From the Preface:

This book is the result of a many thousands of hours researching, to locate information on all the Gas Turbine Engines and gas turbine powered aircraft produced in the world. Since the days when Paul H. Wilkinson produced the book "Aircraft Engines of the World", there hasn't been a book which provides a comprehensive listing of gas turbine engines and their specifications. The authors, sorely missing the Wilkinson books and recognizing the need, were motivated to produce this text.

Along the way, it became apparent that more and more of the terminology used in the gas turbine engine field also needed to be identified and defined. There are thousands of "terms" which are very specific to the Gas Turbine Engine. Many of the words have similar meanings, and are often used interchangeably. In most cases, however, there are discrete and very important differences. The dictionary found in this book should make the terminology of the turbine engine field easier to relate to and easier to understand. It will define many words that are rarely seen outside of manufacturer's technical manuals or trade journals, and offer some insight as to how these words apply to the aviation professional and other interested readers.

The information found in the turbine engine "Data Sheet Section", in the "Aircraft Section", and in the "Dictionary", is always in a state of change. Seldom does a week pass without a new word appearing in a magazine article, a new engine application being developed, or a new aircraft appearing on the drawing boards. These changes are the things that make aviation exciting but, perhaps, a little confusing. It is the hope of the authors that this book will add much to the excitement of aviation, and hopefully, through new and updated editions, relieve some of the confusion.