Berliner, Don

Describes a variety of airplanes invented through the years with unusual shapes and wing arrangements and run with human or solar power.

Traces the history of air-speed records from Santos Dumont's first official record in 1906 to the records broken by modern-day, supersonic aircraft.

Discusses the history, types, and construction of flying-model airplanes. Also describes sport and contest flying of radio-controlled and control-line models.

Describes how airplanes, designed for research and testing, are used to explore new areas of flight.

Describes the ideas and experiments that lead to the first powered flight by the 1903 "Wright Flyer.".

Discusses such considerations for future manned spacecraft as design features, preparing and eating food, personal hygiene, interpersonal relationships, exercise, and safety.

Describes great distance flights from the first successful crossing of the English Channel by Louis Bleriot in 1909 to the circling of the earth without refueling by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager in 1986.

Examines the lives of nine aviation innovators and their early attempts to fly, including the Montgolfier Brothers and their hot-air balloon, the Wright Brothers and their airplane, and Igor Sikorsky and his helicopter.