documents, original interviews, and oral histories from nearly five hundred government officials, first responders, witnesses, survivors, friends, and family members, graff paints the most vivid and human portrait of the september 11 attacks yet. in new york city, first responders confront a scene of unimaginable horror at the twin towers. from a secret bunker underneath the white house, officials watch for incoming planes on radar. aboard the small number of unarmed fighter jets in the air, pilots make a pact to fly into a hijacked airliner if necessary to bring it down. in the skies above pennsylvania, civilians aboard united flight 93 make the ultimate sacrifice in their place. then, as the day moves forward and flights are grounded nationwide, air force one circles the country alone, its passengers isolated and afraid. more than simply a collection of eyewitness testimonies, the only plane in the sky is the historic narrative of how ordinary people grappled with extraordinary events in real time: the father and son working in the north tower, caught on different ends of the impact zone; the firefighter searching for his wife who works at the world trade center; the operator of in-flight telephone calls who promises to share a passenger's last words with his family; the beloved fdny chaplain who bravely performs last rites for the dying, losing his own life when the towers collapse; and the generals at the pentagon who break down and weep when they are barred from rushing into the burning building to try to rescue their colleagues. at once a powerful tribute to the courage of everyday americans and an essential addition to the literature of 9/11, the only plane in the sky weaves together the unforgettable personal experiences of the men and women who found themselves caught at the center of an unprecedented human drama. the result is a unique, profound, and searing exploration of humanity on a day that changed the course of history, and all of our lives.

Man's fascination with flight took off in 1903 when the wright flyer flew for a breathtaking 12 seconds. since then, aircraft have become much more sophisticated. now you can discover more than 300 of the most important airplanes of the last 30 years in the encyclopedia of modern aircraft. * this book details some of the finest civil and military aircraft in service today, beginning with classic 1960s commercial airliners like the boeing 747 through the latest military wonder planes like the f-22 raptors. * unique specification tables provide comprehensive information on dimensions, powerplant, performance, and more. * find out how some of the most famous planes in the sky came to fly. what inspired the f-14 tomcat? how will the airbus a380 change the face of commercial travel? climb into the cockpits and design labs and see!

Captain laura savino takes you directly into the cockpit for an exclusive look into the boy's club of airline pilots-told through the eyes of the first female pilot many of them ever flew with. "no math," laura's counselor told her in high school. "that would ruin your gpa." laura had other plans. one teenage act of rebellion changed everything for her at a time when stem opportunities for women were rare. if passengers on a commercial jet had trouble imagining a woman flight engineer – which laura became – imagine their disbelief to see her as the pilot flying their widebody jet around the world. she exposes both the harsh truths and the exciting adventure of her years in the airline industry as a commercial pilot, reveals the emotional impact of 9/11 on pilots, and writes honestly about what it means to be a working mother while keeping her dreams alive. laura's powerful story is a blueprint for how to defy expectations and follow your inner compass to do things you never thought possible.

New york times business best seller – a suspenseful behind-the-scenes look at the dysfunction that contributed to one of the worst tragedies in modern aviation: the 2018 and 2019 crashes of the boeing 737 max. an "authoritative, gripping and finely detailed narrative that charts the decline of one of the great american companies" (new york times book review), from the award-winning reporter for bloomberg.boeing is a century-old titan of industry. it played a major role in the early days of commercial flight, world war ii bombing missions, and moon landings. the planemaker remains a cornerstone of the u.s. economy, as well as a linchpin in the awesome routine of modern air travel. but in 2018 and 2019, two crashes of the boeing 737 max 8 killed 346 people. the crashes exposed a shocking pattern of malfeasance, leading to the biggest crisis in the company’s history—and one of the costliest corporate scandals ever. how did things go so horribly wrong at boeing? flying blind is the definitive exposé of the disasters that transfixed the world. drawing from exclusive interviews with current and former employees of boeing and the faa; industry executives and analysts; and family members of the victims, it reveals how a broken corporate culture paved the way for catastrophe. it shows how in the race to beat the competition and reward top executives, boeing skimped on testing, pressured employees to meet unrealistic deadlines, and convinced regulators to put planes into service without properly equipping them or their pilots for flight. by bloomberg investigative journalist peter robison, who covered boeing as a beat reporter during the company’s fateful merger with mcdonnell douglas in the late ‘90s, this is the story of a business gone wildly off course. at once riveting and disturbing, it shows how an iconic company fell prey to a win-at-all-costs mentality, threatening an industry and endangering countless lives.

