The XF-11 was originally conceived as a dedicated reconnaissance aircraft, capable of high-speed penetration of enemy defenses. The plane's design benefitted from research work by its builder, the brilliant and sometimes mercurial Howard Hughes. Inspired by an experimental aircraft he had created known as the DX-2, Hughes' XF-11 was a twin-engine, twin-boom, tricycle gear monoplane that featured a pressurized nacelle for its crew and 28-cylinder engines with contra-rotating props. Hughes piloted the XF-11 on its maiden flight, and was nearly killed when one of the props reversed its pitch and the plane crashed. After Hughes recovered from his injuries, he piloted a second prototype outfitted with conventional props. By then the Air Force had already made up its mind: the XF-11 would never enter service. Originally printed by Hughes and the Air Force this handbook provides a fascinating glimpse inside the cockpit of this plane. This manual is declassified. Please note: due to the archival nature of this document, print quality can vary.

John P. Nghiwete's The In-Flight Diversion Handbook is a thorough, well-written, and truly unique guide that can help any pilot learn how to navigate their aircraft using the tried-and-tested methods and techniques that have been proven highly effective by the pilots of yesteryear, and which can be a useful back-up to the high-tech gadgets that modern-day pilots are increasingly taking for granted.

Designed by Douglas Aircraft Co.s brilliant engineer Ed Heinemann, the turbojet powered, delta-wing A-4 Skyhawk played a key role in conflicts from Vietnam to the Falklands and Yom Kippur Wars. The Skyhawk was intended to replace the venerable Skyraider as a carrier-based, ground attack aircraft, yet Heinemanns design looked nothing like its predecessor. Its small, lightweight airframe was so compact that its wings did not even have to be folded for carrier stowage, and it surpassed the Navys design specification for weight by nearly 100%. No wonder the nimble jet was dubbed Heinemanns Hot Rod. The A-4 entered service in 1956, and first saw combat during the early days of the Vietnam War where it flew as a light attack aircraft. Its service in S.E. Asia was prolific, as it flew literally thousands of strike and escort missions and even scored an air-to-air victory over a North Vietnamese MiG. A Marine A-4 is believed to be the last American aircraft to drop bombs on Vietnam. During the conflict 362 Skyhawks were lost. The Navy retired the Skyhawk in 1975, although it continued flying as a trainer and adversary aircraft as late as 2003. Nearly 3,000 Skyhawks were built before production ceased in 1979, including a two- seat trainer model TA-4. The Skyhawk was widely exported and saw combat with the air forces of Kuwait, Israel and Argentina. This pilots manual was originally classified restricted but has now been declassified and is here reprinted in book form

Used primarily as a long-range bomber escort in raids over Germany, the North American P-51 Mustang earned a reputation for toughness and agility in dogfights. Carrying a two-stage supercharged V-12 Merlin engine and armed with six .50 caliber machine guns, the P-51 helped the Allies gain air superiority in the skies over Europe. P-51s were flown by the famed Tuskegee Airmen, and remained in service during the Korean War. World airforces made extensive use of the Mustang, some into the 1980's. Originally published by North American Aviation and the U.S. Army Air Force in 1945, this manual was originally classified "Restricted." It was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been reformatted, and color images appear as black and white. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text

Created by Lockheed's brilliant designer Kelly Johnson, the SR-71 Blackbird is one of the most legendary aircraft to emerge from the famous "Skunk Works." Capable of Mach 3 flight, the SR-71 could survey 100,000 miles of the earth's surface from an altitude of 80,000 feet. The SR-71 holds a coast-to-coast speed record of 64 minutes flown at over 2100 m.p.h. The SR-71 flew from 1964-1998 for the USAF (with a brief retirement from 1989- 1995), and completed over 17,000 sorties and over 11,500 hours at Mach 3. During that time 12 of the 32 aircraft produced were lost in accidents, although with only one fatality. The Blackbird also flew as a NASA research aircraft from 1992-99. Originally created for the elite group of pilots who drove "the sled," this Flight Operating Handbook provides a revealing look into the cockpit of one of history's great planes. Just recently de-classified, this book contains all the basic instructions for the SR-71A and twin-cockpit SR-71B training model. Please note, this book was created from a classified original made available through the Freedom of Information Act. As a result some pages may have substandard print quality. A limited number of pages are unavailable or still classified and have been omitted. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

