From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5-A brief description of the design, testing, and record-setting flight of the Voyager in December, 1986. Early milestones in aviation history are outlined, and Taylor then moves into the start of this project. Burt Rutan's use of composite building materials and canards in his aircraft designs is explained. Naturally, about half of the book is devoted to a description of the historic flight itself. The writing is generally clear, and events move along quickly enough to hold readers' interest. However, there is less detail here than in John Kaufmann's Voyager (Enslow, 1989; o.p.), which is for a slightly older audience. Libraries owning that book may not need this one; those that don't will find it an acceptable addition. The use of full-color photographs do make it more visually appealing than the earlier title.
Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 4^-6. During December 1986, Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager spent nine days and nights in a space comparable to a horizontal telephone booth. They set a new record, completing the first nonstop, unrefueled flight around the world in a specially designed plane, Voyager, which weighed less than 1,000 pounds yet had to carry more than three times its weight in fuel. Cruising altitude was only 6,000 feet; the flight course was as near to the equator as possible. The light weight and the unusual design of the plane made frequent storms a constant danger and satellite weather information invaluable. The tale of the actual flight is written with suspense and an appropriate amount of detail. Numerous color photos inject reality into this incredible story, which is enhanced by a short listing of facts, figures, and dates. Susan DeRonne
