The History of British European Airways

The History of British European Airways
Author: Charles Woodley
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2006-01-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 1844151867

BEA was formed in 1946 and took over most UK domestic and European routes under the British government's nationalisation policy. It began operations with a fleet of outdated and hopelessly uneconomic passenger aircraft that were derivatives of wartime types such as the DC-3, Avro Viking and Rapide. By the end of 1955 the airline had re-equipped with more modern types such as the jet-prop Viscount and moved into a profit for the first time. From 1960 onwards the airline introduced larger jets such as the Comet, Trident and BAC 1-11. BEA merged with the British Overseas Airways Corporation in 1974 to form British Airways. This book looks at BEA's predecessors, its formation and early operation from Croydon and Northolt and the move to the newly-opened London Heathrow. The evolving structure is explained with chapters covering engineering bases, terminals, European and domestic services, cargo services and helicopter operations. The aircraft flown are all described in detail and the book includes anecdotes from former crew and ground-staff, a full fleet list and is highly illustrated throughout.

Glamour in the Skies

Glamour in the Skies
Author: Libbie Escolme-Schmidt
Publisher: History Press (SC)
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2010-07
Genre: Air travel
ISBN: 9780752457871

Ex-hostess Libbie Escolme-Schmidt has lovingly compiled many hundreds of memories to present the ultimate history of the British Airways air hostess. Collating a multitude of stories from the forties and fifties through to what is often agreed to be the end of the golden age in 1980, this is an important record of the contribution made by women to airline history. During this period flying evolved from a potentially dangerous adventure to a remarkably safe and comfortable means of international travel, and through it all the air hostesses were there. Their experiences range from administering oxygen to passengers flying over the Andes to serving French champagne on Concorde, and the anecdotes are full of humor as they cover training, first flights, sexual discrimination and harassment, disasters, passengers, glamorous stopovers, and other temptations. This illustrated book presents the changing times in air travel through the eyes of the stewardess and offers the perfect tribute to the girls who walked the skies."

British Airways

British Airways
Author: Paul Jarvis
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2018-05-15
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 1445679280

Stunning posters that chart the development and romance of air travel. In association with British Airways.

Mapping the Airways

Mapping the Airways
Author: Paul Jarvis
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited
Total Pages: 220
Release: 2016-04-15
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 1445654652

Explore the integral part that maps have to play in the fascinating history of air travel.

Thirty Seconds to Impact

Thirty Seconds to Impact
Author: Maria Burkill
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2010-03-18
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1481793063

When Peter took charge of the flight deck of the 777 and took off from Beijing airport, there was nothing to suggest that this trip would be anything other than a routine flight of the sort he had made so many times before. It was not until moments before landing that anything went wrong. Coming in to Heathrow Airport, the plane suffered inexplicable loss of power to both engines, and it was suddenly likely that the plane would plough into a built-up area outside the airport, with the loss of all lives on board. Peter tells us in graphic detail his thoughts and actions when he managed to help save the plane at the last moment thanks to a flash of inspiration that led him to change the position of the wing flaps, which appeared to gain the vehicle enough precious time to make it over the perimeter fence and land on the grass, short of the runway. For both Maria and Peter, their lives following the crash have resulted in experiences that they never would have expected to have happened. There isn't a handbook with rules to follow after a crash so the subsequent aftermath was laced with events that could have been handled better from all sides, which lead to Maria and Peter having to find strength inside them that they had never needed before. A little more than a year later, they have used these strengths to begin a new chapter in their lives; starting with leaving British Airways and celebrating a second chance to enjoy life. But there are still nights when they find themselves awake, crying about what could have happened on that fateful day.

Better by Design

Better by Design
Author: Paul Jarvis
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2015-04-15
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 1445642964

Lavishly illustrated full-colour story of the development of the internationally renowned British Airways brand, in association with British Airways and full of fascinating images from the British Airways archive

History of Air Cargo and Airmail from the 18th Century

History of Air Cargo and Airmail from the 18th Century
Author: Camille Allaz
Publisher: Google Consultant
Total Pages: 420
Release: 2005-03
Genre:
ISBN: 0954889606

It was first published in French by the Institut du Transport Aerien in 1998 and received very favourable reviews. Through the publication of the English language edition, this remarkable work is now accessible to many more readers around the world. In addition, the author has expanded the book with new sections and he has extensively updated it to bring the story of air cargo into the twenty first century, concluding with a look into the future. The author, Camille Allaz, served as Senior Vice President Cargo at Air France for 10 years which gave him an insider's close-up view of his subject, a privilege not enjoyed by many historians. There is no aspect of mail or cargo transport by air that has not been thoroughly researched and documented by Allaz, from the first brief transport of animals by balloon in France in 1783 to the vast global networks of the integrated express carriers in the 21st century. As a true scholar, he fits his narrative into the larger framework of political, military, economic and aviation history. This book should stand for years as the definitive work on the history of air cargo and airmail, and will be of immense value to the academic community, to the air cargo industry, the postal services, and to the general public.

Flight from the Croft

Flight from the Croft
Author: Bill Innes
Publisher: Whittles
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2019-01-10
Genre: Air pilots
ISBN: 9781849953979

As a barefoot lad in the Outer Hebrides, Bill Innes dreamed the impossible dream of becoming a pilot and this book tells how that dream came to pass. The author's career of over forty years spanned a period of incredible advances in the air - now regarded as a golden era in aviation. After gaining his RAF wings in Canada he really started to learn his trade by flying pre-war Dakotas for British European Airways around the Highlands and Islands of Scotland - one of the most testing aviation-operating areas in the world. The experience was to stand him in good stead as he moved to London to fly classic 20th century British aircraft such as the Viscount, Comet, Vanguard and Trident. The narrative comes alive through tales of the many characters encountered in a time before flight recorders. There are authentic versions of some of the most famous anecdotes in the folklore of the sky, but also reflections on training philosophy and techniques which have a relevance outwith aviation. Along the way he explored his limits, barnstorming vintage aircraft in Tiger Club displays - surviving one breach of those limits which should have proved fatal!Progressing to being a training captain, Bill was happy to pass on his experience to colleagues. As one of the team that introduced the Boeing 757 to British Airways, post-retirement, he was privileged to be the trainer on the first flights of charter airlines such as Air 2000 and Canada 3000 before his swansong, flying long range Boeing 767s for Alitalia.Technical background is lightened by the thread of humour which runs throughout and there are also some sage words of comfort for the nervous passenger.