20 Best Books About Flying (2023 Update)

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.

"will resonate with any kid who's ever felt different—which is to say, every kid." —time great stories take flight in this adventurous middle-grade anthology crafted by ten of the most recognizable and diverse authors writing today. newbery medalist kwame alexander delivers a story in-verse about a boy who just might have magical powers; national book award winner jacqueline woodson spins a tale of friendship against all odds; and meg medina uses wet paint to color in one girl’s world with a short story that inspired her newbery award-winner merci suárez changes gear. plus, seven more bold voices that bring this collection to new heights with tales that challenge, inspire, and celebrate the unique talents within us all. authors include: kwame alexander, kelly j. baptist, soman chainani, matt de la peña, tim federle, grace lin, meg medina, walter dean myers, tim tingle, jacqueline woodson “there’s plenty of magic in this collection to go around.” —booklist, starred “a natural for middle school classrooms and libraries.” —kirkus reviews, starred “inclusive, authentic, and eminently readable.” —school library journal, starred “thought provoking and wide-ranging . . . should not be missed.”—publishers weekly, starred “read more books by these authors.” —the bulletin, starred

Beginning with the jet age of the 1940s and 1950s, air travel has been at the forefront of technology, culture, and luxury. the art of flying explores its fascinating evolution, curating a vibrant cultural history from the mid- twentieth century to the present. from technological developments such as pressurized cabins and the concorde to the flair of custom crew uniforms by renowned designers including dior, emilio pucci, and moncler, as well as its interplay with architecture and art, air travel throughout history is at oncea reflection of its time and a symbol of the cutting edge. in partnership with vistajet and lavishly illustrated with over seven decades of imagery, the art of flying celebrates the golden past and the dream of luxury air travel today.

Bestselling author frederick forsyth presents some of the most exciting and unforgettable aviation stories ever written. the stories in this remarkable volume capture all the wonder and excitement, courage and fear, humor and terror, and action and adventure of a century in flight.

At 10:35 in the morning of thursday, december 17, 1903, man got his wings. on the sand dunes of kitty hawk, north carolina, orville wright flew the motorized aircraft he and his brother wilbur had constructed to a distance less than the length of the wingspan of today's 747 jet. they made three other flights the same day, the final lasting 59 seconds for a distance over the ground of 852 feet. the world would never be the same after that day. mankind was finally off the ground in powered flight. and man's experiences in the air would forevermore join the literature of human endeavors, to be shared by kindred spirits as well as the curious sorts who have wanted to know, "what was it like up there?" in the greatest flying stories ever told, editor lamar underwood has collected some of the finest writings, both fact and realistic fiction, to lay bare the drama of human beings coping with the skills needed to direct their machines through the vastness of the skies. with contributions from: charles lindbergh, ernest k. gann, general chuck yeager, leo janos, tom wolfe, mary lovell, richard bach, rinker buck, diane ackerman, derek robinson, and more.

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.

At 10:35 in the morning of thursday, december 17, 1903, man got his wings. on the sand dunes of kitty hawk, north carolina, orville wright flew the motorized aircraft he and his brother wilbur had constructed to a distance less than the length of the wingspan of today's 747 jet. they made three other flights the same day, the final lasting 59 seconds for a distance over the ground of 852 feet. the world would never be the same after that day. mankind was finally off the ground in powered flight. and man's experiences in the air would forevermore join the literature of human endeavors, to be shared by kindred spirits as well as the curious sorts who have wanted to know, "what was it like up there?" in the greatest flying stories ever told, editor lamar underwood has collected some of the finest writings, both fact and realistic fiction, to lay bare the drama of human beings coping with the skills needed to direct their machines through the vastness of the skies. with contributions from: charles lindbergh, ernest k. gann, general chuck yeager, leo janos, tom wolfe, mary lovell, richard bach, rinker buck, diane ackerman, derek robinson, and more.

Here for the first time in a single volume are three of richard bach's most compelling works about flight. from his edgy days as a usaf alert pilot above europe in an armed f84-f thunderstreak during the cold war to a meander across america in a 1929 biplane, bach explores the extreme edges of the air, his airplane, and himself in glorious writing about how it feels to climb into a machine, leave the earth, and fly. only a handful of writers have translated their experiences in the cockpit into books that have mesmerized generations.

Here for the first time in a single volume are three of richard bach's most compelling works about flight. from his edgy days as a usaf alert pilot above europe in an armed f84-f thunderstreak during the cold war to a meander across america in a 1929 biplane, bach explores the extreme edges of the air, his airplane, and himself in glorious writing about how it feels to climb into a machine, leave the earth, and fly. only a handful of writers have translated their experiences in the cockpit into books that have mesmerized generations.

