The Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous fighter aircraft of all time. It is certainly one of the most successful fighters ever designed. As a fighter aircraft it reigned supreme and unsurpassed from the biplane era to the dawn of the jet age, a period that included the Second World War. In addition to its primary role as an interceptor fighter, the Spitfire also acquitted itself with flying colours in the ground attack, photo-reconnaissance, carrier-borne fighter and escort fighter roles. Through a continuous programme of modification and development it remained at the forefront of fighter design until superseded by the new generation of jet fighters after the war. "The Spitfire Story" is an attractive, picture-led account with a short but authoritative text supported by a comprehensive selection of 40 colour and 40 black and white photographs showing the Spitfire at all stages of its life. Peter R. March's narrative covers the background from its genesis, to first flight and flight testing; the Spitfire in the Battle of Britain; the Spitfire in combat during the Second World War; post-war service and retirement; and how the Spitfire lives on in the 21st century (with a listing of surviving Spitfires and where to see them).

In this probing critique of aviation security since 9/11, Andrew R. Thomas, a globally recognized aviation security expert, examines the recent overhaul of the national aviation security system.
Despite the complete federal takeover of aviation security in November 2001, Thomas notes many continuing problems, including: millions of passenger bags that are still not screened or matched; the unresolved problem of air rage and unruly passenger behavior; the "forgotten chasm" of air cargo, which remains largely unchecked due to inadequate resources; and lax standards, the hiring of high-risk employees, and the failure to secure critical areas in many of our nation's airports.
Thomas also considers many of the proposed solutions to these vulnerabilities: biometrics, profiling, air marshals, bomb-detection devices, and smart technology that links reservations systems to private and government databases. How practical are these proposals? Will they work? What will they cost? How much time will be needed to implement any or all of them? In light of the restructuring of airline security, what new roles will be played by the airline industry, government, airports, and the Transportation Security Administration? Thomas's thorough analysis and command of all the facts create an enlightening overview of the airline security dilemma and its numerous formidable challenges.
Finally, he considers the future, outlining a strategic approach for government and industry to meet new and existing threats while continuing to serve the public in an efficient manner.

First envisioned by Leonardo da Vinci and first deployed in World War II, the helicopter is now a universal icon of modern warfare, a key component of combat planning around the world, and one of the military's most versatile and effective tools. Helicopters: An Illustrated History of Their Impact covers the development of helicopters from a concept in Leonardo daVinci's mind to the first successful machines in the early 1900s to the latest tilt-rotor designs. Time and again, in a story of constant innovation, designers answered the concerns of military planners with more maneuverable, more capable rotorcraft. With expert analysis and specific details of every significant model ever used, Helicopters shows how these once denigrated machines became essential to a variety of missions (reconnaissance, transport, attack, support, evacuation, urban combat, quick strikes behind enemy lines, and more). In addition, the book looks at the impact of rotorcraft beyond the military, including their ever-widening role in emergency medical care, police work, traffic control, agriculture, news reporting, and more.

As computer and information systems technology advances, industries such as aviation stand to benefit from the overwhelming new advances in hardware, software, and best practices. Recent Advancements in Airborne Radar Signal Processing: Emerging Research and Opportunities is a critical scholarly resource exploring an airborne radar system that will help to improve the function of airborne radar and self-deception spoofing jammer sources. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics, such as doppler straddling loss, spoofing systems, and radar platform modeling, this book is geared towards academicians, researchers, and students seeking current research on radar signal processing in the field of aviation.

The author grew up in the Cincinnati, OH area and in Kentucky. He used to play in his grandmas barn, and would jump down on bales of hay. That was the beginning to, "let's learn to fly." It is said, "you can't teach a dog new tricks," but being so young, he tried to learn them all, tricks that is. This book is an offering of many of his accomplishments in the flying arena along with excerpts from some of the funniest statements by many of his pilot friends. You might say some are almost like short stories in themselves. So much happens during the flying period of time for a pilot. The responsibility and learning factor is huge. Most will say "it is all worth it." The book, hopefully, will bring laughter & a time to relax to all of who choose to read it. ENJOY

The definitive, dramatic, minute-by-minute story of the Challenger space shuttle disaster based on fascinating in-depth reporting and new archival research – this is riveting history that reads like a thriller.

