Book reviews: Helicopters, Principles of Flight etc
I second that 212 man, having done my exams years previous I still read his first one (The Art and Science of Flying Helicopters) cover to cover and very impressed with it.
Recommended it to a friend who was about to sit his then CAA exams and his words were: “the first book that clear up those more complex P of F bits and it was paramount in me passing my exam”.
Also it says a lot about a person if he doesn’t plug his own book but recommend another (see above). Don’t get me wrong Prouty’s books are an institution but IMHO Shawn’s book reads easier and that’s a bonus on a sometimes “dry” subject that P of F can be.
Recommended it to a friend who was about to sit his then CAA exams and his words were: “the first book that clear up those more complex P of F bits and it was paramount in me passing my exam”.
Also it says a lot about a person if he doesn’t plug his own book but recommend another (see above). Don’t get me wrong Prouty’s books are an institution but IMHO Shawn’s book reads easier and that’s a bonus on a sometimes “dry” subject that P of F can be.
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A third vote here for modest Mr. Coyle's books, although I think "The Art and Science..." has been superseded by "Cyclic and Collective"
Very comprehensive and thought provoking.
For "real world" information distilled, I've not seen beter than Paco's, "The Helicopter Pilots Handbook", and I think he's got some JAA specific stuff in print as well.
Very comprehensive and thought provoking.
For "real world" information distilled, I've not seen beter than Paco's, "The Helicopter Pilots Handbook", and I think he's got some JAA specific stuff in print as well.
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Wagtendonk is the best P of F book available.Read that twice and complete the questions at the end of each chapter and you will have a sound knowledge on how the helicopter flys.Alot of JAA questions use the same terminology as he does.
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Helilad - I believe the JAA use his book, but it does need a supplement for the exams, else why do Bristol add a supplement for their military bridging course? As a standalone non-exam book, though, it's good enough - and you do need to read it twice! My own preference for a compact book, if you can get an old copy, is John Fahey's The Helicopter and How It Flies, supplemented, of course, by Shawn's Books!
I would not be at all surprised to hear that the JAA also refer to Rotary Wing Flight, which was distilled from US NAvy material. I will ask them next time I speak.
Farmpilot - PM me for details on such a book.
Phil
I would not be at all surprised to hear that the JAA also refer to Rotary Wing Flight, which was distilled from US NAvy material. I will ask them next time I speak.
Farmpilot - PM me for details on such a book.
Phil
Hovering AND talking
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I love books and I love flying therefore, books on flying are a bit of an addiction!
However, I have Shawn Coyle's Cyclic and Collective and was wondering if this is essentially a re-write of the earlier Art and Science book or are the different enough to warrant buying that one as well!
Cheers
Whirls
However, I have Shawn Coyle's Cyclic and Collective and was wondering if this is essentially a re-write of the earlier Art and Science book or are the different enough to warrant buying that one as well!
Cheers
Whirls
Ron Newman's book "Helicopters will take you anywhere" is a good book for those starting out. Its written in a straight forward practical style.
Available here: http://www.skylines.com.au/index.php?subheading=21
Available here: http://www.skylines.com.au/index.php?subheading=21
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Cyclic and Collective contains all the material from Art and Science, plus a lot more bad jokes (and about 30% more material, plus bigger print size...).
I only wish I made as much money on Art and Science as I see some of the older editions go for on various used book shops...
Phil Croucher's books (and upcoming course) covers all the non-flight mechanics things very very well. Wagtendonk is also pretty good for the piston engine machines (as there are some differences with turbines). Nice diagrams and good explanations.
I only wish I made as much money on Art and Science as I see some of the older editions go for on various used book shops...
Phil Croucher's books (and upcoming course) covers all the non-flight mechanics things very very well. Wagtendonk is also pretty good for the piston engine machines (as there are some differences with turbines). Nice diagrams and good explanations.
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Thank you Shawn! Actually I like the bad jokes! Even the self-deprecating footnotes!
However, it sounds as if I had better source an old Art & Science anyway; it may be collector's item and a worthy investment!
Cheers
Whirls
However, it sounds as if I had better source an old Art & Science anyway; it may be collector's item and a worthy investment!