Discover the fascinating stories behind humankind's conquest of the skies, from dreamers and inventors to modern-day astronauts. take a sky-high journey through the wright brothers' first powered flight, to concorde's final voyage, to the tragic crash of the columbia, and more, in this stunning book packed with information on the history of aviation. charting the trailblazers, jet test pilots and constant progress at the cutting-edge of technology, every aspect of flight is explored. recalling memorable events of the sky – record-breaking flights, aerial warfare, and hijackings – flight is the story of how our dream to fly became a reality. this visual guide features remarkable photography on every page and galleries throughout to showcase important aircraft – with multiple viewpoints and their key statistics. anyone interested in aeroplanes and vehicles of the sky, and their inventors, engineers, and pilots should have this book on their shelf.

A practical guide to overcoming your fear of flying by top flying experts from british airways' flying with confidence coursedoes the thought of flying fill you with dread? do panic attacks leave you feeling scared and vulnerable? if so, this book could change your life. written by top flying experts, this reassuring guide explains everything you need to know about air travel alongside techniques for feeling confident and in control from take-off to landing. in easy-to-follow sections, you'll learn how to recognize cabin noises, manage turbulence, andhandle flying inbad weather conditions. as your knowledge grows, so will your confidence, with the fear of the unknown removed. this book takes the terror out of common flight fears; includes techniques for controlling anxiety, claustrophobia, and panic; and will help you feel safe, calm, and secure when you next take to the skies."

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.

It is rare to find one person whose life embodies the history of an industry the way bob buck's life encompasses the history of commercial aviation in america. buck first flew in the 1920s, inspired by the exploits of charles lindbergh. in 1930, at age sixteen, he flew solo from coast to coast, breaking the junior transcontinental speed record. in 1936 he flew nonstop from burbank, california, to columbus, ohio, in a 90-horsepower monocoupe to establish a world distance record for light airplanes. he joined transcontinental and western air (t&wa) as a copilot in 1937; when he retired thirty-seven years later, he had made more than 2,000 atlantic crossings — and his role had progressed from such tasks as retracting a dc-2's landing gear with a cockpit-based hand pump to command of a wide-body 747. buck's experiences go back to a time when flying was something glamorous. he flew with and learned from some true pioneers of aviation — the courageous pilots who created the airmail service during flying's infancy. at the behest of his employer howard hughes, buck spent three months flying with tyrone power on a trip to south america, africa, and europe. he flew the new york-paris-cairo route in the days when flight plans called for lengthy stopovers, and enjoyed all that those romantic places had to offer. he took part in a flight that circled the globe "sideways" (from pole to pole). he advised twa's president on the shift to jet planes; a world expert on weather and flight, buck used a b-17g to chase thunderstorms worldwide as part of a twa-air force research project during world war ii, for which he was awarded the air medal (as a civilian) by president truman. in "north starover my shoulder," bob buck tells of a life spent up and over the clouds, and of the wonderful places and marvelous people who have been a part of that life. he captures the feel, taste, and smell of flying's greatest era — how the people lived, what they did and felt, and what it was really like to be a part of the world as it grew smaller and smaller. he relates stories from his innumerable visits to paris, the city he loves more than any other — echoing gertrude stein's view that "america is my country, and paris is my home town" — and from his trips to the middle east, including flights to israel before and after it became a state. a terrific storyteller and a fascinating man, bob buck has turned his well-lived life into a delightful memoir for anyone who remembers when there really was something special in the air.

The exciting part is, you never know what's next. as a ferry pilot, you don't get to choose what airplanes to fly, the destination, or the weather. and you don't get to choose the life-threatening complications. the wilderness in the northern region of the united states and canada is beautiful but non-forgiving. classroom training is useful, but there is no better reward in life than the real experience of successfully flying over the wilderness to destinations most people will never see or go. there are no airport terminals, airline schedules, or rental car services at the most pristine places in the world! 9-1-1 simply doesn't exist! special planning becomes routine, life-saving survival gear is standard equipment. diverting to a local airport while in route to avoid some rough weather, or stop to stretch your legs and have a soda pop, is not an option. it is definitely not for everyone. but if you are willing and capable to step outside, where there are no warning labels that tell you how to wash your hands, in this little so-called safe world, where somebody else is taking you by the hand and leading you through life, the rewards are endless! the journey is never the same. the risks seem high, but are worth the rewards.

