Recommended Books??

chris · February 18th, 2003, 07:37

Hey guys,

Someone recommended to me "Understanding Flying" by Richard Taylor... is it good?

Essentially, I am looking for a book that deals with Theory of Flight (instrumentation, the physics of flight, factors affecting performance, etc). I want something that is:
- easy to read
- includes pictures and examples
- does not focus on math equations
- will be useful for cfi training and beyond (ie. nothing that is too basic; I am currently working on CPL)

Thanks a lot guys.

aviator · February 18th, 2003, 08:32

The quintessential manual on how to fly airplanes...

Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche

Acadia · February 18th, 2003, 10:59

The problem with stick and rudder is that much of the aerodynamics info is wrong. Its an interesting book, but not the best to learn from. Also it certainly does not fit into the "easy to read" category.

E_Dawg · February 18th, 2003, 13:11

You want an exact aerodynamic book go buy an engineer's manual; you want a down to earth - just what you need book that's actually revelant on everything flying get Stick and Rudder in my opinion; I've never read Understanding Flying so can't help you there

aviator · February 18th, 2003, 15:06

For something a little more advanced I would recomend

The Illustrated Guide to Aerodynamics

and

Aircraft Systems for Pilots

It would be a stretch to call either one a page turner but both are very good.

bluelake · February 18th, 2003, 21:50

Stick and Rudder should not be your first book. Once you get close to the PPL, or anytime after... definitely get it. Some parts of it ware a bit wacky, but the parts of that ARE NOT WACKY are the parts that will save you ASS. when flying fromw downwind to final, I do not think I have ever had the ball out of the cage EVER after reading that book. And also, since reading that book, there are several types of stall scenarios I train and practice regularly...

Acadia · February 19th, 2003, 05:51

You don’t need an engineering manual for good aerodynamics. I found "The Illustrated Guide To Aerodynamics" by H.C. Skip Smith to be very readable and a great intro book.

Also the good ole government text “Airplane Flying Handbook” FAA-H-8083-3 is worth having on the shelf.

February 18th, 2003, 07:37	#1
chris Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 291	Recommended Books?? Hey guys, Someone recommended to me "Understanding Flying" by Richard Taylor... is it good? Essentially, I am looking for a book that deals with Theory of Flight (instrumentation, the physics of flight, factors affecting performance, etc). I want something that is: - easy to read - includes pictures and examples - does not focus on math equations - will be useful for cfi training and beyond (ie. nothing that is too basic; I am currently working on CPL) Thanks a lot guys.

February 18th, 2003, 08:32	#2
aviator Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 385	Re: Recommended Books?? The quintessential manual on how to fly airplanes... Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche

February 18th, 2003, 10:59	#3
Acadia Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: BHB - Maine Posts: 2,969	Re: Recommended Books?? The problem with stick and rudder is that much of the aerodynamics info is wrong. Its an interesting book, but not the best to learn from. Also it certainly does not fit into the "easy to read" category.

February 18th, 2003, 13:11	#4
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,233	Re: Recommended Books?? You want an exact aerodynamic book go buy an engineer's manual; you want a down to earth - just what you need book that's actually revelant on everything flying get Stick and Rudder in my opinion; I've never read Understanding Flying so can't help you there

February 18th, 2003, 15:06	#5
aviator Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 385	Re: Recommended Books?? For something a little more advanced I would recomend The Illustrated Guide to Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems for Pilots It would be a stretch to call either one a page turner but both are very good.

February 18th, 2003, 21:50	#6
bluelake Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 619	Re: Recommended Books?? Stick and Rudder should not be your first book. Once you get close to the PPL, or anytime after... definitely get it. Some parts of it ware a bit wacky, but the parts of that ARE NOT WACKY are the parts that will save you ASS. when flying fromw downwind to final, I do not think I have ever had the ball out of the cage EVER after reading that book. And also, since reading that book, there are several types of stall scenarios I train and practice regularly...

February 19th, 2003, 05:51	#7
Acadia Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: BHB - Maine Posts: 2,969	Re: Recommended Books?? You don’t need an engineering manual for good aerodynamics. I found "The Illustrated Guide To Aerodynamics" by H.C. Skip Smith to be very readable and a great intro book. Also the good ole government text “Airplane Flying Handbook” FAA-H-8083-3 is worth having on the shelf.

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