Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle : The Man Who Invented the Turbo-jet

ordinary people everywhere. This accomplishment was all the more remarkable given Whittlehumble background as the son of a highly skilled but largely uneducated mechanic and machinist.A young man from a working-class family, Frank Whittle wanted to become a pilot, but he was denied admission into the RAF due to his physical limitations. Nevertheless, he persisted until finally he was accepted on an air mechanic(or fitter s) apprenticeship at RAF Cranwell. It was a course which was primarily used to train officer cadets. Cranwell included a flying training school and it was Whittlesecret hope that he may be one step closer to achieving his aim of learning to fly.The air mechanicapprenticeship was a three-year course aimed at providing a thorough practical understanding of all aircraft structural components as well as a detailed knowledge of the different types of aircraft engines then in use. He was a diligent apprentice, and happily threw himself into every aspect of the rigorous training provided, while at

the same time keeping an eye on the officer cadets on the flying courses.Inspired by his training, Frank Whittle developed an idea. He believed it was possible for aircraft to fly faster and higher and he turned his vision into reality.This incredible accomplishment was not without considerable personal cost though, as Whittle had to face the realities of war, as well as personal and commercial issues that nearly turned his dream into a nightmare. In addition, this biography, written by someone who met Frank Whittle, includes details of his rather colorful personal life, which have not been previously documented. [Publisher's Text]