Don't think you can become a pilot? have you always dreamed of becoming a pilot? are you wondering if now is a good time to become a pilot? do you want to get started with flight training, but need help choosing a school? all your questions will be answered in this book! this book may be the most important book you will ever read if you want to become a professional pilot… but first a warning, this is not a book about "learning to fly" in a literal sense. you won't learn how aerodynamics work or how to control an aircraft in flight – that's something you will learn once you start your flight training. instead, this book contains information that flight schools won't teach you. the information you need to know before you should commit to flight training! the knowledge you gain from this book is essential for you to have a successful and enjoyable career as a commercial or airline pilot! the main focus of the book is on faa and easa flight training in the u.s., but most of the principles apply regardless of your nationality. whether you want to earn your private pilot certificate, become a corporate pilot, or become a captain in a major airline – this book is for you. and one note to the ladies – it is now the golden age for female pilots! did you know you could become a commercial pilot, or even a flight instructor, at the age of 18 with less than 12 months of training? right now is an excellent time to become a pilot because there is a global pilot shortage that is expected to last for the next two decades or longer. boeing estimates that there will be a worldwide demand for 790,000 pilots between 2018 and 2037. that's a lot of pilots! how do i know the pilot shortage is not just a myth? currently, most airlines in china are hiring airline captains from foreign countries because there are not enough chinese pilots. and what's the pay like? boeing 737 or airbus 320 captains can earn an annual salary up to $380,000! that's over 30k per month! …and, wait for it–it's all tax-free (in china)! yes, it will be a long road to become an airline captain earning a good salary. but guess what? reading this book will help you decide if you want to pursue the career. who is this author? with bachelor's and master's degrees from embry-riddle aeronautical university, vesa knows a thing or two about aviation. with several years as a flight instructor, assistant chief flight instructor, and ultimately as the chief flight instructor of a major flight academy, he is an expert in pilot training. having trained hundreds of pilots who currently work for many airlines (including many chinese airlines), he has the first-hand knowledge of the demand for new pilots. because of his experience as a corporate airline captain, he understands the benefits and downsides of pilot life and can help you decide whether it's a good career path for you! here are some of the questions this book will answer: is a pilot career a good choise for me? how much does flight training cost? what are the medical requirements for pilots? how can i finance flight training without any savings or income? what are the benefits and downsides of a pilot career? what kind of certificates and ratings do i need to start working as a professional pilot? how to choose the best flight school (and flight instructor) based on my individual needs? flight training is fast-paced, fun, and exciting. why not get started now?

Sr-71 covers every aspect of the spyplane’s development, manufacture, and active service, all from the insider’s perspective of one its pilots. features over 200 incredible photos. flying to a coffee table near you comes the new paperback edition of this authoritative and illustrated history of the most mind-bending military aircraft ever flown! developed by the renowned lockheed skunk works, the sr-71 was an awesome aircraft in every respect, setting world records for altitude and speed: an absolute altitude record of 85,069 feet on july 28, 1974, and an absolute speed record of 2,193.2 miles per hour on the same day.written by a former blackbird pilot, sr-71 covers every aspect of the aircraft's development, manufacture, and active service, all lavishly illustrated with more than 200 photos. the sr-71 remained in service with the u.s. air force from 1964 to 1998, when it was withdrawn from use, superseded by satellite technology. this authoritative history covers the spylane's entire phenomenal service.

By richie lengel save countless hours sorting through multiple books looking for what you need. this book gives the reader a fresh and fun approach to the complex world of aviation. it brings together every excruciating detail into a single source document that benefits all levels from student to airline captain. easy to read outline format, with bold/underlined text to emphasize the most important words. includes a huge index that makes it effortless to find the information you need. 450 pages, paperback.

In a provocative and sometimes controversial style, this guide starts where standard-issue flight training manuals leave off. the thinking pilot guides you deeply into topics that weren't taught in flight training-everything from how to really do a preflight, through keeping your passengers happy, scud running, precautionary landings, and how to survive a crash. it includes a detailed introduction to flying floats, skis, aerobatics, and classic airplanes; probes some of aviation's dirty little secrets, explodes myths, and presents the best, most succinct guide to flying tailwheel airplanes ever written. rick durden was once described as aviation's renaissance man. he is an airline transport-rated pilot with experience in some 200 types of airplanes, a practicing aviation attorney who has been involved in hundreds of aircraft accident cases, writer, aviation magazine editor, safety counselor, flight instructor, volunteer pilot in remote areas of the u.s. and central america, and has been the executive director of a nonprofit conservation organization making use of aircraft and volunteer pilots throughout much of north america.

First flown in 1963, the boeing 727 was skillfully designed to outclass its competitors and remained without a direct rival for nearly two decades. this jetliner was capable of being operated from short, unimproved airfields, while requiring minimal ground service equipment. in flight, it was a dream–fast, efficient, quiet, and comfortable. although this book is about an airplane, it is as much about the people at boeing who were undaunted and took the financial risks necessary to build a truly outstanding machine. readers will learn technical aspects of the 727, along with taking a close look at the brilliant minds and reasoning behind the design through personal interviews and examining archival data. for the hobbyist, a model-building chapter is also included, which covers techniques for both first-time and experienced modelers.

Inspired by the effortless soaring of birds, humans have taken to wing as the safest, fastest, and most enjoyable way to travel. an illustrated guide to flying explains the principles and practice of flying with concise critical facts, supported with prolific illustrations and photographs, covering basic flight maneuvers, aircraft engines and flight instruments, navigation, weather, types of aircraft, traffic control, flight rules, and more. this is an exciting introduction to flying for aspiring pilots of all ages, revealing the mysteries of flight and explaining how pilots deal with their aircraft and the elements through which they fly. either as a student, passenger, or future pilot, the reader will enter a fascinating new world that offers challenge, fun, and adventure.