Dreams of Flight

General Aviation in the United States

By: Janet R. Daly Bednarek, Michael H. Bednarek

Narrated by: Jim Seitz

General aviation encompasses all the ways aircraft are used beyond commercial and military flying: private flights, barnstormers, cropdusters, and so on. This history examines the many airplanes used in general aviation, from early Wright and Curtiss aircraft to the Piper Cub and the Lear Jet. The authors trace the careers of birdmen, birdwomen, barnstormers, and others who shaped general aviation - from Clyde Cessna and the Stinson family of San Antonio to Olive Ann Beech and Paul Poberezny of Milwaukee. They explain how the development of engines influenced the development of aircraft, from the E-107 that powered the 1929 Aeronca C-2, the first affordable personal aircraft, to the Continental A-40 that powered the Piper Cub, and the Pratt and Whitney PT-6 turboprop used on many aircraft after World War II.

In addition, the authors chart the boom and bust cycle of general aviation manufacturers, the rising costs and increased regulations that have accompanied a decline in pilots, the creation of an influential general aviation lobby in Washington, and the growing popularity of "type" clubs, created to maintain aircraft whose average age is 28 years.

This book provides listeners with a sense of the scope and richness of the history of general aviation in the United States. An epilogue examining the consequences of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, provides a cautionary note.

The book is published by Texas A&M University Press.

©2003 Janet R. Daly Bednarek and Michael H. Bednarek (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks

Overview but Unorganized

Good book but feels slightly unorganized. Nice overview of non-military and non-commercial aviation within the U. S

Very informative on earlier aviation history

Very informative on early aviation history and how it intertwines with the gender and racial issues of America. Perhaps overly focuses on how women were underrepresented in aviation, while failing mention i.e. Amelia Earhart.

The book goes slow and thorough until about the 1970s, then kinda speeds up, mentions how 9/11 screwed everyone over, but doesn't really talk about how there's so little innovation in the last 50 years.

Mentions the "flying gospel" many times yet fails to mention any of the existing and fully functional flying cars/roadable aircraft prototypes which are struggling to get approval for production and civilian use, which is a shame.

It's interesting from a historical PoV but doesn't shed too much light on the most recent 50 or so years in general aviation, and doesn't explain many of the issues we're facing today despite what one would think could've been real solutions.

encyclopedia level interesting

it is a lot like listening to an encyclopedia being read. interesting fact but hard to stay awake

Very Informative

Lots of great information but pay attention because they jump around a lot in time.