Aviation Nonfiction

In the Spring of 1915, a Parisian playboy took to the lethal skies of World War I, becoming the world’s first fighter pilot. Never before had a lone pilot hunted down other aviators. Roland Garros’ aerial exploits unleashed unlimited air combat and changed warfare forever. Before leaving French café society for the Western Front, the young pilot set aviation records, won air races, and introduced manned flight to thrilled crowds in the USA, Europe, and Latin America. Garros scouted for the US Army, strolled as a Boulevardier, sold sports cars, played classical piano, was a lawyer, a ...

When a pilots sends a "mayday" message, it means there is serious trouble. Discover the fascinating true tales of people who lived to tell about their own terrifying airplane disasters, and what they did to survive.

Listen to the story of how Wilbur and Orville Wright developed, tested, and successfully flew the first powered airplane.

Just nine years after American women finally got the right to vote, a group of trailblazers soared to new heights in the 1929 Air Derby, the first women's air race across the U.S. Follow the incredible lives of legend Amelia Earhart, who has captivated generations; Marvel Crosson, who built a plane before she even learned how to fly; Louise Thaden, who shattered jaw-dropping altitude records; and Elinor Smith, who at age 17 made headlines when she flew under the Brooklyn Bridge. Born to Fly is the gripping story of the fearless women pilots who aimed for the skies - and beyond.

In the early days of aviation, a handful of fearless pilots defied deserts, mountains, and oceans to deliver letters across continents. This is their story. Wings Across the World takes readers on a breathtaking journey through the golden age of airmail, chronicling the daring exploits of France’s legendary Aéropostale pilots—Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Jean Mermoz, Henri Guillaumet, and others—whose courage, skill, and ingenuity made history. From the scorching sands of the Sahara to the perilous heights of the Andes and the endless expanse of the South Atlantic, these men risked ...

This book is the product of The Earhart Project, a thirty-four-year investigation of the Earhart tragedy by The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery. TIGHAR investigators had no agenda. They were not out to advocate, excuse, honor, or impugn. They saw the Earhart disappearance as an aviation accident and reasoned the answer to its cause and outcome should be discoverable if they could find, assemble, and analyze the relevant data.

Follow along with “Captain Bob” Young as he crosses the USA from Santa Monica to Connecticut and back in his two seater airplane. He visits old and new friends while searching for himself and discovering the good in us all.

In February 1942, a reconnaissance party of US Army Air Force officers arrived in England. Firmly wedded to the doctrine of daylight precision bombing, they believed they could help turn the tide of the war in Europe. In the months that followed, they formed the Eighth Air Force—an organization that grew at an astonishing rate. To accommodate it, almost seventy airfields were built across the eastern counties of England. At the heart of the Eighth Air Force was its bombardment groups, each equipped with scores of heavily armed, four-engine bombers. This is the story of just one "Bomb Group".

Dozens of astronauts travel to space every year, but what makes these amazing trips possible? Max Axiom has the answers. Join Max as he explores the science and engineering behind space travel.

Float through the sky under a giant, colorful balloon! Listen for the facts on hot air balloons.

The US Air Force is a powerful military force. But there is more to this high-flying military branch than you might imagine. These surprising facts about the US Air Force will amaze you.

Air Force One keeps the U.S. president safe while flying. Learn more about the features that protect this amazing plane. Also find out how team members protect the president as he travels on Air Force One.

Militaries need fast and powerful machines in the air. Fighter jets, cargo planes, and other amazing aircraft zoom over land and water to get the job done!

This volume includes Wheel Loaders, Ships, Fire Trucks, Garbage Trucks, Monster Trucks, Race Cars, Tractors, Trains, Airplanes, Graders, Motorcycles, Police Cars, and Trucks.

The remaining US aviation forces, along with the US Air Force and US Navy and Marine aviation assets, would not be easily removed from the battle. For the US forces still in-country, this is an untold story of heroism, dedication, and refusal to yield the battlefield despite being largely considered by US political leaders as "expendable."

Listeners will learn over 100 facts about military sea and military air vehicles, such as helicopters, bombers, and stealth flighters, as well as submarines, mammoth ships, and militarized barges.

With drone use soaring, remotely piloted aircraft have captured people’s imaginations. Militaries, businesses, and hobbyists are continually finding new ways to use UAVs and develop their technology. Drones in some countries now deliver food and packages. Young listeners will find out about exciting drone technology improvements and what they might lead to in the future.

Helicopters and airplanes aren’t the only aircraft launching to the skies anymore. Thousands of recreational drones are launched every day. Whether owners make their own drones or buy them, recreational drone use shows no signs of slowing down. Young listeners will learn all about these UAVs and the rules those flying them need to follow.

Air travel is one of the safest methods of transportation, but when a disaster happens, it captures the public's imagination. Learn about how airplanes are built, how researchers investigate a crash, how engineers are making planes safer, and more.

“Ready to work” describes the heavy-duty machines featured in this series. They are made to dig, haul, transport, and rescue, usually with incredible horsepower or speed. Each book in this set is geared up to show young listeners the amazing things each mighty machine can do! This volume includes Big Rigs, Concrete Mixers, Earth Movers, and Helicopters