Jean Batten was born in Rotorua, New Zealand and developped a love for aviation from an early age. Her father did not approve of her love of flying and she and her mother moved to London in order to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. Jean received her license at the London Aeroplane Club at Stag Lane and began planning for a flight from England to Australia to surpass the Amy Johnson's record. After two failed attempts, she succeeded in 1934, flying a Gipsy Moth and became a great hero in Australia, New Zealand and England. In 1935 she broke James Mollison's records for England to Brazil and Dakar to Natal and became the first woman to fly solo across the South Atlantic. She also shared a Harmon Trophy with Amelia Earhart in 1935. In 1937 she set another record for an Australia to England flight both ways. During World War II Jean Batten gave up flying and eventually became a recluse, living with her mother in Majorca, Spain and appearing in public only for a few events. She died in obscurity in Majorca in 1982. The international terminal at Auckland Airport is named in her honor.

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator first saw combat in June of 1942, making a daring raid into Nazi-occupied Romania to bomb the oil fields at Ploesti. Nearly 18,500 Liberators were built during World War II, making it by far the most-produced American combat aircraft. It served in many roles beyond heavy bomber, transport, and anti-submarine patrol, and flew in Africa, Europe, India, the Atlantic, India and the Pacific Theatre. Originally printed by the United States Army Air Force in 1942, the B-24 Liberator pilot's flight manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Originally "Restricted," the manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been reformatted, and color images appear as black and white. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.

Designed as a replacement for the U.S. Navy's F2H Banshee, the McDonnell F3H Demon fighter served with the fleet for nearly a decade, including during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Although it could not fly at supersonic speeds, the Demon served admirably as an all-weather interceptor and flew alongside the F8U Crusader and F11F Tiger. Armed with up to four 20mm cannons, the aircraft could also fire Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles. Over 500 Demons were built. The planes were dubbed "The Chair" by pilots due to its high-visibility cockpit, but it was also called the "lead sled" due to its poor power to weight ratio. The Demon was replaced by the F-4 Phantom in 1964. Originally printed by McDonnell and the U.S. Navy, this F3H Demon Pilot's Flight Operating Instruction manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Originally classified "Restricted," the manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form.

North American Aviation's X-15 rocket plane flew at Mach 6.72 and at altitudes above 67 miles -- at the threshold of space. The men who piloted this amazing plane became the USAF's first astronauts. Powered by an XLR-99 engine capable of producing 70,000 pounds of thrust at peak altitude, the X-15 pushed the flight envelope for manned aircraft past the post office. Notably, both Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong and Space Shuttle commander Joe Engle piloted the X-15. Originally published by North American for the USAF and later NASA, this Flight Operating Handbook represents a 1963 update of the original version first printed in 1961. Just recently declassified, it provides a revealing look into one of history's great planes. Also included in this edition is a rare X-15 rescue manual made for the plane's ground crew. Please note: due to the archival nature of some portions of the original documents, image and text quality may vary. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

The largest piston-powered airplane ever mass-produced, Convair's B-36 "Peacemaker" was also the world's first thermonuclear bomber. The genesis of this behemoth can be traced to WWII, when U.S. planners determined that if the British were defeated, a very-long-range bomber would be needed to battle the Nazis. The prototype B-36 flew in 1946 and was quickly upgraded as the need for a bomber with a large lifting capacity - the early fission and later hydrogen bombs were both large and heavy - became paramount. Yet, when it entered active service in 1949, the "aluminum overcast" was already considered obsolete due to its four jet, six Wasp radial engine power-plant configuration. Nevertheless, nearly 400 B-36s were built and flew as strategic deterrents before the plane was retired in 1959. Originally printed by the U.S. Air Force, this Flight Operating Handbook is an authentic reprint of an original. Classified "Restricted," the manual was declassified and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been slightly reformatted. Some color images appear in black and white. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

