Baughman's Aviation Dictionary and Reference Guide: Aero-Thesaurus (1st Edition, 4th Printing), 1940, 1940

Document Type: Book (Technical Reference).

Purpose: Informational.

Authority: Author Expertise.

Scope (from the Foreword): "The rapid advance of aviation has created a new field of nomenclature for the expression of the specialized groups responsible for its development.

An earnest attempt has been made in the preparation of this work to assemble and clearly define this nomenclature so that it may be more readily disseminated

The author's careful selection of material for this book has resulted in an Aeronautical Dictionary and Reference Guide that definitely fills a long felt need in the field of aviation.

The subject matter and mode of treatment are the outgrowth of information compiled over a period of years by persons directly associated with the design, manufacture and operation of aircraft.

History has been made these last few months, not alone in the chancellories of Europe's capitals but on the drafting boards of aviation's engineers. These words with their brains are the tools of this new history, and to a world grown startlingly conscious of the airplane, it is hoped they will be of use and of interest."

From Preface: "Knowledge is of two kinds: (1) We know a subject ourselves, or (2) We know where we can find information upon it."—Samuel Johnson, 17th Century English writer.

The best substitute for an actual lack of knowledge of a subject is the knowing of its sources of information. In our present day complicated world it is impossible for a person to be thoroughly versed in all subjects, therefore one must make use of information sources. It is the intent of this book to provide a ready storehouse of aviation knowledge for use by those associated with or interested in the industry.

Aviation speaks a language of its own. Students, specialists and aviation enthusiasts are constantly being confronted with new words and terms which are often confusing due to the lack of properly coordinated information.

It is felt that this Aero-Thesaurus will be helpful in bringing about a better understanding of aeronautical terms and consequently a more complete standardization of these terms.

In the compilation of this work the author expresses his sincere appreciation and thanks to many organizations and individuals who contributed technical material and also very unselfishly of their time.

The educational department and the engineering department of the Lockheed Aircraft Corp. have never failed to graciously hand book have been used verbatim as it was felt that such material was typical of aircraft manufacturing practices in general."

Contents (from Table of Contents):

- Alphabetical Section - Specifications, Sources of - AN-AC [Army, Navy, Air Corps] Parts - General Aeronautic Abbreviations - Flight Manuevers - C.A.A. [Civil Aeronautics Authority] Regulations - Explanation of Meteorological Data and Symbols Entered on Weather Maps - Visibility Scale - Wind Velocity Scale - Directory - Aeronautical Publications - Aeronautical Occupations - Drafting - Lofting Procedure - Shop Mechanics - Design Standards - Materials - Symbols and Formulae - Useful Tables - Federal Communications Commission-Licenses - Factory and Shop Safety Rules