Book Reviews

Recently Neil Glazer, president of PilotMall.com, sent out an e-mail with the eight books the folks at PilotMall believe should be in every aviator’s library.

Here are the eight books, with commentary about why they were chosen by PilotMall.com officials.

Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot

by Richie Lengel

In just 430 pages, Lengel answers questions geared specifically to student pilots, private and instrument rated flyers, professional aviators and flight instructors, whilst also tacking an inordinate number of questions that most pilots would never even think to ask. If there is only one book to which pilots should turn as the epitome of collective aviation knowledge, without a doubt it is this one.

Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook

Well-known aviation humourist and flight instructor Rod Machado has a penchant for turning ordinary subject matter into laughable lessons. In his Private Pilot Handbook, Rod uses his unique gift of humour to present essential aeronautical information in his one-of-a-kind irreverent style.

A classic source that will keep student pilot, experienced aviators and non-flyers laughing and learning from cover to cover.

Rod Machado Instrument Pilot Handbook

With his ultra-current Instrument Pilot’s Handbook, aviation celebrity Rod Machado shows he is much more than the funny flight instructor and amusing aviator persona he presents at his world-famous speaking engagements. Anyone who reads even a few pages of this captivating, visually loaded text will see that Machado holds the answers to hundreds of questions most pilots would never even think to ask. Page after page, Rod teaches you not just the necessities crucial to safe IFR flight, he also educates you on how to think as a pilot in command. Utilising his one-of-a-kind approach, Machado’s witty wisdom teaches far more than any comparable book on the market comes close to covering. A first-class example of why Machado is a master of his art.

ASA Beyond Flight Training

The ‘real world’ of flying for a new pilot can be daunting. In Beyond Flight Training, veteran pilot and instructor LeRoy Cook probes the possibilities, from travel to thinking about what is next. You will learn ‘lessons’ that your flight instructor never taught you. Perhaps you want to add an instrument rating or want to know how to really plan a cross country flying vacation or get a seaplane rating. You have learned the basics, now it is time to build on what you know to make that training work for you. The author lets you see what lies beyond flight school.

Let us hear from you: What did you think about the list? What books would you add?

Any you would take off the list?

The Complete Taildragger Pilot

Drawing upon his decades as a taildragger pilot and CFI, author Harvey Plourde lays out all the essentials for learning to fly conventional-gear airplanes. Throughout the book, Plourde provides advice on handling the turning tendencies, negotiating crosswinds, taxiing a taildragger and avoiding the infamous ground loop. The book also includes a section directed toward flight instructors. A handy resource to complement tailwheel training.

Taildragger Tactics

Famed backcountry pilot and flight instructor Sparky Imeson shares the intricacies of taildragger operations he has gleaned from his years of operating in the bush. In Taildragger Tactics, Imeson progresses logically from pre-flight to tie down whilst covering all the need-to-know details in between. In addition, Imeson covers the fundamentals of conventional-gear aerodynamics, crosswind considerations and regulations specific to tailwheel flight. His building-block structure and coherent commentary make this an easy read from cover to cover. A beneficial investment for the potential taildragger pilot. Additional suggestion: Sparky’s Shirt Pocket Mountain Flying Guide.

Pilot’s Pocket Handbook

In the Pilot’s Pocket Handbook, author Art Parma has assembled an assortment of aviation info useful to pilots of all experience levels. Amongst the contents, Parma includes frequently used conversions, aircraft country codes, common abbreviations and acronyms, a weather decoder, pilot memory aids, standard and emergency checklists and a host of other information of interest to aviators. An affordable, comprehensive collection of helpful data.

To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace

Both lifelong aviators and non-pilots alike will revel in this fascinating account of the life and career of a distinguished military pilot. Born in California, Clarence E. ‘Bud’ Anderson earned his wings with the US Army Air Forces in a P-39 Airacobra before being assigned to the 357th Fighter Group as a P-51 Mustang combat pilot. Whilst serving in the European theatre, Anderson flew 116 missions and shot down an incredible 17 enemy aircraft, making him a triple ace without taking a single hit to ‘Old Crow,’ his trusty Mustang.