Take flight with this spectacular and informative guide to the fascinating world of aircraft.superb color photographs offer a unique exploration of the history of flight, as well as providing a close-up view of the many different kinds of aircraft in use today, from helicopters to hot-air balloons.find out what a victorian steam-powered airplane looked like, what the first pilots wore, how wings provide lift, and what's inside a "black box". discover how a plane lands and takes off, how a glider works, which plane could be carried on a car, what the buttons on a flight deck do, and much more.great for projects or just for fun, eyewitness flight will help you to learn everything you need to know about the history and science of flight.

Author, pilot, and dad justin kelley puts kids at ease by answering twenty of their most pressing questions. flying is fascinating, and kids have questions! why don't planes hit each other in the sky? do you start a plane with a key? why do my ears feel funny? with friendly language, simple explanations, and colorful illustrations, ask a pilot is the perfect handbook for aviation lovers and nervous flyers alike! from the introduction: do you dream of flying? if you answered yes, then this book is for you. on the other hand, if you answered no, and you started to sweat a little, and your heart started racing because the thought of trusting a huge, metal airplane that stays in the air by some unknown magic terrifies you, well . . . this book is also for you. especially for you. in this book, you'll find answers to real questions from real kids. some are funny, some are serious, but all them have real answers to help make flying a little less mysterious.

Ever wondered what goes on inside the cockpit of a passenger plane? ever wanted to know how a jet engine works or what happens if a plane is struck by lightning? since 9/11, flight decks of modern airliners have become off-limits to the flying public. this is despite the fact every year more people take to the skies than ever before.pilot brett manders wants to help you become a savvy traveller by providing insider tips, expert knowledge, and an understanding of what goes on behind the scenes to get you up in the air. all told with a dash of humor, this book will demystify the art of airline travel, address those urban legends, and settle the nerves of any anxious flyers.simple, concise explanations cover a multitude of things passengers have asked brett and his colleagues over the years. what is a small technical delay? can the cabin door be opened mid-flight? how much do pilots really earn and do they get free flights? can you get stuck to the toilet? is it still possible to view the flight deck? brett manders is a pilot with an australian airline. he has over 10,000 hours flying experience on airbus a320, a321, a330 and boeing b787 dreamliner aircraft. praise for behind the flight deck door "brett's uncomplicated, honest, and easy to understand book is a welcome addition on any flight. it offers an enlightening point of view of the all-important necessity of air travel with rare glimpses of the secret world airline pilots inhabit." julie postance, author, breaking the sound barriers "i really enjoyed reading this as it is an easy read, and really relatable and quite entertaining. as a nervous flyer myself it was quite interesting and reassuring to read all the different things that go on behind the scenes and learn about the ins and outs of flying." sarah emerson, nervous flyer "this book has so much valuable knowledge that every passenger wants to know and ask. so many things about aircraft, airlines and airports are such a mystery to many people, it is nice to have it explained is simple terms. after reading, i feel lots of little things that bothered me have been put in perspective and it has helped my fear of flying significantly. nisha sharma, nervous flyer

Get in and fasten your seatbelt. ready for take-off! have you ever asked yourself why airplane windows have a small hole? why your digestive system makes itself known with particular vigor high up in the air? if turbulence is actually as dangerous as it feels? wouldn't it be great to have these questions answered by someone who actually sits up front in the cockpit? impossible? not anymore! experienced pilot mark greenfield takes you on board with him and provides exciting insights into the world of flying.the various topics explained in an easy-to-understand manner are ideal for all those interested in aviation. no matter whether you have never set foot in an airplane or fly regularly – many interesting details are waiting to be discovered!

