Document Type: Book (Technical Reference).

Purpose: Informational.

Authority: Author Expertise.

Scope (from Introduction): "Today, when around the world the history of freedom and its preservation is being written by wings, it is important for the informed layman, as well as the growing thousands directly concerned with aviation, to become familiar with the new language of the air. For the duration of the war, such terms as bomb bay, range, automatic computing sight, ball turret and the like are in breakfast-table headlines and news broadcasts before the hour of personal taps. For the peace to come we must learn the meanings of pay load, flight strip, pick-up, tow pattern, feeder lines, ton-mile ratio, rotor vane, and scores of other terms which grow out of the extended new use of the universal ocean of air.

THE ILLUSTRATED AVIATION ENCYCLOPEDIA is an important contribution to the understanding of this necessary language. The fact that it has been possible to produce and distribute so comprehensive a book at such a low price will multiply its usefulness and value to the public which every day is becoming not only more air-minded but more truly 'air-conditioned.'

Contents (from How To Use This Book):

"THE ILLUSTRATED AVIATION ENCYCLOPEDIA is planned to provide the simplest possible definitions of the most-used words and terms in the field of aeronautics. Since aeronautics, and in particular aviation, comprises a variety of sciences and arts, it has been impossible to include every term used in those branches. Instead, endeavor has been made to select those terms and words most frequently met with in the various branches of aircraft construction and operation and operating principles such as meteorology, navigation, stress analysis and design, flight maneuvers, Army Air Force ratings, armament, military operations, aircraft types and assembly, airline operation, physics, aerodynamics, thermodynamics and engine construction, radio communications, airports and beacons, etc.

The terms are arranged alphabetically and all words listed in the encyclopedia are printed in capital letters. Thus, any words capitalized in the definitions are defined elsewhere in their proper alphabetical sequence. The terms, many of which have several variations, are listed in the correct form as they are most commonly used. Other forms of the same term are listed, and the correct term referred to for the definition. For example, if you look for the word "Sump" you will find that no definition is given, but that you are referred to "Dry Sump" or "Wet Sump"; "Backswept" is not defined but you are referred to "Sweepback," and so on.

On the other hand, in many cases where there are two names for an object or operation, the full definition may be given in one while the other contains a simple abbreviated definition and you are referred to the alternative term for further details. In this way, at the expense of a certain amount of repetition, you may often be saved the necessity of looking up both forms of the same term. Finally, a number of key subjects, such as AIR, AIRPLANE DESIGNATIONS, CIVIL AERONAUTICS ACT, ENGINE, PARACHUTE, PROPELLER, etc. have been given extended treatment because of their general interest or their importance to the subject of aeronautics as a whole."