Books Every Pilot Should Read

TravDK · January 31st, 2007, 22:37

I am at a time in my life where I am grounded! Sucks I know. Finishing up my degree at the university and saving a little money before I pursue my dream. Anyways, I have found reading about flying is the next best thing. It keeps my moral high and my thirst for flying brawnier than ever plus I know it will make me a better and safer pilot when I get back into the left seat. I just read 101 Things To Do With Your Private Pilot's License (even though I don't have it) by Leroy Cook. I really liked it and although I didn't learn a whole lot of new information, I was forced to think about what I have learned so far. So here is a free shout out for Leroy, read his book!

I was wondering if any of you pilots out there (who I admire so much) could think of books that you think a pilot should take the time to read (aside from my manuals, FAR etc.) I would love the suggestions and more than likely read them before you make your next post. Thanks.

P.S. This is my first thread on jetcareers and I would like to give a quick THANK YOU to Doug Taylor and everybody who post on this site. You are simply INVALUABLE! Glad to be part of this.

surreal1221 · January 31st, 2007, 22:38

Welcome to JC!

Crockrocket94 · January 31st, 2007, 22:42

Anything by Ernest K. Gann!

check out Fate is the Hunter or Island in the Sky.

Both are great books.

He is an aviation God.

JEP · January 31st, 2007, 22:42

Fate Is The Hunter

Captain I
Captain II

taseal · January 31st, 2007, 22:54

if you are into military planes, really know their systems (CCIP, CCRP, DTOS etc lol) vipers in the storm was an AWESOMEEEE book...

i felt like I was there the hole time... it is a diary of a F16 pilot in desert storm...

man, i seriouisly finished that book in 2 days, and wrote him an email telling him how much I fell in love with the book

lgafo · January 31st, 2007, 22:55

Fate is the hunter
North Star Over my shoulder by Bob Buck
Moondogs Academy of the Air-Pete Fusco

All must reads.
Do not post again until all have been read. JK

kellwolf · January 31st, 2007, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEP

Fate Is The Hunter

Captain I
Captain II

Word. And Jim, thanks for letting me and John borrow those last two. They rocked.

If you're planning on doing the airline thing, I highly suggest Flying the Line Vol 1 and 2 if you can get a copy. I snagged Vol 2 at a Goodwill store and I got a copy of Vol 1 when I got to the airline.

JEP · January 31st, 2007, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Word. And Jim, thanks for letting me and John borrow those last two. They rocked.

If you're planning on doing the airline thing, I highly suggest Flying the Line Vol 1 and 2 if you can get a copy. I snagged Vol 2 at a Goodwill store and I got a copy of Vol 1 when I got to the airline.

Just doing my part to pay it forward in any way possible! No Problem....

turbojet28 · January 31st, 2007, 23:38

1. Redefining Airmanship, by Tony Kern
2. Weather Flying, by Bob Buck

Hacker15e · February 1st, 2007, 00:16

Stick and Rudder by Langewiesche is a must read for aviators. Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators (published by ASA, I think) is also an excellent book.

For military flying, I personally like Thud Ridge (although you have to filter out a lot of the prejudices of the author, Jack Broughton) and When Thunder Rolled by Ed Rasimus. Both are books about flying F-105s in Vietnam. If you want more than just "there I was" stories, Fighter Combat by Shaw is excellent.

Champcar · February 1st, 2007, 00:19

If you want to get technical then Fly the Wing is great.

A must have is Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot

Heath · February 1st, 2007, 00:21

North Star Over My Shoulder - Bob Buck, one of my favorite reads in a long time. Wow, what a charmed life that guy has lead!

The Greatest Flying Stories Ever Told - This book is a bunch of excerpts from other books. But that let me taste several great flying books and then go buy the ones that I really enjoyed.

The Spirit of Saint Louis - Lindburg, a really well written account of his trip across the atlantic.

Stick and Rudder is a really good one if you're just starting to fly. It explains basic airmanship in ways that many CFI's have trouble putting words to. It uses some dated terms for some items, like calling elevators "flippers," but is still a good read.

kellwolf · February 1st, 2007, 00:31

Stick and Rudder is good, and I plan to get my hands on Flying the Wing. I've had a couple of guys here at Pinnacle tell me it's good for getting a handle on high speed and high altitude aerodynamics. They don't spend a lot of time on that in training here, even after 3701.

As far as military, I lean towards the WWII stuff. The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle is an excellent read. Non-aviation, but good from the German perspective, is Knight's Cross, the biography of Rommel.

