The latest edition of this renowned text provides answers to thousands of questions about the world of the jumbos: How does a big jet fly? How long is the take-off run at maximum weight? How much fuel is carried on a trans-atlantic flight? How do the radios work? What is it like talking to Bombay 1000 miles away? What aircraft ...

Your seat back is in its fully upright position and your hand luggage is stowed neatly under the seat. But as the engines roar and propel the aircraft down the runway, you can't help wondering: how is a 200,000-pound metal tube possibly going to get airborne? Are those rumbles you hear and the bumps you feel normal? For those ...