A unique insight into the UK air-ambulance service, with the aim of raising awareness of the remarkable work carried out by the services, and the effort required behind the scenes to ensure the successful, safe and efficient operation of helicopters and crew around the country. This book looks at the history of air ambulance services, the various different models for their structure, how they are funded, organised and run, the helicopters used and the roles of crew members and support staff, with case studies of typical missions undertaken. Written with the cooperation of Haynes’ local air ambulance service – Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – a donation from each copy sold will be made to the national Air Ambulances UK charity.

People always seemed amused whenever Gretchen Ryan recounted tales of her transformative experiences as an air hostess in days gone by. Many even suggested she write a book about it. So she did. These were the debauched days of flying in the 80s, when flying was sexy, hanky-panky abounded, smoking was permitted, passengers wore suits, the cockpit was never locked and the cutlery was made of steel. This was a time of excess, wryly disguised as fun. This humorous, tongue-in-cheek memoir recalls amusing incidents, and a fair few tragedies, both in the air and around the world, as Gretchen's adventures saw her bounding through London, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Ilha do Sal and New York. Against the backdrop of this 'anything-goes' world of flying, for 10 years life was a kaleidoscope of fun and excitement.

This modern text presents aerodynamic design of aircraft with realistic applications, using CFD software and guidance on its use. Tutorials, exercises, and mini-projects provided involve design of real aircraft, ranging from straight to swept to slender wings, from low speed to supersonic. Supported by online resources and supplements, this toolkit covers topics such as shape optimization to minimize drag and collaborative designing. Prepares seniors and first-year graduate students for design and analysis tasks in aerospace companies. In addition, it is a valuable resource for practicing engineers, aircraft designers, and entrepreneurial consultants.

Ethiopian Airlines was founded in 1945 by the Ethiopian government with the assistance of Western airlines. With a fleet of war-surplus Dakotas, the airline took to the sky. At first, only domestic and regional destinations were served, forcing the airline to build makeshift airstrips. However, in 1957, Douglas DC-6s and a Lockheed Constellation were obtained and flights to Europe commenced. In the 1960s, Ethiopian entered the jet age with the purchase of Boeing 720s, later supplemented with 707s. Despite various political, economic, and social obstacles, Ethiopian Airlines continued to invest and grow, expanding to other African countries and further abroad. As passenger transport has declined, as a result of the global pandemic, it currently utilizes its cargo business to transport medical supplies. Illustrated with over 100 images, this book shows how Ethiopian Airlines has remained the powerhouse of African aviation.

The story of a pioneering airline and a historically significant aircraft; the combination changed the world of air commerce forever. This unique book tells the story of the Douglas DC-8 jetliner in the service of air cargo giant Flying Tiger Line, with a detailed individual airframe history of every one of the forty-seven DC-8s that flew for the airline; pilot s recollections of their time on type; a wealth of photographic, technical and promotional material; and a pair of epic historical essays. The first covers the history of the airline, of American Volunteer Group pilots in China in World War 2, evolving into a fly-by-night cargo outfit in the propliner era, growing in size and sophistication until the Flying Tiger Line was a global brand in air cargo in the golden days of the jet age. The other essay covers the DC-8 from the beginning of the Douglas story in the time of the Wright Bros right up to the last active DC-8 of today including an in-depth look at NASA s DC-8-72 flying laboratory.Aviation journalist Charles Kennedy (Airliner World, Aviation News, Airways) and historian Guy Van Herbruggen (who led the project to rescue and restore the original Flying Tigers DC-8 simulator) have created an essential addition to every aviation enthusiasts bookshelf. .

The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the RAF. Although overshadowed by the Spitfire, during the Battle of Britain the Hurricane accounted for 60% of the RAF's air victories in the battle, and served in all the major theatres of the Second World War. The 1930s design evolved through several versions and adaptations, resulting in a series of aircraft that acted as interceptor-fighters, fighter-bombers (also called 'Hurribombers'), and ground support aircraft. Further versions known as the Sea Hurricane had modifications that enabled operation from ships. Some were converted as catapult-launched convoy escorts, known as 'Hurricats'. More than 14,583 Hurricanes were built by the end of 1944 (including at least 800 converted to Sea Hurricanes and some 1,400 built in Canada.

The book collates a variety of pamphlets and manuals on the plane that were produced throughout the war for the benefit of pilots and others associated with the aircraft.