Flying was a perilous adventure, with death only a small breath away. many lost their lives in pursuit of their dream and have remained relatively forgotten, until now. (italics until now) "aviation fever" struck young and old alike, especially after the four dominguez air meets held in southern california between 1910-1913. for others like frank champion, long beach's first airman, it meant learning from the best—traveling to london, england, to study with louis bleriot, and going on to teach others, such as long beach airport founder earl daugherty, to fly. there were also daring women: tiny and ethel broadwick, who parachuted out of airplanes when many men refused to do so because they considered it "too dangerous;" gladys o'donnell instrumental in founding the women's air derby; world war ii ferrying pilots, led by barbara erickson london, whose service to america was not recognized until 1977; dianna bixby and joan merriam smith trying to complete amelia earhart's dream of circumnavigating the globe. soaring skyward (italics for title) introduces remarkable men and women who embraced the dangers and challenges of flight. it also tells the story of the long beach municipal airport, the center of much of southern california's aviation history. the early days of ballooning, air circuses, parachute jumps, barnstorming, air meets, forgotten military sites and much more are all explored in this well documented look into the past, and future, of aviation in southern california. after twenty years of extensive research, ms. burnett's book is sure to open up new sources of information for aviation and history enthusiasts, and most definitely shed additional light on the past.

In this exciting and engaging nonfiction book, readers learn about the wright brothers, the history of aviation, how air travel has changed the way people work and live, and the important parts that make the plane fly! using informational text, vibrant photos, an interesting timeline, and intriguing facts, this book will have readers wanting to learn everything they can about airplanes!

The smithsonian national air and space museum holds the country's premier collection of historic aircrafts, but visitors must view these impressive structures at a distance. in the cockpit captures the feeling of helming these historic craft with big, gorgeous four–color photographs that will give flight enthusiasts a true pilot's eye view of many of history's most important domestic and military airplanes, jets, and helicopters. each entry includes archival images of the craft and authoritative text that places each one in the context of the development of aviation technology and world history .

A fascinating plane-by-plane journey through aviation history, this beautifully illustrated book covers 365 of the most iconic aircraft in world history that enthusiasts, serious-minded hobbyists, and casual fans would love to fly if given the chance. clear photography, historical context, and specs get you as close as possible to these planes without setting foot in a hangar. aviation has come a long way since the wright brothers built their glider in kitty hawk, north carolina, in 1903. from among the thousands of different types of military and commercial aircraft constructed over the past 100 years, aviation expert robert f. dorr profiles the most important, fascinating, and famous aircraft ever made. your opinions might differ, but you wouldn't want to miss out on the planes dorr identifies as flights of a lifetime. while covering every era of aviation history, many of the planes in 365 aircraft you must fly were flown during world war ii, a time unmatched in aviation for its technological advances, romance, and clarity of purpose. during this golden age of flying, propellers gave way to jet engines, and the "greatest generation" fought gallantly in them. explore the history, thrills, and joy of flying the world's most amazing 365 aircraft.

A stunning visual celebration of the world's aircraft and the pioneers who made a dream become reality. introducing flight – a historical and visual exploration of awe-inspiring aviation over a period of one hundred years, from the earliest aeroplane prototypes to today's supersonic jets, this all-encompassing book about aeroplanes takes you on an action-packed flight to explore some of the greatest commercial and military aircraft ever made. so fasten your seatbelt and prepare for takeoff as dk takes you on a journey to explore: -spectacular photographs and evocative archive images from the smithsonian collection capture the most memorable events in the history of flight -300 profiles showcase iconic aircrafts, providing key facts -offers a clear and compelling account of aviation history in short, self-contained episodes explore stunning photographic galleries of planes, helicopters, and airships, each accompanied by its vital statistics. from the wright brothers' first powered flight to concorde's final voyage, flight takes you sky-high, swooping you through world aviation history. featuring spectacular photography of iconic aircraft, this book also recounts the feats of pioneers, trailblazers, and jet test pilots, and traces the technological developments so important to aviation's progress. memorable moments of aerial warfare and record-breaking flights are recalled alongside more than 250 profiles of innovative aircraft in this book packed with flight facts for the aviation enthusiast. the human experience of flying is documented too, and historical quotes give a glimpse into the thoughts and ambitions of key figures in flight history. a must-have volume for anyone interested in aircraft, whether a gift or a self-purchase, flight is an all-encompassing airplane book that has something for everyone to love and enjoy. aviation enthusiasts of all stripes and ages will be captivated by dk's flight- a comprehensive and beautifully presented guide to the story of flight. explore speed, power and style as you jet across the world with your new-found knowledge on all things aviation!

