Texas takes wing : a century of flight in the Lone Star State / by Barbara Ganson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ganson, Barbara Anne, 1953-

Series:

Bridwell Texas History

Bridwell Texas history series

Bridwell Texas History Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Aeronautics--Texas--History.

Aeronautics.

Air pilots--Texas--Biography.

Air pilots.

Air power--Texas--History.

Air power.

Aerospace industries--Texas--History.

Aerospace industries.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (312 p.)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Austin : University of Texas Press, [2014]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Tracing the hundred-year history of aviation in Texas, aviator and historian Barbara Ganson brings to life the colorful personalities that shaped the phenomenally successful development of this industry in the state. Weaving stories and profiles of aviators, designers, manufacturers, and those in related services, Texas Takes Wing covers the major trends that propelled Texas to the forefront of the field. Covering institutions from San Antonio’s Randolph Air Force Base (the West Point of this branch of service) to Brownsville’s airport with its Pan American Airlines instrument flight school (which served as an international gateway to Latin America as early as the 1920s) to Houston’s Johnson Space Center, home of Mission Control for the U.S. space program, the book provides an exhilarating timeline and engaging history of dozens of unsung pioneers as well as their more widely celebrated peers. Drawn from personal interviews as well as major archives and the collections of several commercial airlines, including American, Southwest, Braniff, Pan American Airways, and Continental, this sweeping history captures the story of powered flight in Texas since 1910. With its generally favorable flying weather, flat terrain, and wide open spaces, Texas has more airports than any other state and is often considered one of America’s most aviation-friendly places. Texas Takes Wing also explores the men and women who made the region pivotal in military training, aircraft manufacturing during wartime, general aviation, and air servicing of the agricultural industry. The result is a soaring history that will delight aviators and passengers alike.

Contents:

Flying Takes Off in Texas

The Stinson Flying Family of San Antonio and Texas Aviators in the Great War

Between the World Wars : Barnstormers

Owners and Operators of Flying Services

Record Setters and Air Racers

Creating a More Connected World

Flight Training

Texas Air Power during the Second World War

Aircraft Designers and Manufacturers

Red, White, and Blue All Over : Texas Air Power in the Cold War and the Space Age

Epilogue: Aeronautical Achievements, Education, and the Future of Air and Space Travel

Appendices.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780292754096

0292754094

OCLC:

868327573