Berkshire began the Second World War in 1939 with virtually no military airfields. However, this quickly changed and a massive building programme was soon underway, initially intended to provide training facilities for bomber crews. As the newly built airfields became operational, some were taken over by the USAAF including Greenham Common, Membury and Welford and they were involved in the planning and eventual execution of operation Overlord, the Allied D-Day assault upon Fortress Europe. White Waltham near Maidenhead will always be remembered as the headquarters of the legendary Air Transport Auxiliary, whose male and then increasingly female pilots - including Amy Johnson - ferried every type of aircraft from the factories to the front line airfields. Not only did the ATA prove that girls had excellent flying skills, but also that they were capable of piloting solo the largest bombers. This book describes the history of each airfield, highlights some of the major operations carried out from them, and marks their overall contribution to the great war effort. The effects of the war on the daily lives of the people living in Berkshire are also described. Reading and Newbury in particular realised the constant dangers they faced from random daylight attacks by German planes. Robin Brook's action-packed account will bring back vivid memories for many. It is a sharp reminder of the time when the skies never ceased to throb with the drone of departing and returning aircraft.

The Junkers Ju 87 Stuka (a contraction of the German word Sturzkampfflugzeug, ie dive bomber) was arguably the Luftwaffe s most recognisable aeroplane, with its inverted gull wings and fixed spatted undercarriage. Designed by Hermann Pohlmann as a dedicated dive bomber and ground-attack aircraft, the prototype first flew in 1935, and made its combat debut in 1937 with the Luftwaffe's Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. After several design changes in the light of operational experiences, the Stuka went on to serve the Luftwaffe and Axis forces, from the invasion of Poland in 1939, through the Battles of France and Britain in 1940, over the North African desert and the across Mediterranean, the invasion of Russia and the subsequent bitter fighting in that vast area, and following several more design changes and upgrades, continued to serve through to the end of World War Two. This latest addition to the growing Flight Craft range, follows the previous well established format, in that it is split in to three main sections. The first section, after offering a concise design and development history, continues with coverage of the various sub-types, from Anton to Gustav and their operational use from the Spanish Civil War to the end of World War Two. This is followed by a 16-page full colour illustration section featuring detailed profiles and 2-views of the colour schemes and markings carried by the type in Luftwaffe and Axis service. The final section lists as many of the injection-moulded plastic model kits produced of the Junkers Ju 87 in all the major scales that the authors could find details of, including the brand new Airfix 1/72 and 1/48 scale kits which were released while this book was being written, with photos of many finished models made by some of the world s best modellers. As with all the other books in the Flight Craft range, whilst published primarily with the scale aircraft modeller in mind, it is hoped that those readers who might perhaps describe themselves as 'occasional' modellers, or even simply aviation enthusiasts, may also find that this colourful and informative work offers something to provoke their interests too.

On January 26, 1949, Garuda Indonesia was officially established as Indonesia's government-owned flag carrier. To begin with, the airline focused on domestic and regional travel. However, in 1962, the Dutch-occupied island of Dutch New Guinea was added to the Indonesian territory and Garuda faced the huge challenge of starting up flights to the very remote and isolated settlements of Irian Jaya. Fortunately, the airline had the assistance of another Indonesian government-owned airline, Merpati, which would later become a feeder and subsidiary of Garuda.In the mid-1980s, a massive reorganisation led to Garuda offering international flights, which required the modernisation of the entire fleet. The late '90s saw a new management having to cope with the disastrous effects of the Asian financial crisis closely followed by the deregulation of the aviation industry in 2000, which greatly increased competition in the domestic market. Over subsequent years, Garuda has faced many more challenges, from the effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Bali bombings to the 2003 SARS epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite these setbacks, it has successfully transitioned from a small domestic carrier to a player on the international stage. This fully illustrated volume looks at Garuda's turbulent history from its involvement in Indonesia's postwar struggle for independence to operations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. 120 colour photographs

The first widely used commercial jet, the Boeing 707 brought America into the 'Jet Age' of the late 1950s and created the template for worldwide air travel today. The 707 first flew on December 20, 1957, and less than a year later it made its first commercial flight from New York to Paris. Initially flown mainly by Pan American, the Boeing 707 was soon operated by both domestic and international airlines around the world, and the popularity of the aircraft led to increased development of air-traffic-control systems, airport terminals, runways and airport infrastructure. The 707 remained in production until late 1978, by which time it was too small to handle the increased passenger densities on many routes, and it was retired to make way for more-modern jetliner types. By the end of production, a total of 1,010 aircraft had been built for civil use, though many of these subsequently found their way into military service, and purpose-built military variants remained in production until 1991. This book provides a fascinating portfolio of images depicting a wide range of Boeing 707 variants in service around the world, in passenger, cargo and military use. Like the aircraft itself, the photographs, taken at airports in North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, span the world, showcasing many of the aircraft's diverse and colourful liveries. 180 illustrations

