Book reviews: Helicopters, Principles of Flight etc
Scalextric for Men
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Southern England outside the M25
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AMAZON knew nothing of it when I enquired. Will there be signed copies at Helitech?
Last time I saw Shawn, twas at Redhill he flying an ultra light single engine with fenestrated tail rotor. It's on me home video.
What's he going to fly this year...............
Last time I saw Shawn, twas at Redhill he flying an ultra light single engine with fenestrated tail rotor. It's on me home video.
What's he going to fly this year...............
I got my own personal SIGNED copy,
Benn through it twice already, and it is still great!!! If I now only could convince the students that it is a good investment then that would all bee good then!
Highly recommendable too all.
(P.S.) You scared me with the title!
Benn through it twice already, and it is still great!!! If I now only could convince the students that it is a good investment then that would all bee good then!
Highly recommendable too all.
(P.S.) You scared me with the title!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I couldn't agree more. This is the best text ever written on rotary flight.
First impressions are of a fairly heavy text (literally as its a substantial book), if you flick through and see the large number of charts and graphs. But it is so well written, humourous and immensely readable.
I started my copy at 9pm one night and didn't put it down until 3am - it's full of so many gems and 'I never realised that....'s.
One of the gems for me was: 'where should the slip ball be in balanced forward flight?' No, not in the middle. But in the same position as in the hover. My aircraft hovers noticeably one skid low when without pax, which means by chasing the precise centre of the slip ball, I've been flying very slightly out of trim, well.., forever....... Yes, like many of the gems in the book, I guess many of you knew this, but I guarantee you'll find one you didn't know.
Unless you're the kind of pilot who only kicks the proverbial tyres and isn't interested in 'how', this book will massively enhance your understanding of helicopters.
Unmissable. Get a copy.
(the usual health warnings of: never met Shawn Coyle, not on commission, etc.)
First impressions are of a fairly heavy text (literally as its a substantial book), if you flick through and see the large number of charts and graphs. But it is so well written, humourous and immensely readable.
I started my copy at 9pm one night and didn't put it down until 3am - it's full of so many gems and 'I never realised that....'s.
One of the gems for me was: 'where should the slip ball be in balanced forward flight?' No, not in the middle. But in the same position as in the hover. My aircraft hovers noticeably one skid low when without pax, which means by chasing the precise centre of the slip ball, I've been flying very slightly out of trim, well.., forever....... Yes, like many of the gems in the book, I guess many of you knew this, but I guarantee you'll find one you didn't know.
Unless you're the kind of pilot who only kicks the proverbial tyres and isn't interested in 'how', this book will massively enhance your understanding of helicopters.
Unmissable. Get a copy.
(the usual health warnings of: never met Shawn Coyle, not on commission, etc.)
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just read Phil Croucher's latest book - Phil is better known to Rotorheads regulars as paco.
Phil holds UK and Canadian professional licences and has been Chief Pilot, Ops Manager and Training Captain for various companies in both countries.
Using that experience, he has gathered together information which will invaluable for all helicopter pilots - from those trying to get into the industry - through those embarking on their first job - right through to experienced pilots undertaking a task which is outside their normal experience.
After a short (inevitable) introduction about 'How Helicopters Work', Phil gets into what this book is really about - the sort of helpful advice and tips usually picked up in conversation with experienced pilots who've been out there doing the job rather than from training courses: 'Specialised Tasks' and 'Operational Stuff.'
The book has two chapters on two of the most commonly used light turbines, the B206 and AS350, which will be especially useful for private pilots.
The Handbook clearly aims at a different market from fellow-Rotorhead Shawn Coyle's book, recently reviewed here, but is no less valuable in a different sphere. I think it will be most popular amongst 'newish' professional pilots - but I suspect many old-timers who read it will wish there'd been a book like this when they started out!