One of the most storied aircraft of WWII, the Vought F4U-4 Corsair was the first single engine production aircraft capable of 400 mph in level flight. With its characteristic gull wing and giant 18-cylinder Double Wasp engine, it proved a superb fighter in the Pacific Theater and achieved victory ratio approaching 11 to 1. The exploits of the famed Black Sheep Squadron of Corsairs was recounted by their leader, Marine fighter ace Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, in the book "Baa Baa Black Sheep." This Flight Operating Instructions manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before climbing into the cockpit. Originally classified "Restricted," the manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. This revised version includes an original assembly breakdown manual as an appendix.

Grumman's A-6 Intruder served as the Navy's pre-eminent all-weather, medium attack aircraft from 1963 to 1997. Nearly 700 were built. The Intruder was aptly named, as the A-6 quickly proved it could perform its mission -- flying low and alone in any weather - better than any aircraft of its era. Known for its versatility, the subsonic Intruder also gained a workhorse reputation due to its range, ability to carry vast quantities of ordnance and fuel, and its day and night striking capability. The A-6 served with distinction in Vietnam, where it dropped more ordnance than the B-52. Flying low-level raids, the aircraft was susceptible to ground fire. 84 Intruders were lost, but the toughness of the planes and their pilots made them legendary, and inspired the book and film The Flight of the Intruder. In the years after Vietnam, the aircraft built on its reputation. It served in the skies over Lebanon in support of United Nations actions and flew punitive raids on Libya in 1986, neatly evading over 100 guided missiles in the process. During Operation Desert Storm, the plane logged more than 4,700 combat sorties. The A-6 was retired by the Marine Corps. in 1993, and by the U.S. Navy in 1997. A variant, the EA-6B electronic warfare platform continues to fly. This pilot's manual for the A-6 was originally printed by Grumman and the U.S. Navy. Originally classified "restricted," it has now been declassified and is here reprinted in book form.

Field manual (FM) 3-04.300 is designed to serve as a doctrinal guide focusing on the primary aspects of airfield procedures in full spectrum operations. While it contains guidelines for aviation unit commanders and aviators, the manual is intended primarily for use by airfield operations battalions (AOBs) and installation flight operations personnel. It is applicable to division, corps, Theater Aviation Command (TAC), Theater and Area Sustainment Commands, and the Army aviation community, including members of allied, coalition, and civilsupport forces. This manual outlines the organization and services of the theater airfield operations groups (TAOGs), AOBs, aviation unit plans and operations staff, and installation airfield management operations. It explains personnel qualifications, duties, and responsibilities; it provides information on airfield design and security and support requirements when planning and operating an airfield within a theater of operations (TO) or during homelandsecurity operations. Installation airfield management structure, responsibilities, services, safety, and National Airspace System (NAS) requirements are presented in part III of this manual. Appendix A details the numerous checklists necessary for adequate airfield assessment and the duties required for airfield opening. Appendix B discusses the characteristics of military aircraft. Appendix C addresses Army and Air Force airfield planning.Appendix D discusses letters and facility memorandums. Appendix E discusses emergency plans and procedures.

Field manual (FM) 3-04.240 is specifically prepared for aviators authorized to fly Army aircraft. This manual presents the fundamentals, procedures, and techniques for instrument flying and air navigation. FM 3-04.240 facilitates adherence to Army regulation (AR) 95-1 by providing guidance and procedures forstandard Army instrument flying. Aircraft flight instrumentation and mission objectives are varied, making instruction general for equipment and detailed for accomplishment of maneuvers. Guidance found in this manual is both technique and procedure oriented. Aircraft operator manuals provide the detailed instructionsrequired for particular aircraft instrumentation or characteristics. When used with related flight directives and publications, this publication provides adequate guidance for instrument flight under most circumstances but is not a substitute for sound judgment; circumstances may require modification of prescribed procedures. Aircrew members charged with the safe operation of United States Army, Army National Guard (ARNG), or United States Army Reserve (USAR) aircraft must be knowledgeable of the guidance contained in this field manual.

