This encyclopaedia aims to bridge the gap between scientific information and historical issues and between theoretical concepts and practical applications.It also addresses many social issues pertaining to the contemporary airline industry. Entries ranging from 500 to 3000 words each, focus on aerodynamic terms and principles, flying insect and animal species, pioneers in aviation and aeronautics, aircraft design and operation, spaceflight, specific aircraft and their manufacturers, air carriers, issues in air safety,and the use of aircraft in world conflicts. The scope of the encycopaedia aims to allow readers to gain an understanding of the more than 200-year-old history of human flight and the many natural factors and aerodynamic principles that led to its development. Biographical entries such as Sally Ride, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the Wright Brothers,and Chuck Yeager, reflect the variety of aviation pioneers and personalities. Articles such as "Avionics", "Ailerons and flaps", "Guidance systems", "Instrumentation", and "Turbojets" cover themechanical and technical aspects of aircraft flight. Each article begins with ready-reference top matter outlining the definition and significance of the topic, and gives dates and alternate names where applicable.