WestIndian425 · February 1st, 2007, 01:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Champcar

If you want to get technical then Fly the Wing is great.

A must have is Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot

I second that motion.

killbilly · February 1st, 2007, 02:37

Reading North Star right now...

I have some opinions about it, but I'll wait to finish it...

Planning on picking up Machado's PPL and INS books, too.

n57flyguy · February 1st, 2007, 07:42

Stick and Rudder!

ROFCIBC · February 1st, 2007, 07:58

Flying the Line and Flying the Line Vol II by George E. Hopkins.

Good historical summary of unions, specifically ALPA and the airlines.

In case you might already be a union member, especially ALPA these two books are in the must read category. Gives a good perspective of where we once were, which rams headlong into where we are today.

While a lot is due to management, a lot is self induced.

nosehair · February 1st, 2007, 10:50

"Illusions" - by Richard Bach
"Stick and Rudder" - by Langewiesch

Both of these complement one another. Illusions is about the philosophy of flying, and stick & rudder is about the physical application of the principles brought out in Illusions.

Read them both.

Killtron2000 · February 1st, 2007, 10:58

Stranger to the Ground by Richard Bach was good but the book I got the most out of as far as flying goes was Jeppesen's Instrument/Commercial manual.

Sprint100 · February 1st, 2007, 11:15

The POH

FlyWhiteSox · February 1st, 2007, 11:17

Awesome book about ASA Flight 529. Expertly written and a real easy read.

Talks about the human and technical side of a plane crash.

I got it for 0.35 + S & H on Amazon!

I_Money · February 1st, 2007, 11:44

I would say they should read their charts and probably their schedule, and the FAs lips when she says NO!

TravDK · February 1st, 2007, 13:08

Thanks you all. Blown away from the amount suggested, off to the library a.k.a amazon.com for poor people.

January 31st, 2007, 22:37	#1
TravDK Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Williamsville, New York Posts: 67	Books Every Pilot Should Read I am at a time in my life where I am grounded! Sucks I know. Finishing up my degree at the university and saving a little money before I pursue my dream. Anyways, I have found reading about flying is the next best thing. It keeps my moral high and my thirst for flying brawnier than ever plus I know it will make me a better and safer pilot when I get back into the left seat. I just read 101 Things To Do With Your Private Pilot's License (even though I don't have it) by Leroy Cook. I really liked it and although I didn't learn a whole lot of new information, I was forced to think about what I have learned so far. So here is a free shout out for Leroy, read his book! I was wondering if any of you pilots out there (who I admire so much) could think of books that you think a pilot should take the time to read (aside from my manuals, FAR etc.) I would love the suggestions and more than likely read them before you make your next post. Thanks. P.S. This is my first thread on jetcareers and I would like to give a quick THANK YOU to Doug Taylor and everybody who post on this site. You are simply INVALUABLE! Glad to be part of this.

January 31st, 2007, 22:38	#2
surreal1221 Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alpha Tango Lima Posts: 10,352	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Welcome to JC! __________________ AGI.MEI.CFI.CFII.FO.CRJ2 \| Josh \| The TRoP \| Rmble On \| ALPA \| IVAW \| ACLU \|

January 31st, 2007, 22:42	#3
Crockrocket94 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In a place warmer than State College.. for now. Posts: 939	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Anything by Ernest K. Gann! check out Fate is the Hunter or Island in the Sky. Both are great books. He is an aviation God. __________________ Craig CFI-CFII-MEI www.logshare.com/log.jsp?email=craigcrocker1@yahoo.com

January 31st, 2007, 22:42	#4
JEP Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN (KFCM) (KMSP) Posts: 11,191 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Fate Is The Hunter Captain I Captain II __________________ : : : “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching.”

January 31st, 2007, 22:54	#5
taseal Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 1,961	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read if you are into military planes, really know their systems (CCIP, CCRP, DTOS etc lol) vipers in the storm was an AWESOMEEEE book... i felt like I was there the hole time... it is a diary of a F16 pilot in desert storm... man, i seriouisly finished that book in 2 days, and wrote him an email telling him how much I fell in love with the book

January 31st, 2007, 22:55	#6
lgafo Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NY Posts: 19	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Fate is the hunter North Star Over my shoulder by Bob Buck Moondogs Academy of the Air-Pete Fusco All must reads. Do not post again until all have been read. JK

January 31st, 2007, 23:38	#9
turbojet28 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 453	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read 1. Redefining Airmanship, by Tony Kern 2. Weather Flying, by Bob Buck

