Celebrate National Aviation Day with these Essential Reads!

August 13, 2025

August 19th is National Aviation Day, a great time to celebrate the history and the future of flight! Whether you’re a seasoned pilot, an aviation enthusiast, or simply curious about the wonders of aircraft, the U.S. Government Bookstore has a wealth of publications to suit your passion. Take to the skies with these fascinating and informative titles:

Soar Through History:

  • First Flight: The Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Airplane: Relive the groundbreaking journey of Wilbur and Orville Wright, the pioneers who dared to dream of flight. This captivating book delves into their tireless efforts, ingenious designs, and the historic moment that changed the world forever. It is a must-read for understanding the very foundations of aviation!

Essential Knowledge for Every Aviator:

  • FAA Safety Briefing: Stay informed and enhance your aviation safety knowledge with this crucial Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) periodical. Packed with articles, insights, and best practices, it covers various topics vital for pilots, mechanics, and aviation professionals. Keep your skills sharp and your flights safe with the latest information.
  • Plane Sense, General Aviation Information: This comprehensive guide provides foundational knowledge for general aviation pilots. Plane Sense is an invaluable resource for student pilots and those looking to refresh their understanding of basic aviation principles, covering topics from aerodynamics and aircraft systems to flight operations and regulations.

Delving Deeper into Flight:

  • Advanced Avionics Handbook: While technology advances rapidly, the fundamental principles of avionics remain crucial. This handbook explores advanced aircraft electronic systems, providing insights into navigation, communication, and flight control technologies. It is a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities within the cockpit.
  • Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge: A cornerstone of pilot training, this handbook provides a wealth of information essential for obtaining a pilot certificate. From the principles of flight and aerodynamics to weather theory and regulations, this comprehensive guide lays the groundwork for safe and knowledgeable piloting.

These publications from the U.S. Government Bookstore offer a journey through aviation history and provide the fundamental understanding of safe and successful flying. Visit the bookstore today and let your passion for aviation take flight!

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger Trudy Hawkins is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office, supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

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Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Honoring the Pioneers: Aviation History Month

November 19, 2024

November is Aviation History Month, a time to celebrate the incredible advancements in aviation and the pioneers who made it possible. From the Wright brothers’ historic flight to the supersonic jets of today, aviation has revolutionized how we travel, communicate, and explore the world.

The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, are often credited with inventing, building, and flying the world’s first successful motor-operated airplane. Their groundbreaking achievement in 1903 marked the beginning of a new era, paving the way for the development of modern aviation.

First Flight: The Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Airplane, from the National Park Service, offers a comprehensive history of the Wright Brothers. It vividly depicts the brothers’ distinct personalities, while a series of graphic features trace their progress towards developing a practical flying machine. The book also features a foreword by astronaut John Glenn and a colorful foldout illustrating the 1903 Wright Flyer.

Today, aviation continues to push the boundaries of technology and innovation. Aviation has become integral to our lives, from commercial airliners to military aircraft and drones to spacecraft. As we reflect on the past, let’s also look forward to the future of flight and its exciting possibilities.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Click here to purchase First Flight: The Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Airplane

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Trudy Hawkins is Government Book Talk Editor and Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office, supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

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Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Aviation History Month

November 23, 2021

American innovation came to flight in December 1903 when Orville and Wilbur Wright flew a powered aircraft successfully four times, with the longest flight that day being 852 feet!

In celebration of Aviation History Month and all of the Americans who have contributed to humankind’s ability to fly, the GPO bookstore has assembled a collection of publications focusing on aviation.

Visit the U.S. Government Bookstore and browse a variety of aviation-oriented publications ranging from commercial aviation to titles published by the Department of Defense. Notable titles include FAA Safety Briefing (great for civilian pilots), and the Air Force Reserve publication, Citizen Airman.

Fly high, fly safely, those who take to the air, whether for pleasure, commercial ventures or in service to the nation.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

2 Comments | Aviation, Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Adminstration (FAA), Innovation, NASA, Science & Technology | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

November is National Aviation History Month

November 3, 2017

National Aviation History Month is dedicated to exploring, recognizing and celebrating America’s great contributions and achievements in the development of aviation. Aviation history refers to the history of development of mechanical flight — from the earliest attempts in kites and gliders to powered heavier-than-air, supersonic and space flights.

America by Air. Prepared in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Discusses the history of commercial aviation in the United States, from 1914 to the jet age. Contains copyrighted material.  Air America.

First Flight: The Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Airplane. The Wright brothers’ distinct personalities are vividly depicted, while a series of graphic features trace their progress towards development of a practical flying machine. Featured are a foreword by astronaut John Glenn and a colorful foldout illustrating the 1903 Wright Flyer.

Aviation. Aviation units, although they belong to one of the newer branches of the Army, have compiled an impressive record of achievement. From the organization of the earliest separate units in the Korean War era through an outstanding record in Vietnam and the recent achievement of independent branch status, Army aviation has become an integral part of today’s combined arms doctrine.                         

NASA’s First 50 Years: Historical Perspectives; NASA 50 Anniversary Proceedings. In this perspective, a wide array of scholars turn a critical eye toward NASA’s first 50 years, probing an institution widely seen as the premier agency for exploration in the world, carrying on a long tradition of exploration by the United States and the human species in general. Fifty years after its founding, NASA finds itself at a crossroads that historical perspectives can only help illuminate.

For easy access to interesting and informative publications about Aviation, both commercial and military, click here.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.

Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office.

Leave a Comment » | Aviation, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Adminstration (FAA) | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins