The History of North American Small Gas Turbine Aircraft Engines (Library of Flight Series) [Hardcover]

R. Leyes II (Author), W. Fleming (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563473321 | ISBN-13: 978-1563473326 | Publication Date: January 1, 1999

This joint publication between the National Air and Space Museum and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics chronicles the evolution of the small gas turbine engine via a comprehensive study of a major aerospace industry. Drawing on in-depth interviews with pioneers, current project engineers and company managers, engineering papers published by the manufacturers, and the tremendous document and artifact collections at the National Air and Space Museum, the book captures and memorializes small engine development from its earliest stage. Leyes and Fleming leap back nearly 50 years for a first look at small gas turbine engine development and the seven major corporations that dared to produce, market and distribute the products that contributed to major improvements and uses of a wide spectrum of aircraft. In nontechnical language, the book illustrates the broad-ranging influence of small turbines - from commercial and executive aircraft to helicopters and missiles deployed in military engagements. Detailed corporate histories and photographs paint a clear historical picture of turbine development up to the present.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard A. Leyes II is the Curator for Aero Propulsion at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. He has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin and a M.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. For NASM, Mr. Leyes has done aircraft engine research and writing, collecting and exhibitions. He also holds a private pilots license and a Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Powerplant license. William A. Fleming is a graduate of Purdue University with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. He was a pioneer and leader in jet engine research during the 1940s and 1950s at the National Advisory Committee (NACA) for Aeronautics Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. He later directed development of the plan for the National Aeronautics and Space Administrations (NASA) Apollo manned lunar landing program and served in senior management positions at NASA Headquarters. Mr. Flemings publications include Future Aeronautics and Space OpportunitiesVolume 1 Space and approximately 30 NACA research reports. Following retirement from NASA, he spent 12 years as a management consultant. Contributor An important contributor to the book is A. Stuart Atkinson, who holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and an MBA from George Washington University. For more than 37 years, Mr. Atkinson held engineering positions in the Department of the Navy associated with aeronautical research and development, including senior managerial positions with the Naval Air Systems Command. Most of his career was in the field of aero propulsion, during which time he developed the technical and program requirements for Navy engines and directed the development of many of the small turbine engines sponsored by the Navy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 998 pages
• Publisher: AIAA (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563473321
• ISBN-13: 978-1563473326
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,383,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Money well spent!!!, May 13, 2003

By 

chris stevenson (charlotte, nc United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The History of North American Small Gas Turbine Aircraft Engines (Library of Flight Series) (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderfully rich source of information on the developement of quite a few turbine engines. The information is well researched and concise, given in a format that is broken down by the manufacturer. There is alot of information on some small turbine engines developed for cruise missle applications that I have not seen elsewhere. There are a decent amount of photos that give a good sense of most of the engines. I wonder though with all the research that was done for this book if many more interresting photos were left out?
The introduction is good and the information they present with the problems involved in design and production of small scale turbine engines is very interresting.
All in all this is money well spent for anyone who enjoys the history of gas turbine engines.

5.0 out of 5 stars history of North american small gas turbine engines, September 12, 2009

By 

milford metallurgist (michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The History of North American Small Gas Turbine Aircraft Engines (Library of Flight Series) (Hardcover)

Thorough, details after detail. Probably only interesting to somebody who worked or had close ties to the companies involved.