This book was created as an introductory text for those interested in beginning a career in aviation maintenance. It presents a broad overview of the information taught in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician school. While not a core textbook, Fundementals of Modern Aviation contains many of the same elements included in the textbooks used by AMT schools.

With the birth of aviation came the need for aviation maintenance. A mechanic, Charles E. Taylor, helped design and build the first aircraft engine used by the Wright brothers. The tradition of innovation, dedication and safety continues even today.

Maintenance professionals have inspected and maintained every aircraft and return it to airworthy condition. The can work both individually or as part of a team to ensure the aircraft is suitable for the air.

Historical Overview - Beginnings of flight, beginnings of air transportation, foundation of the FAA, market segments.

Basic Aerodynamics - Bernoulli's principle and subsonic flow, airfoils, axes of an aircraft.

Aircraft Design - Aircraft design considerations, wing construction, flight controls.

Turbine Development- Turbine engine operating principles, turbine engine construction, compressor section, combustion section, turbine section, exhaust section, major subassemblies, types of turbine engines.

Helicopter Flight - Fundementals of helicopter flight, helicopter axes of flight, helicopter structures.

High-speed Aerodynamics - General concepts of supersonic flow patterns, airflow, controls and heat.

Engine theory and Construction - Heat engines, reciprocating engine operating principles, reciprocating engine design and constuction, engine components, valves.