Provides a fascinating at-a-glance guide to every major military aircraft type ever flown, all illustrated with a detailed profile artwork, accompanied by brief details and specifications.

In late may 1927 an inexperienced and unassuming 25-year-old air mail pilot from rural minnesota stunned the world by making the first non-stop transatlantic flight. a spectacular feat of individual daring and collective technological accomplishment, charles lindbergh's flight from new york to paris ushered in america's age of commercial aviation. in the flight of the century, thomas kessner takes a fresh look at one of america's greatest moments, explaining how what was essentially a publicity stunt became a turning point in history. he vividly recreates the flight itself and the euphoric reaction to it on both sides of the atlantic, and argues that lindbergh's amazing feat occurred just when the world—still struggling with the disillusionment of wwi—desperately needed a hero to restore a sense of optimism and innocence. kessner also shows how new forms of mass media made lindbergh into the most famous international celebrity of his time, casting him in the role of a humble yet dashing american hero of rural origins and traditional values. much has been made of lindbergh's personal integrity and his refusal to cash in on his fame. but kessner reveals that lindbergh was closely allied with, and managed by, a group of powerful businessmen—harry guggenheim, dwight morrow, and henry breckenridge chief among them—who sought to exploit aviation for mass transport and massive profits. their efforts paid off as commercial air traffic soared from 6,000 passengers in 1926 to 173,000 passengers in 1929. the flight of the century sheds new light on one of america's fascinatingly enigmatic heroes and most transformative moments.

In late may 1927 an inexperienced and unassuming 25-year-old air mail pilot from rural minnesota stunned the world by making the first non-stop transatlantic flight. a spectacular feat of individual daring and collective technological accomplishment, charles lindbergh's flight from new york to paris ushered in america's age of commercial aviation. in the flight of the century, thomas kessner takes a fresh look at one of america's greatest moments, explaining how what was essentially a publicity stunt became a turning point in history. he vividly recreates the flight itself and the euphoric reaction to it on both sides of the atlantic, and argues that lindbergh's amazing feat occurred just when the world—still struggling with the disillusionment of wwi—desperately needed a hero to restore a sense of optimism and innocence. kessner also shows how new forms of mass media made lindbergh into the most famous international celebrity of his time, casting him in the role of a humble yet dashing american hero of rural origins and traditional values. much has been made of lindbergh's personal integrity and his refusal to cash in on his fame. but kessner reveals that lindbergh was closely allied with, and managed by, a group of powerful businessmen—harry guggenheim, dwight morrow, and henry breckenridge chief among them—who sought to exploit aviation for mass transport and massive profits. their efforts paid off as commercial air traffic soared from 6,000 passengers in 1926 to 173,000 passengers in 1929. the flight of the century sheds new light on one of america's fascinatingly enigmatic heroes and most transformative moments.

This sumptuously illustrated book sweeps through a century of military aviation, covering the milestones and key technological developments. it features the designers and manufacturers who produced the early biplanes, helicopters, vtol and swing-wing aircraft, heavy bombers, giant transporters and stealth intruders.

This book is truly a "first" in aviation publishing. the authors have undertaken the monumental task of recording the history of every type of fighter aircraft that has ever been flown. from internationally reowned warplanes to obscure prototypes that may not have survived their first flights, they are all here, listed alphabetically by manufacturer's name for ease of reference. the text is complemented by rare historical photographs, precise general arrangement drawings, color profiles, and fabulously detailed cutaways. a work of such scope has never been atttempted before, and it is likely to stand as the unrivalled reference work for years to come.

This sumptuously illustrated book sweeps through a century of military aviation, covering the milestones and key technological developments. it features the designers and manufacturers who produced the early biplanes, helicopters, vtol and swing-wing aircraft, heavy bombers, giant transporters and stealth intruders.