The William A. Schoneberger Research Library at the Flight Path Museum LAX houses one of Southern California’s premiere collections of aviation and aerospace books, technical manuals and related publications. Areas of special focus include airlines, aircraft manufacturers, aviation pioneers and Los Angeles International Airport. The Library’s resources are available for researchers to use on site at no charge.
The Collections
Materials in the William A. Schoneberger Research Library are grouped in a number of general categories. These include:
- Commercial Aircraft Manuals
- Aviation Technology
- Aircraft
- Aviation Encyclopedias
- Airline Industry/Airlines
- Airports
- Biographies
- History of Aviation
- Transportation
- Techinical Manuals
- Systems/Environment
- Space
- Fiction
Library Hours and Services
The William A. Schoneberger Research Library is open during regular Flight Path operating hours. Researchers are strongly advised to call in advance to confirm that desired materials and staff assistance are available.
Materials may not be taken from the Library. However, limited copying of certain materials is available on site under staff supervision.
Friends Of The Library
Numerous individuals and organizations have contributed to the William A. Schoneberger Research Library and continue to support it. These Friends of the Library have helped make possible an impressive collection of reference materials of real value and interest to aviation and aerospace researchers. Flight Path Museum LAX extends a sincere thank-you to each of these contributors and encourages others to join this worthwhile effort to promote aviation and aerospace research and education. For more information on the needs of the Library please contact the Museum.
William A. Schoneberger
The Library is named in honor of William A. Schoneberger, aviation writer-historian and co-founder of Flight Path. Schoneberger has authored or co-authored numerous books, including California Wings: A History of Aviation in the Golden State; The Symbol of Los Angeles: a History of the LAX Theme Building; and A Quarter Century of Aeronautics Pioneers. In addition he has penned a profusion of articles for aviation journals and for many years edited The Aileron, journal of the Aero Club of Southern California. His work has been honored by the Aviation/Space Writers Association.
A native of Cincinnati, Schoneberger was graduated from the University of South Carolina and was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1945. He founded his own aviation public relations firm Malibu in 1979 after heading corporate communications at Northrop Aviation and the General Electric Aircraft Engine Group. He was a regular participant at the Paris, Farnborough and Hanover international air shows for many years.
In the early 1990s, Schoneberger became a founding member of the Flight Path Board of Directors which spearheaded development of the present Flight Path Learning Center and Museum. William A. Schoneberger passed away in 2009.
