Overview

A visual celebration of the wide and colourful variety of the world's light aircraft, old and new, organized from A to Z by manufacturer, this book illustrates more than 800 light aircraft types that are likely to be seen when visiting smaller airports and airfields across the globe. The text explains how each type relates to other models from the same manufacturer and describes the differences between sub-variants, giving the numbers built. For some types, an indication is also given as to how many are currently active. The aircraft fall into the following categories: mass production aircraft built in the thousands by major manufacturers such as Beechcraft, Cessna, De Havilland, and Piper; lesser-known but important production and homebuilt aircraft, typically built in reasonable numbers and likely to be seen at the local airfield; and finally, a selection of older aircraft that continue to be flown and cherished. AUTHOR: Ron Smith is a British aeronautical engineer, pilot, author, photographer, and historian. He was Head of Future Projects at Westland Helicopters Ltd. and has recently retired from BAE Systems. He has owned a number of light aircraft. 849 colour and b/w images

Full Product Details

9780764348969

Table of Contents

Reviews

What a magnificent book! I noticed that the bibliography includes William Green's Aircraft of The World, a copy of which has been the key foundation of my aircraft reference library since 1965. I am proud to place my copy of Classic Light Aircraft on the shelf right next to it. (It is) an authoritative, faithfully-accurate work that is at the same time visually attractive! Jeff Jacobs, Cessna 172 Club Ron Smith has been beavering away at this book for several years and civil aircraft enthusiasts will find it a hugely valuable quick reference guide to the myriad of light aircraft flying all over the world. It is arranged alphabetically by manufacturer and every entry consists of a photo, most being in colour and photographed by the author, and a short extended caption. Aircraft types covered include all the main production models together with a good selection of the more common homebuilts, light sport types and a selection of antiques. The largest types covered are the King Air and Dove - no business jets here. The necessary brevity of the text means some facts are left out - for instance, the only Cirrus mentioned is the SR22 - and the index only refers to the manufacturers and does not allow reference by aircraft name. Having said that, this is a book which will prove very useful all who attend civil fly-ins and events. - Rod Simpson, Aviation World, Autumn 2015.

What a magnificent book! I noticed that the bibliography includes William Green's Aircraft of The World, a copy of which has been the key foundation of my aircraft reference library since 1965. I am proud to place my copy of Classic Light Aircraft on the shelf right next to it. (It is) an authoritative, faithfully-accurate work that is at the same time visually attractive! Jeff Jacobs, Cessna 172 Club Ron Smith has been beavering away at this book for several years and civil aircraft enthusiasts will find it a hugely valuable quick reference guide to the myriad of light aircraft flying all over the world. It is arranged alphabetically by manufacturer and every entry consists of a photo, most being in colour and photographed by the author, and a short extended caption. Aircraft types covered include all the main production models together with a good selection of the more common homebuilts, light sport types and a selection of antiques. The largest types covered are the King Air and Dove - no business jets here. The necessary brevity of the text means some facts are left out - for instance, the only Cirrus mentioned is the SR22 - and the index only refers to the manufacturers and does not allow reference by aircraft name. Having said that, this is a book which will prove very useful all who attend civil fly-ins and events. - Rod Simpson, Aviation World, Autumn 2015. 'Xtended', Europe's premier aerospace internet radio programme, interviewed Ron Smith about general aviation, along with the publication of his new book Classic Light Aircraft Xtended say: We really enjoyed the book and hope we have helped promote a positive image of it!

What a magnificent book! I noticed that the bibliography includes William Green's Aircraft of The World, a copy of which has been the key foundation of my aircraft reference library since 1965. I am proud to place my copy of Classic Light Aircraft on the shelf right next to it. (It is) an authoritative, faithfully-accurate work that is at the same time visually attractive! Jeff Jacobs, Cessna 172 Club

Author Information

Ron Smith is a British aeronautical engineer, pilot, author, photographer, and historian. He was Head of Future Projects at Westland Helicopters Ltd. and has recently retired from BAE Systems. He has owned a number of light aircraft.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available