Quest for All-Weather Flight
Morrison, Tom
A beautiful clear sunny day - How often does that happen? Infrequently in the temperate latitudes and besides, half the year is spent in darkness. So at a stroke, the early aviators found themselves unable to fly for a large percentage of the
year. Fog, low cloud, darkness and storms were all enemies confronting both military and civil aviation for much of the first part of the last century. An even more dangerous scenario was to have become airborne in glorious conditions and then to be surprised by bad weather
en route. When flying blind, the early aviators could barely keep an aircraft on an even keel, flying straight and level, let
alone navigate to the nearest runway in zero visibility.
Things did change, and in a big way. We learn of the development of the first elementary flying instruments, the
invention of the giro compass and the rapid development of electronic and other radio aids during World War II. The
revolution was led by four countries: the USA, Britain, France and Germany. It is a fascinating tale of how within 79 years a whole new technology came into being. The achievements of this quest, the political events that drove it and were driven by it, the aircrew who made it happen and the acceptance of certain ultimate limitations are the themes of this book.
Hardcover with dust jacket
320 Seiten / pages
photos and illustrations
very good condition
England - 2002 - Airlife Publishing Ltd.
Art.Nr. 5160
