Roaring down the runway or soaring high in the sky, gravity-defying aircraft capture the imagination. Their powerful engines and cutting-edge aerodynamics make every flight a thrilling triumph of technology, as they climb to the clouds leaving life and landscapes far below. This book celebrates these mighty machines with spectacular photos and fascinating details about how they work.

Fast and stealthy military jets rub shoulders with titans of transport, commercial airliners with stunt planes in this dizzying dive into the wonders of wings. There's also behind-the-scenes access to the cockpit and air traffic control, plus a primer in the fundamentals of flight, how a jet engine works, and the explosive secrets of ejection seats. Showcased on panoramic pages to bring readers up close and personal with awesome aircraft, this is truly the widest angle on the magic of flight.