Aviation Books Must read list?

LoadMasterC141 · October 5th, 2006, 17:46

I have steered away from the boob tube lately and spent a lot more time reading.
The Bob Buck book reccomendation got me wondering what books everyone would recommend as a must read that are Aviation related?

So what are your top 5 favorite aviation related books?

surreal1221 · October 5th, 2006, 17:48

Any Dale Brown book. Has more of a military aviation touch, but still great books.

LoadMasterC141 · October 5th, 2006, 18:00

I have actually read a few of his books, but they are fiction.

Actually looking for some good non-fiction reads for the most part.

I have read alot of specific airline stories, more business oriented than anything. Looking for more Bob Buck type deals. One of my personal favorites is Heavy Jets by John Miller, though it is admittedly a little fictitious.

Tim · October 5th, 2006, 18:03

The book about Gordon Bethune and the CAL turn around a few years back.
The book called "Debunking the Myth: The Delta story"
Space by James Michener(i misspelled I am sure). Its older book but very good book at the US space program

surreal1221 · October 5th, 2006, 18:09

Ah I see. . . fair enough.

I also recommend the Debunking the Myth book, GREAT read.

Tim · October 5th, 2006, 18:38

surreal the book about Delta nailed it. The guy who wrote the book must have had a crystal ball because he correctly predicted the issues the company faced in the 90's and even now.

LoadMasterC141 · October 5th, 2006, 18:55

There are a couple good books on CAL, that is one of them.

And yes, the Delta book was very foretelling.

Flight Ready · October 5th, 2006, 19:13

"Bush-Pilot in Diamond Country" by Donald Haack.

Donald Haack owns a local jewerly store here in CLT. His book (autobiography) is all about his flying adventures in British Guianna while mining for gold and diamonds. Lot's of stories about bush pilots...flying...etc.

Kingairer · October 5th, 2006, 20:15

"Are you there God, Its me Margret" ...Couldnt put it down.

MQAAord · October 5th, 2006, 20:19

"The Long Way Home" by Ed Dover. I was in awe when I finished that book. What a (true!) story.

mpenguin1 · October 5th, 2006, 20:48

Hard Landing

http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Landing-P.../dp/0812928350

Hard Landing: The Epic Contest for Power and Profits That Plunged the Airlines into Chaos.

themctm · October 5th, 2006, 21:30

I cant believe no one has mentioned Ernest K. Gann. His books are awesome. They also made some pretty good movies with John Wayne-The High and the Mighty and that other one-my mind has suddenly gone blank after 4 hrs. of Hazmat training

surreal1221 · October 5th, 2006, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flight Ready

"Bush-Pilot in Diamond Country" by Donald Haack.

Donald Haack owns a local jewerly store here in CLT. His book (autobiography) is all about his flying adventures in British Guianna while mining for gold and diamonds. Lot's of stories about bush pilots...flying...etc.

CLT eh? Ever make it down to the CAE area?

aloft · October 5th, 2006, 22:24

Fate Is The Hunter, Ernest K. Gann
Weather Flying, Robert Buck
Mountain Flying Bible, Sparky Imeson

Kingairer · October 5th, 2006, 22:29

Nothing by Dick Collins

frog_flyer · October 6th, 2006, 02:28

both fiction

but, Night Fall and Mayday by Nelson Demille

well, one might argue that only one is fiction

SIUav8er · October 6th, 2006, 02:33

"Stick and Rudder" by Langewiesch
"Mountain Flying Bible" by Sparky Imeson
"Instrument Pilots Survival Manual by Rod Machado
"FAR/AIM" Federal Aviation Administration
...the list goes on.

JEP · October 6th, 2006, 08:30

B767Driver · October 6th, 2006, 08:52

Ernie Gann, Fate is the Hunter. Reprints are pretty easy to find. If you can find an original...hold on to it.

Bob Buck's, North Star Over my Shoulder I found just as fascinating. His experiences in aviation are downright Forest Gump like. He was involved in many pioneering efforts.

rickyrhodesii · October 6th, 2006, 10:14

"Flight of Passage" by Rinker Buck
"Flight of the Intruder" Stephen Coonts

jawright · October 6th, 2006, 11:27

"The Killing Zone" by Paul A. Craig. I think when I am a CFI I am going to make my PVT students read it.

Aviator737 · October 6th, 2006, 11:53

Not sure why he gets so much flak from some pilots, but I happen to like most anything by John J. Nance, fiction or non. He's a good writer.

I'll second North Star Over My Shoulder. Good read.

tgrayson · October 6th, 2006, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by jawright

I think when I am a CFI I am going to make my PVT students read it.

Good luck.

Raskolnikov · October 6th, 2006, 21:15

The Spirit of St. Louis by Charles Lindbergh

Awesome read

PGT · October 6th, 2006, 22:39

I have several sitting in my cloest. Some are AWESOME.

Scream of Eagles by Robert K Wilcox (how they started top gun)
Bogeys and Bandits by Robert Gandt (Naval aviators going through school)
Vipers in the Storm by Keith Rosenkranz (F16 pilot in the gulf war, excellent)
Strike Eagly by William Smallwood (F15 squad in the gulf)
Black Aces High by Robert Wilcox (F14 squad in Kosovo)

if anybody wants to borrow and read some I would be more then happy to ship em to ya, i can even pay postage one way, and you can just return in it when done.