The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum holds the country"s premier collection of historic aircrafts, but visitors must view these impressive structures at a distance. IN THE COCKPIT captures the feeling of helming these historic craft with big, gorgeous four–color photographs that will give flight enthusiasts a true pilot"s eye view of many of history"s most important domestic and military airplanes, jets, and helicopters. Each entry includes archival images of the craft and authoritative text that places each one in the context of the development of aviation technology and world history .