The only small criticism I'd
make is that, for some reason,
the publisher has adopted a
two column format which makes
it rather more tiring to read
because we're used to our
eyes scanning the whole
width of a page instead of
having to go forwards and
backwards to the next line
every five words or so. But
don't let that put you off.
ISBN 0-9681928-3-1
Paperback £14.99 (UK)
Recommended.
Phil holds UK and Canadian professional licences and has been Chief Pilot, Ops Manager and Training Captain for various companies in both countries.
Using that experience, he has gathered together information which will invaluable for all helicopter pilots - from those trying to get into the industry - through those embarking on their first job - right through to experienced pilots undertaking a task which is outside their normal experience.
After a short (inevitable) introduction about 'How Helicopters Work', Phil gets into what this book is really about - the sort of helpful advice and tips usually picked up in conversation with experienced pilots who've been out there doing the job rather than from training courses: 'Specialised Tasks' and 'Operational Stuff.'
The book has two chapters on two of the most commonly used light turbines, the B206 and AS350, which will be especially useful for private pilots.
The Handbook clearly aims at a different market from fellow-Rotorhead Shawn Coyle's book, recently reviewed here, but is no less valuable in a different sphere. I think it will be most popular amongst 'newish' professional pilots - but I suspect many old-timers who read it will wish there'd been a book like this when they started out!
The only small criticism I'd
make is that, for some reason,
the publisher has adopted a
two column format which makes
it rather more tiring to read
because we're used to our
eyes scanning the whole
width of a page instead of
having to go forwards and
backwards to the next line
every five words or so. But
don't let that put you off.
ISBN 0-9681928-3-1
Paperback £14.99 (UK)
Recommended.
How many Rotorheads have written their own books?
On another thread we have reviews of theory books by Shawn Coyle and Paco, but how many of you are out there, having written your own "There I was..." book?
And where can we buy them?
And where can we buy them?
Iconoclast
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: The home of Dudley Dooright-Where the lead dog is the only one that gets a change of scenery.
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have written a book and it is in the final edit stage. It is being published by Pacos’ Electrocution publishing house. The book has only one chapter dealing with helicopters and it describes how a major helicopter manufacturer lied their way out of a wrongful death suit. A US Navy helicopter crashed killing the three-man crew. The Navy determined that a critical part had not been installed causing a tail rotor failure. The company insisted the part had been installed but the Navy investigators did not believe them.
The other chapters deal with man caused missile explosions and commercial aircraft crashes and their causes as well as how the crashes could have been prevented. An interesting read if I do say so myself. I will send a copy to Heliport for review and comment.
The other chapters deal with man caused missile explosions and commercial aircraft crashes and their causes as well as how the crashes could have been prevented. An interesting read if I do say so myself. I will send a copy to Heliport for review and comment.
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Europe
Age: 56
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whirly, why don’t you consider writing a book about your experiences becoming a pilot? You have regaled us here on Rotorheads with your ups and downs on the FI course but I’m sure a comprehensive book on why you started and how you got to where you are now would be a success. I don’t think such a story has been written before.
I’m sure it is no small undertaking but you seem to have a gift for capturing the feeling of the moment and it would make a riveting read of that I’m sure.
What do other prooners think?
I’m sure it is no small undertaking but you seem to have a gift for capturing the feeling of the moment and it would make a riveting read of that I’m sure.
What do other prooners think?
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Philadelphia PA
Age: 73
Posts: 1,835
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
At the risk of this being considered advertising - if anyone does have a book they would like to have published, please contact me. I'd be happy to talk about how to get it done.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cheltenham, UK
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not really in the "study guide" vein, but had to recommend a great book I have just finished reading to you guys..
"In the Company of Heroes" by Michael Durant (co-written by Steven Hartov)
If the name rings a bell, Mike is the US Army Blackhawk pilot shotdown and captured during a battle in Mogadishu Somalia, recently made famous in the movie "Blackhawk Down"
Excellent read, an amazing guy, also tells of his flying career in the US Army, he also saw action in Panama and Desert Storm.
