Beyond Blue Skies by Chris Petty


ISBN
9781496218766
Published
Binding
Hardcover
Pages
408
Dimensions
152 x 229mm

In 1945 some experts still considered the so-called sound barrier an impenetrable wall, while winged rocket planes remained largely relegated to science fiction. But soon a series of unique rocket-powered research aircraft and the dedicated individuals who built, maintained, and flew them began to push the boundaries of flight in aviation's quest to move ever higher, ever faster, toward the unknown. Beyond Blue Skies examines the thirty-year period after World War II during which aviation experienced an unprecedented era of progress that led the United States to the boundaries of outer space.

Between 1946 and 1975, an ancient dry lakebed in California's High Desert played host to a series of rocket-powered research aircraft built to investigate the outer reaches of flight. The western Mojave's Rogers Dry Lake became home to Edwards Air Force Base, NASA's Flight Research Center, and an elite cadre of test pilots. Although one of them-Chuck Yeager-would rank among the most famous names in history, most who flew there during those years played their parts away from public view. The risks they routinely accepted were every bit as real as those facing NASA's astronauts, but no magazine stories or free Corvettes awaited them-just long days in a close-knit community in the High Desert.

The role of not only the test pilots but the engineers, aerodynamicists, and support staff in making supersonic flight possible has been widely overlooked. Beyond Blue Skies charts the triumphs and tragedies of the rocket-plane era and the unsung efforts of the men and women who made amazing achievements possible.
EOFY 2025 Book Frenzy
67.14
RRP: $78.99
15% off RRP


This product is unable to be ordered online. Please check in-store availability.
Instore Price: $78.99
Enter your Postcode or Suburb to view availability and delivery times.

You might also like

Mutiny On The Bounty
Peter FitzSimons
36.99
31.44
15% Off
The Wager
24.99
21.24
15% Off
The World
29.99
25.49
15% Off
The Little Book Of History
19.99
16.99
15% Off
The AngloSaxons
22.99
19.54
15% Off
The Shipwreck
36.99
31.44
15% Off

RRP refers to the Recommended Retail Price as set out by the original publisher at time of release.
The RRP set by overseas publishers may vary to those set by local publishers due to exchange rates and shipping costs.
Due to our competitive pricing, we may have not sold all products at their original RRP.