February 1st, 2007, 00:16	#10
Hacker15e Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lakenpain Posts: 1,041	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Stick and Rudder by Langewiesche is a must read for aviators. Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators (published by ASA, I think) is also an excellent book. For military flying, I personally like Thud Ridge (although you have to filter out a lot of the prejudices of the author, Jack Broughton) and When Thunder Rolled by Ed Rasimus. Both are books about flying F-105s in Vietnam. If you want more than just "there I was" stories, Fighter Combat by Shaw is excellent. __________________ Trains were meant to be strafed. 0100011000101101001100010011010101000101

February 1st, 2007, 00:19	#11
Champcar Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KROC Posts: 2,245	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read If you want to get technical then Fly the Wing is great. A must have is Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot __________________ Commercial Single/Multi Instrument IGI

February 1st, 2007, 00:21	#12
Heath Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bowling Green, KY Posts: 303	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read North Star Over My Shoulder - Bob Buck, one of my favorite reads in a long time. Wow, what a charmed life that guy has lead! The Greatest Flying Stories Ever Told - This book is a bunch of excerpts from other books. But that let me taste several great flying books and then go buy the ones that I really enjoyed. The Spirit of Saint Louis - Lindburg, a really well written account of his trip across the atlantic. Stick and Rudder is a really good one if you're just starting to fly. It explains basic airmanship in ways that many CFI's have trouble putting words to. It uses some dated terms for some items, like calling elevators "flippers," but is still a good read. __________________ Heath Martin, CFI, CFII, MEI --------------------------------------------------------------------- They say money talks. Mine keeps saying, "Goodbye!"

February 1st, 2007, 00:31	#13
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 14,230	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Stick and Rudder is good, and I plan to get my hands on Flying the Wing. I've had a couple of guys here at Pinnacle tell me it's good for getting a handle on high speed and high altitude aerodynamics. They don't spend a lot of time on that in training here, even after 3701. As far as military, I lean towards the WWII stuff. The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle is an excellent read. Non-aviation, but good from the German perspective, is Knight's Cross, the biography of Rommel. __________________ "I'm The Doctor, by the way. Run for your life!"

February 1st, 2007, 02:37	#15
killbilly Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,262	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Reading North Star right now... I have some opinions about it, but I'll wait to finish it... Planning on picking up Machado's PPL and INS books, too.

February 1st, 2007, 07:42	#16
n57flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,803	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Stick and Rudder! __________________ Proud member of the JetCareers Really, Really Mini-Libertarian Movement *I'll keep my freedom, my guns, and my money... you can keep "THE CHANGE"*

February 1st, 2007, 07:58	#17
ROFCIBC Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bossier City, Louisiana Posts: 591	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Flying the Line and Flying the Line Vol II by George E. Hopkins. Good historical summary of unions, specifically ALPA and the airlines. In case you might already be a union member, especially ALPA these two books are in the must read category. Gives a good perspective of where we once were, which rams headlong into where we are today. While a lot is due to management, a lot is self induced. __________________ ROFCIBC, aka JIBC I didn't do that, I won't do it again, you can't prove it, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

February 1st, 2007, 10:50	#18
nosehair Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 626	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read "Illusions" - by Richard Bach "Stick and Rudder" - by Langewiesch Both of these complement one another. Illusions is about the philosophy of flying, and stick & rudder is about the physical application of the principles brought out in Illusions. Read them both.

February 1st, 2007, 10:58	#19
Killtron2000 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Prime Universe Posts: 1,638	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Stranger to the Ground by Richard Bach was good but the book I got the most out of as far as flying goes was Jeppesen's Instrument/Commercial manual. __________________ This is a signature, fear it.

February 1st, 2007, 11:15	#20
Sprint100 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In my Cozy garage Posts: 6,272	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read The POH __________________ Excellence is not a single act, but a habit. "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, that diminshes fear" - Rosa Parks

February 1st, 2007, 11:17	#21
FlyWhiteSox Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: La Grange, IL (1C5) and Champaign, IL (KCMI) Posts: 396	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Awesome book about ASA Flight 529. Expertly written and a real easy read. Talks about the human and technical side of a plane crash. I got it for 0.35 + S & H on Amazon! __________________ "Pain is simply the appetizer to the Great Meal that is suffering, death is the dessert." --Mark Stoffer

February 1st, 2007, 11:44	#22
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,691	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read I would say they should read their charts and probably their schedule, and the FAs lips when she says NO!

February 1st, 2007, 13:08	#23
TravDK Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Williamsville, New York Posts: 67	Re: Books Every Pilot Should Read Thanks you all. Blown away from the amount suggested, off to the library a.k.a amazon.com for poor people.

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