Read the book "Blackhawk Down" first if you haven't already, so you get an idea of the battle itself. It's a great read also and is called a "treasured diary' by the soldiers actually involved in the battle.
In his book, Mike Durant finally reveals details of some horrific incidents that happened to him and his fellow crew that weren't in the book and certainly aren't in the movie!
Terrible tale, but worth reading, it tells the tale from the aviators point of view and you come away feeling positive about it all if that's possible, by his wisdom, that can only come from a helicopter pilot!!
"In the Company of Heroes" by Michael Durant (co-written by Steven Hartov)
If the name rings a bell, Mike is the US Army Blackhawk pilot shotdown and captured during a battle in Mogadishu Somalia, recently made famous in the movie "Blackhawk Down"
Excellent read, an amazing guy, also tells of his flying career in the US Army, he also saw action in Panama and Desert Storm.
Read the book "Blackhawk Down" first if you haven't already, so you get an idea of the battle itself. It's a great read also and is called a "treasured diary' by the soldiers actually involved in the battle.
In his book, Mike Durant finally reveals details of some horrific incidents that happened to him and his fellow crew that weren't in the book and certainly aren't in the movie!
Terrible tale, but worth reading, it tells the tale from the aviators point of view and you come away feeling positive about it all if that's possible, by his wisdom, that can only come from a helicopter pilot!!
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
Age: 72
Posts: 4,151
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes
on
14 Posts
You know, I did wonder about the two-column format - will look into changing it if I get more feedback.
Instrument flying (plank and heli) is covered in my JAR Professional Pilot Studies
Talking of books, look out for one from Lu, coming soon...... I enjoyed reading it, and I will enjoy publishing it
cheers
Phil
Instrument flying (plank and heli) is covered in my JAR Professional Pilot Studies
Talking of books, look out for one from Lu, coming soon...... I enjoyed reading it, and I will enjoy publishing it
cheers
Phil
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Sunrise, Fl. U.S.A.
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New Book Online!
Hi all,
I'm happy to announce that I've completed (took a couple of weeks) bringing the Aviation Instructor's handbook to my website, Dynamic Flight, and it is now live and available for viewing!
FAA Flight Instructor's Handbook
You may reach it directly using the provided link above, or from a link on my homepage.
Appendicies shall be added later ... Enjoy!
RW-1
I'm happy to announce that I've completed (took a couple of weeks) bringing the Aviation Instructor's handbook to my website, Dynamic Flight, and it is now live and available for viewing!
FAA Flight Instructor's Handbook
You may reach it directly using the provided link above, or from a link on my homepage.
Appendicies shall be added later ... Enjoy!
RW-1
Iconoclast
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: The home of Dudley Dooright-Where the lead dog is the only one that gets a change of scenery.
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm waiting to sell the movie rights.
My book titled "Finger trouble" has been published. The ISBN is
0-93732253-3-5.
0-93732253-3-5.
Last edited by Lu Zuckerman; 12th Nov 2003 at 22:05.
FAA Heli Instructors Handbook
Good mate of mine has written a helicopter instuctors handbook for the US market. There's loads of 'em over here but apparently none in the states.
John
Why not suggest he contributes to Rotorheads?
He can tell us about his book himself then.
Heliport
John
Why not suggest he contributes to Rotorheads?
He can tell us about his book himself then.
Heliport
Last edited by Heliport; 15th Nov 2003 at 12:44.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: USA
Age: 75
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am familiar with those publications, and they are not in the same league with the texts you already have. The Army design guides have lots of sepcification info, so you can nail down the criteria to design to, if you have the Army as a customer. In other words, they tell you what the design answer must be - speeds, structural criteria, strengths, etc. They do not really teach you much about how to get that answer.
For someone who flies a light civil helo, those criteria will read like the specs for Klingon battle tank, at once very strange and also very tough!
For someone who flies a light civil helo, those criteria will read like the specs for Klingon battle tank, at once very strange and also very tough!