Books by Charles Woodley

Analyses British European Airways' predecessors, its formation and early operation from Croydon and Northolt and the move to the newly opened London Heathrow. The evolving structure is explained in this book with chapters covering engineering bases, terminals, European and domestic services, cargo services and helicopter operations.

British Midland Airways existed for over 70 years, during which it grew from a flying training school into a transatlantic airline. It was acquired by Lufthansa in 2009, but even they could not find a way to stem losses, and it was absorbed into British Airways. With over 140 images, this book charts the rise and fall of British Midland Airways.

In 1976 a Jersey-based air taxi operator purchased two elderly Dakota aircraft for cargo charters as Air Atlantique. Thus began the saga of an airline that would eventually operate one of the largest fleets of Dakotas in the world, acquire four-engined vintage propliners, diversify into passenger charters and pleasure flying and oil-spill response work, and take over the lease on its Coventry Airport base. From here a fleet of historic aircraft sallied forth to participate in air shows around the UK. The impending retirement of the airline's founder Mike Collett brought about changes, but the freight charters and pleasure flying continued until new regulations brought passenger flying in the Dakotas to an end. Undaunted, Air Atlantique went on to open an aviation museum and visitor centre at Coventry. This is the story of a unique and much-loved British airline.

Chronicling a glamorous era in air travel, when journeys took days and were things to be savoured

This in-depth history of Scotland's Airlines pays tribute to the many companies and individuals involved in the development of air travel throughout Scotland.

The Gatwick story really began when two young men purchased a plot of land near Gatwick Racecourse to develop as a flying field. From these humble beginnings in the 1930s, it has become Britain's second airport, with 34 million passengers a year passing through the terminals - and this despite it having only a single runway!

The British Overseas Airways Corporation came into being in 1939 as successor to the pre-war British Airways and Imperial Airways.