On the morning of 28 January 1986, just seventy-three seconds into flight, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. Millions around the world witnessed the tragic deaths of the crew, which included schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. Like the assassination of JFK, the Challenger disaster is a defining moment in twentieth century history – one that forever changed the way America thought of itself and its optimistic view of the future. Yet the full story of what happened – and why – has never been told.

Based on extensive archival research and meticulous, original reporting, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space follows a handful of central protagonists – including each of the seven members of the doomed crew – through the years leading up to the accident, a detailed account of the tragedy itself, and into the investigation that followed. It’s a compelling tale of optimism and ingenuity shattered by political cynicism and cost-cutting in the interests of burnishing national prestige; of hubristic ‘go fever’; and of an investigation driven by heroic leakers and whistle-blowers determined to bring the truth to light.

With astonishing clarity and narrative verve, Adam Higginbotham reveals the history of the shuttle program, the lives of men and women whose stories have been overshadowed by the disaster, as well as the designers, engineers and test pilots who struggled against the odds to get the first shuttle into space. A masterful blend of riveting human drama, fascinating science and shocking political infighting, Challenger brings to life a turning point in our history. The result is an even more complex and extraordinary story than any of us remembered – or thought possible.

Have you ever dreamed of being able to change your destiny? The opportunity of a new exciting career, beautiful location and a man to die for. But is the grass always greener on the other side? Catherine Kane soon finds out and is in for a roller coaster ride and perhaps what she's left behind is what she could have been looking for in the first place.

In the late 1950s I left a world of simple pleasures, where the pace of life was slow and time almost stood still, and I arrived in a place where my every movement was to be governed by the ticking of the clock. In this new world I had no time to stand and stare, nor to sit amongst the flowers or to count the bees rather than the hours, and I ve lived between these two worlds ever since.Nothing seems ever to stand still. For when I began my journey from my place of birth and native land, there was a rural village with rocks and stones at the seashore. We used these same rocks and stones to build our homes.I remember the palm trees and grape trees. The trees had formed an alliance that protected the land from the onslaught of the huge Atlantic waves. The Atlantic eventually overcame the alliance and swept away the rocks, the stones, and the palm trees.And, as I look back, I ask myself two questions: What has become of my island 's people?Their slow pace of life and the simple pleasures that they once enjoyed have been replaced by twenty-four-hour television and gadgets imported from abroad. The old fashioned, friendly buses that carried the people with their produce to the market have been replaced by vans that drive at great speed along narrow winding roads. To pay for these new pleasures, the islanders have exported their brightest, youngest, and most talented people.And what has happened to the place that I now call home; how has it changed?Gone are the British Council 's representatives reassuring smiles of welcome to young students at the ports. Gone are the smoking chimneys, the back-to-back urban houses, and their friendly neighbourhoods.Acres of land and fields have been given over to long hypnotic stretches of motorways. Elegant Georgian and Victorian homes have been replaced by large estates, and the skyline is interrupted by high-rise blocks of metal and concrete.But there are many remaining joys that I cherish. These include the stoicism of the people and their humour, the easy access to places of culture, and the deep and lasting friendships that I have made.

NASA Aeronautics Book Series. By Peter W. Merlin, et al. Contains a collection of case studies of mishaps involving experimental aircraft, aerospace vehicles, and spacecraft in which human factors played a significant role. Offered as a learning tool so that future organizations, programs, and projects may not be destined to repeat the mistakes of the past. Written in such a way as to be useful to a wide audience. Each case study includes a detailed analysis of aeromedical and organizational factors for the benefit of students, teachers, and others with an academic interest in human factors issues in the aerospace environment. Each story includes historical background.