Publisher's Synopsis
Each book in the "Technology in Action" series explains how science and human ingenuity have been applied to create the technologies demanded in a constantly changing world. The text examines the reasons why changes and developments are necessary, and shows how problems are solved to bring about these changes.;Within this century, aircraft technology has evolved very rapidly, helped largely in its development by two World Wars, and the massive demand for international air travel. After an introductory spread describing the whole evolution of aircraft, the author then describes the theory of flight which is common to all types of winged aircraft. This is followed by sections dealing with different types of aircraft, including airliners, military aircraft, helicopters and VTOL/STOL aircraft - the unusual types of aircraft which are designed to land and take-off either vertically or on short runways. A number of themes follow which are of technological interest. These include the methods used in building an aircraft, wings and power systems, and flight control. The part played by computers in the changing technology is described in chapters dealing with military aircraft, the digital cockpit ("fly-by-wire") and flight simulation.;Towards the end of the book the author describes balloons and airships, and some of the flying freaks - microlights, solar-powered aircraft and the round-the-world "Voyager". Finally, the author speculates on possibilities for high-speed air transport in the future.
