I suppose it is a sign of our European times that a new edition of the standard directory of British aviation should be launched at the Paris Air Show; British it is, but part (and a very successful and profitable one) of one of the world’s most international industries. My only real complaint about this edition is on behalf of the cataloguer: if we take information from the title page alone, as we ought, then the title of this work becomes simply “Part 1: United Kingdom and Ireland Directory 1999/00…”; but common sense must prevail so we use in our heading the title given on the cover, taking other data from the title page. It should be explained that the “Part 1” refers to this as being part of a two‐volume set of directories of which Part 2 covers mainland Europe. That recondite (and irrelevant to about 99.99 per cent of actual or potential purchasers) point aside, all the rest of our comments must be positive.
There is a slight price rise for this edition, but for the sheer amount, accuracy and detail of the information provided it remains a bargain within any part of the aviation industry and for any library serving it. The main content headings reveal the comprehensive scope: Civil aviation, Military aviation, Airports, Air transport, Recreational flying, Aviation organisations, Trade and industry, Aeronautical training, Aeronautical press, Republic of Ireland, Who’s who of British aviation, and Who’s where in British aviation. This last section is a personal name index (about 12,000) to the entire directory; it is supplemented by a thorough general index. The result is that the whole spectrum, in considerable detail, of British aviation is both presented in a systematic fashion and indexed to make all its information accessible.
The level of detail is excellent throughout: it is always at the very least sufficient and frequently comprehensive. For airports the entries include details of runways, facilities available (including refreshment outlets, hotels, taxi services all with telephone numbers), personnel and other data, and similarly for military airfields. The trade and industry section is not only a comprehensive coverage of main and ancillary suppliers, but in addition to usual directory data gives such information as parent company (where applicable), managing director and sometimes other executives, often also employee numbers and turnover, and details of the firm’s field of business. There is also a classified products index. Specialist aviation journalists are listed, only a few of them with information additional to their name, address and telephone number. The who’s who section (with a generously wide‐ranging 900 entries) contains more detail on each person entered, including quite a few of the journalists (their index entry refers only to this more detailed section).
It is all here: everything the enquirer needs on the entire UK aviation industry in great, accurate, up‐to‐date detail, all housed in a compact fact‐filled single volume. For marketing purposes a diskette mailing list is also available (£235.00 including VAT). Formerly the Flight International Directory, this is now sponsored by the Royal Aeronautical Society. The price may have risen, but it is still a bargain: it is an essential reference in any office or library within or dealing with the UK aviation industry and belongs too in any specialist or major general reference collection.
