"How does a plane move through the air? What is turbulence? How do pilots communicate with ground control? How did 'flying wings' evolve into the B-2 bomber? This illustrated book about aviation will answer all these questions and more, and give a great overview of aerodynamics, the mechanics of wing shape and lift, runway design, GPS, how ailerons, propellers, and flaps work, record-breaking flights across continents and oceans, and where the world's most treacherous runways are located. A fascinating encyclopedic guide to the history and mechanics of flight, from the birth of flight to today!"--Provided by publisher.