Most Americans are aware that the Wright brothers had been the first to fly a powered Flying Machine in 1903. But John J. Montgomery was the first to fly a glider of his own design in 1883, a full twenty years before the Wright brothers. Achieving Flight, by John G. Burdick and Bernard J. Burdick, provides an historic and scientific assessment of the role of John J. Montgomery (1858-1911), one of Californias own, in the early years of flight in America. It tells the story of Montgomery, an eminent scientist whose achievements in aeronautics and electricity have largely been forgotten. This biography narrates how, during his days as a student at St. Ignatius College, he was fortunate to be instructed by some of the most renowned Jesuit scientists ousted from Europe, earning a masters of science degree in 1880. The Burdicks also provide a critical analysis of Montgomerys prescient understanding of aeronautics relative to other practitioners and researchers prior to, during, and after his time. Noting Montgomerys importance in aeronautical history, Achieving Flight reviews his significant accomplishments in having his pilots fly successfully in high air (up to 4,000 feet, being lofted there by a hot-air balloon), but also evaluates the scientific correctness of his ideas, which were decades ahead of the times.

An aviation expert uncovers the brilliance behind the first successful flight of an engine-powered plane In the centennial year of the Wright Brothers' first successful flight, acclaimed aviation writer T. A. Heppenheimer reexamines what Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved. In First Flight, he debunks the popular assumption that the Wrights were simple mechanics who succeeded by trial and error, demonstrating instead that they were true engineering geniuses. Heppenheimer presents the background that made possible the work of the Wrights and examines the work of Samuel P. Langley, a serious rival. He places their work within a broad historical context, emphasizing their contributions after 1903 and their convergence with ongoing aeronautical work in France. T. A. Heppenheimer (Fountain Valley, CA) has written extensively on aerospace, business, and the history of technology. His many books include Turbulent Skies: The History of Commercial Aviation (0-471-10961-4), Countdown: A History of Space Flight (0-471-14439-8), and A Brief History of Flight: From Balloons to Mach 3 and Beyond (0-471-34637-3), all from Wiley.

GRADES 6–12: This 96-page social studies workbook allows students to better understand history and the Industrial Revolution. FEATURES: Background information on the key innovations, inventors, and leaders, as well as a reading selection, an enhancement activity featuring a graphic organizer, a recalling key details page, discussion questions, and more. BENEFITS: This history resource book features creative writing and artistic projects to help students better understand this important time in European and American history. WHY MARK TWAIN MEDIA: Mark Twain Media Publishing Company specializes in providing captivating, supplemental books and decorative resources to complement middle- and upper-grade classrooms. Designed by leading educators, the product line covers a range of subjects including mathematics, sciences, language arts, social studies, history, government, fine arts, and character.

The take-charge kids from John Fardell’s The 7 Professors of the Far North face a summer packed with danger, excitement and suspense—flying airplanes, scuba diving, cracking codes and even taking a spin in the world’s first antigravity backpack as they plunge into this fast-paced, high- flying adventure. Ben, Zara, Sam and Marcia begin their summer vacation by helping Professor Ampersand build the Silver Turtle, a high-tech airplane. This is thrilling enough, but things take an even wilder turn when a strange woman steals the airplane with the kids inside. She’s trying to evade members of Noctarma, an international criminal organization that thinks the airplane is carrying a secret antigravity device that could be the key to world domination. They’ve got the wrong Silver Turtle, but they’ve also captured Professor Ampersand—and the kids will have to pull out all the stops to find the real Silver Turtle device before Noctarma does.

This is a personal account of the author's experiences as flight crew on the "Queen of the Skies" and is a tribute to the aircraft that changed the world. This book offers insights into the Boeing 747, the air routes, the international destinations and significant events, including a flight deck perspective of the final QANTAS 747 flight that crafted a "kangaroo in the sky". Some recollections are technical, some are observations and some are personal. Come aboard and share the journey.