Amelia Earhart was twice the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air: initially in 1928 as a passenger just a year after Lindbergh's pioneering flight and then in 1932 flying solo. Like her contemporaries Amy Johnson and Beryl Markham she was featured in all the fashionable magazines of the day as a symbol of the new independent woman. The list of records Amelia established reads like a catalogue of aviation history and includes the first flights from Hawaii to California and from California to Mexico. In 1937 she attempted with a copilot, Frederick J. Noonan, to fly around the world, but her plane was lost on the flight between New Guinea and Howland Island. Despite extensive searches neither wreckage nor bodies were ever found. Many theories exist but there is no proof of her fate. Amelia will always be remembered for her courage, vision and groundbreaking achievements both in aviation and for women.

Visionary designer Jack Northrop built a series of experimental "flying wing" aircraft both before and during WWII. One of the most radical designs of the post-war era, the propeller-driven YB-35 bomber's all-wing design minimized drag and promised maximum payload capacity and terrific endurance. The YB-49, a turbojet powered variant built on the YB-35 airframe, forever altered aviation history and inspired the design of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Originally printed by Northrop Aircraft in 1948, the YB-49 Flying Wing Pilot's Flight Operating Manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Originally classified "Restricted," the manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been reformatted, and color images appear as black and white. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.

Bush Pilots Do it in Fours follows Roy Watson's flying career and his fascination with all things airborne, from the very first steps through the restoration of a Tiger Moth, Aeronca and Zlin and some exposure to aerobatics in these 'older' flying machines. Thereafter, it moves towards larger aircraft, with his experiences maintaining Hawker Siddley 748's. Roy was heavily involved in establishing an airline, specifically aimed at supplying food, to impoverished Africa and a close involvement with Russian Aircraft and Douglas DC4's. What follows is his first taste of true 'bush flying', which evoked a distinct passion and love for the DC-4 (which inspired the title of the novel itself). The novel finally ends up with the challenging repair and subsequent conversion onto the Boeing 707. The flying exploits vary from humorous undertakings and happenings with his elderly light aircraft up to major expeditions in commercial airliners stretching from the Antarctic as far as the Northernmost Parts of Africa. Roy describes many incidents in the air, on the ground, and with the local population in a light-hearted and entertaining light that is sure to evoke a smile or two.

An aircraft- and flight-themed puzzle book compiled by Dr Gareth Moore, author of the bestselling Mindfulness Puzzle Books among many others, done with the support of The RAF Association, a membership organisation and registered charity that has been providing welfare support to the RAF family for over 90 years. Their membership of 74,000 includes serving RAF personnel, veterans and members of the public. Pilots need to be able to think quickly and react immediately to unexpected, complex situations. This book consists of puzzles that test a wide range of skills that might be expected of a pilot. The book's five chapters cover: Cognitive challengesPuzzles which require the reader to solve logic puzzles of a range of types, testing many different types of reasoning skill. Just as pilots have to do, the puzzles require readers to focus on both the big picture - what they are trying to achieve - and the small picture of each individual deduction or decision. Survival skillsThe challenges in this section are all about speed. No complex logic is required, but all of the puzzles must be solved as quickly as possible - though without making any mistakes. This reflects a pilot's need to make quick, accurate decisions while flying. Visual abilitiesThe puzzles in this part of the book test 3D manipulation and other visual transformation skills, mirroring a pilot's need to be able to understand the world around them as more than just a flat picture. Memory testsDespite the advanced abilities of modern devices, it's still important to be able to maintain a ready awareness of the current situation and active goals, and so in this section the reader is helped to practise and improve their memorization and recall skills with a series of simple games. Knowledge trainingIn this section a reader's knowledge of the real-world aircraft and situations that the RAF and other air forces has handled is tested, with a range of quiz-related questions that are sometimes solved by cracking codes so that readers aren't required to have any specialist knowledge to take part. This section also includes specific tasks such as navigation.

This guide is a user friendly guide for your private pilot certificate. This guide will help you identify the knowledge areas and flight skills required for your private pilot certificate, also you can use this guide for your preparation for the checkride.