The vision of Alliott Verdon Roe and his team in designing and building the 748 resulted in a highly successful commercial airliner, that since the 1960s has been responsible for opening new air routes in many corners of the world. Many of the airstrips into which the 748 formerly operated are now fully fledged international airports, with paved runways, sophisticated air traffic control and navigation equipment, and shops, but it was not always this way. In the early days, the 748 proved its worth worldwide by operating on dirt airstrips and at high elevations and temperatures. Spanning a period of almost 30 years, this book sets out to illustrate some of the many operators of the type, from the initial Series 1 to the final Series 2B. Fully illustrated with over 100 photographs, many of which have not previously been in the public domain, this book dives into the history and global impact of the Avro 748. 100 illustrations

Having been classified by the Air Ministry as a 'Master Diversion' airfield, RAF Manston was for many years open twenty-four hours a day and available to both civil and military aircraft 365 days a year. It was also later equipped with the Pyrene foam system, which both civil and military aircraft could use when they had problems with their undercarriage: there is no doubt that the foam carpet saved many lives. The most spectacular occasion that it was used was on 20 April 1967 when a British Eagle Britannia made a complete wheels-up landing. It is claimed that Manston was the only station to serve in every command of the RAF and until its closure in 1999; it probably dealt with more diverse types of aircraft than any other station. During its eighty-three years as a Royal Naval/ RAF airfield, it played host to the Sopwith Camel, Spitfire, Bf 109, He 111, B-29, B-47, Tu-104, F-84 and Concorde, plus many other types that are too numerous to mention.

Beginning in the late 1950s, the Boeing 707 revolutionized passenger aviation like almost no other aircraft, as the elegant four-engine aircraft made it possible to serve intercontinental long-haul routes quickly and economically. This volume in the Legends of Flight series examines the history of this classic jet aircraft, whose memorable design has survived to this day, its basic features still recognizable in the Boeing 737. The history of 707 operations is presented in detail, as is the use of the type by various world military forces and governments-and its famed use as the US presidential Air Force One in the 1960s through the 1980s. Its use by many of the world's most famous airlines, including American, TWA, Pan Am, Northwest, Continental, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, and Air India, is also covered. Technical specifications for the 707, the Dash 80 prototype, the Boeing 720 (derived from the 707), the aerial refueler KC-135, and E-3 Sentry, as well as contemporaneous photographs, bring to life the fascinating history of Boeing's first commercial jetliner.

This book tells the often dramatic and always fascinating story of flight in lighter than air machines. For centuries man had dreamed of flying, but all attempts failed, until in 1782 the Montgolfier brothers constructed the world's first hot air balloon The following year saw the first ascent with aeronauts - not human beings but a sheep, a duck and a cockerel. But it was not long before men and women too took to the air and became ever more adventurous. The aeronauts became famous giving displays before crowds of thousands, often accompanied by special effects. In the early years, ballooning was a popular pastime, but in the 19th century it found a new use with the military. Balloons were used to send messages out during the Siege of Paris and later found a role as observation balloons for the artillery. But their use was always limited by the fact that they were at the mercy of the wind. There were numerous attempts at steering balloons, and various attempts were made to power them but it was the arrival of the internal combustion engine that saw the balloon transformed into the airship. The most famous developer of airships was Graf von Zeppelin and the book tells the story of the use of his airships in both peacetime and at war. There were epic adventures including flights over the poles and for a time, commercial airships flourished - then came the disaster of the Hindenburg. Airships still fly today and ballooning has become a hugely popular pastime.

This title explores the scope of women's activities in aviation, from the time of the Wright Brothers to the present day. After highlighting the earliest female aviators, as well as the trailblazers of the inter-war period such as Amy Johnson and Amelia Earhart, the book goes on to examine the experience of women in aviation during the Second World War, including those flying with the Air Transport Auxiliary and the American Women Airforce Service Pilots. The post-war years are also covered and the title emphasises the growth in women's participation in civil and military spheres of aviation - by the last decades of the twentieth century, women had progressed even further, undertaking many of the jobs previously reserved for men, including space flight and combat flying. From the earliest women to obtain pilot's licenses to the female astronauts of the modern day, this is a concise introduction to the development of British and American women's roles in aviation.

When Ronald Waters bought 90 acres of farmland adjacent to the Gatwick racecourse in 1930 in order to set up a private airfield, little did he know how that airfield would evolve over the next eighty-nine years to become the world's busiest single-runway airport. Back in the 1960s and '70s it became a hub for aircraft enthusiasts and photographers who, thanks to the viewing decks, could get up close to the aircraft and enjoy the eclectic mix of new jetliners and old propeller airliners. Tom Singfield, ex-Gatwick Air Traffic Controller and a fan of all classic airliners, has long dreamt of a book showcasing the glory days of Gatwick's classic airliners. After thirty years of searching out the very best colour images of that time, he is now able to publish the results of his searches in this book. These stunning pictures celebrate those wonderful times and the amazing and much missed 'propliners' that operated from Gatwick for the first twenty years after its reopening in 1958.