Though we routinely take to the air, for many of us flying remains a mystery. Few of us understand the how and why of jetting from New York to London in six hours. How does a plane stay in the air? Can turbulence bring it down? What is windshear? How good are the security checks? Patrick Smith, an airline pilot and author of Salon.com's popular column, "Ask the Pilot," unravels the secrets and tells you all there is to know about the strange and fascinating world of commercial flight. He offers: A nuts and bolts explanation of how planes fly Insights into safety and security Straight talk about turbulence, air traffic control, windshear, and crashes The history, color, and controversy of the world's airlines The awe and oddity of being a pilot The poetry and drama of airplanes, airports, and traveling abroad In a series of frank, often funny explanations and essays, Smith speaks eloquently to our fears and curiosities, incorporating anecdotes, memoir, and a life's passion for flight. He tackles our toughest concerns, debunks conspiracy theories and myths, and in a rarely heard voice dares to return a dash of romance and glamour to air travel.
A poetic and nuanced exploration of the human experience of flight that reminds us of the full imaginative weight of our most ordinary journeys—and reawakens our capacity to be amazed. The twenty-first century has relegated airplane flight—a once remarkable feat of human ingenuity—to the realm of the mundane. Mark Vanhoenacker, a 747 pilot who left academia and a career in the business world to pursue his childhood dream of flight, asks us to reimagine what we—both as pilots and as passengers—are actually doing when we enter the world between departure and discovery. In a seamless fusion of history, politics, geography, meteorology, ecology, family, and physics, Vanhoenacker vaults across geographical and cultural boundaries; above mountains, oceans, and deserts; through snow, wind, and rain, renewing a simultaneously humbling and almost superhuman activity that affords us unparalleled perspectives on the planet we inhabit and the communities we form.
Adverse aircraft-pilot coupling (APC) events include a broad set of undesirable and sometimes hazardous phenomena that originate in anomalous interactions between pilots and aircraft. As civil and military aircraft technologies advance, interactions between pilots and aircraft are becoming more complex. Recent accidents and other incidents have been attributed to adverse APC in military aircraft. In addition, APC has been implicated in some civilian incidents. This book evaluates the current state of knowledge about adverse APC and processes that may be used to eliminate it from military and commercial aircraft. It was written for technical, government, and administrative decisionmakers and their technical and administrative support staffs; key technical managers in the aircraft manufacturing and operational industries; stability and control engineers; aircraft flight control system designers; research specialists in flight control, flying qualities, human factors; and technically knowledgeable lay readers.
Aircraft Systems For Professional Pilots from Peter Vosbury and William Kohlruss of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University covers all airframe and engine-related systems that are required for an aircraft to be operated effectively, efficiently, and safely by the flight crew. This book is intended for individuals who are learning to fly with their goal being a career as a pilot in corporate, commercial, or military aviation or for the already professional pilot who wants a review of how systems work.A commercial airline pilot instinctively knows that their airplane has a hydraulic system, but they may have forgotten the details of what type of pump is used and how the pump works. This book will provide all those details.The systems discussed cover everything from small airplanes like a Cessna 172, to large commercial airliners like a Boeing 787.
This book is a single source, concise presentation of what pilots should know about basic aircraft systems. The content reflects the author's more than thirty-five years experience of flying and fourteen years of teaching Aircraft Systems to university students. Aircraft Systems for Pilots includes a brief study of the fundamentals of physical matter (from which airplanes are made) and mechanics (how airplane parts act and react). The author provides sufficient study of each type of system to allow the professional pilot to stay abreast of the critical learning which must occur as the pilot advances into management of more complex aircraft. Subject covered include physics, aircraft engine types and construction, reciprocating engine theory of operation, engine lubrication and cooling, propellers and governors, fuels and fuel systems, power management, supercharging and turbocharging, pressurization and high altitude operations, electrical principles, electrical components, aircraft electrical systems, hydraulic systems and landing gear, pneumatic and deicing systems, aircraft structures and flight controls, weight and balance, inspections, pilot maintenance, and aircraft instrument systems. Illustrated throughout, study questions conclude each chapter and includes index. In print for more than 30 years and continually updated through the years, this 4th Edition continues to serve as the comprehensive college textbook for pilots learning aircraft systems.
Introduction -- The pathology of flight -- Engineering the human machine -- Flying blind -- The changing role of the human component -- Flight without flyers -- The modern pilot, redefined -- New horizons of flight -- Conclusion: the past and future of pilots
Don't think you can become a pilot? I think you can - learning to fly is easier than you think! Have you always dreamed of becoming a pilot? Are you wondering if now is a good time to become a pilot? Do you want to get started with flight training, but need help choosing a school? All your questions will be answered in this book! This book may be the most important book you will ever read if you want to become a professional pilot... But first a warning, this is not a book about "learning to fly" in a literal sense. You won't learn how aerodynamics work or how to control an aircraft in flight - that's something you will learn once you start your flight training. Instead, this book contains information that flight schools won't teach you. The information you NEED to know before you should commit to flight training! The knowledge you gain from this book is essential for you to have a successful and enjoyable career as a commercial or airline pilot! The main focus of the book is on FAA and EASA flight training in the U.S., but most of the principles apply regardless of your nationality. Whether you want to earn your private pilot certificate, become a corporate pilot, or become a captain in a major airline - this book is for you. And one note to the ladies - it is now the golden age for female pilots! Did you know you could become a commercial pilot, or even a flight instructor, at the age of 18 with less than 12 months of training? Right now is an excellent time to become a pilot because there is a global pilot shortage that is expected to last for the next two decades or longer. Boeing estimates that there will be a worldwide demand for 790,000 pilots between 2018 and 2037. That's a lot of pilots! How do I know the pilot shortage is not just a myth? Currently, most airlines in China are hiring airline captains from foreign countries because there are not enough Chinese pilots. And what's the pay like? Boeing 737 or Airbus 320 captains can earn an annual salary up to $380,000! That's over 30k per month! ...and, wait for it--it's all tax-free (in China)! Yes, it will be a long road to become an airline captain earning a good salary. But guess what? Reading this book will help you decide if you want to pursue the career. Who is this Author? With Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Vesa knows a thing or two about aviation. With several years as a flight instructor, assistant chief flight instructor, and ultimately as the Chief Flight Instructor of a major flight academy, he is an expert in pilot training. Having trained hundreds of pilots who currently work for many airlines (including many Chinese airlines), he has the first-hand knowledge of the demand for new pilots. Because of his experience as a corporate airline captain, he understands the benefits and downsides of pilot life and can help you decide whether it's a good career path for you! Here are some of the questions this book will answer: Is a pilot career a good choise for me? How much does flight training cost? What are the medical requirements for pilots? How can I finance flight training without any savings or income? What are the benefits and downsides of a pilot career? What kind of certificates and ratings do I need to start working as a professional pilot? How to choose the best flight school (and flight instructor) based on my individual needs? Flight training is fast-paced, fun, and exciting. Why not get started now?