Cheers
Whirls
A very good book....Helicopter Combat Ops
I just finished reading "Chopper" by Robert E. Dorr and found it very interesting reading. It is a collection of personal accounts by various pilots from WWII to The War on Terror.
One account of a Vietnam combat flight in a Cobra by Ken Whitley and Robert Cashon is absolutely riveting! They along with their their Scout Pilot, Rod Barber recount the flight where the Cobra gets hit by ground fire, loses all fore/aft cyclic and only retained very slight lateral cyclic control but ultimately made a safe landing at Song Be, a 1st AirCav base camp. The explanation of how they figured out a way to control the aircraft while close to the ground in bad weather, coordinate assistance from an Air Foce FAC aircraft in locating Song Be really shows what a good crew can do under extreme stress.
Those Cats used up eight of their nine lives on that one flight!
One account of a Vietnam combat flight in a Cobra by Ken Whitley and Robert Cashon is absolutely riveting! They along with their their Scout Pilot, Rod Barber recount the flight where the Cobra gets hit by ground fire, loses all fore/aft cyclic and only retained very slight lateral cyclic control but ultimately made a safe landing at Song Be, a 1st AirCav base camp. The explanation of how they figured out a way to control the aircraft while close to the ground in bad weather, coordinate assistance from an Air Foce FAC aircraft in locating Song Be really shows what a good crew can do under extreme stress.
Those Cats used up eight of their nine lives on that one flight!
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The book on whole has some amazing stories, this one in perticular leave's you very impressed with the skill of the crew.
I'm sure everyone has also read the infamous "Chicken-Hawk" by Robert Mason. If not....then this is a must for any pilot or helicopter lover, It's a fantastic first hand account of the Vietnam War from a Pilot in the 1st Cav.
I'm sure everyone has also read the infamous "Chicken-Hawk" by Robert Mason. If not....then this is a must for any pilot or helicopter lover, It's a fantastic first hand account of the Vietnam War from a Pilot in the 1st Cav.
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Some more good reads for rotorheads:
Aeroscouts, by Charles Holley
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671760556
Dustoff, by Michael J. Novosel (MOH winner, former WW2 B29 pilot!)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0891418024
War Pilot, by Richard C. Kirkland (WW2 fighter pilot who switched to choppers)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345458125
All good reads.
Aeroscouts, by Charles Holley
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0671760556
Dustoff, by Michael J. Novosel (MOH winner, former WW2 B29 pilot!)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0891418024
War Pilot, by Richard C. Kirkland (WW2 fighter pilot who switched to choppers)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345458125
All good reads.
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re: Chickenhawk
I have done some flying with a guy that, while flying helicopters in Vietnam, came to know - or at least indirectly know of - the author of Chickenhawk. The story I got is that it's somewhat more of a collection of war stories that in some cases happened to people *other* than the author, rather than a pure autobiography.
I have no way of determining whether this is true or not, but I respect the pilot that told me these things and thought it was worth a post. FWIW I thoroughly enjoyed the book when I read it many years ago.
cheers,
Dave Blevins
I have no way of determining whether this is true or not, but I respect the pilot that told me these things and thought it was worth a post. FWIW I thoroughly enjoyed the book when I read it many years ago.
cheers,
Dave Blevins
Even if Chicken Hawk was just a collection of stories (or not?) that wouldn't stop it being a terrific read, and a very well informed and written book.
I knew one pilot who wanted to try the "Spinning around in a Field" trick after reading it!
After I read it, I often thought of what it might have been like on those missions, as I flew many times in a -1H, but no in combat!
A good tribute even if it turns out to be a composite story.
I knew one pilot who wanted to try the "Spinning around in a Field" trick after reading it!
After I read it, I often thought of what it might have been like on those missions, as I flew many times in a -1H, but no in combat!
A good tribute even if it turns out to be a composite story.
As to Mason's accounts in "Chickenhawk"...a fellow that shared the cockpit with him literally "spits" when he sees the man at the VHPA conventions. It is fore sure a "collection" of other's experiences. He does write a good book until he gets around to singing the "O Poor Me!" chorus at the end.
Mason flew for the 1st Cav in late 65 then was transferred to the 48th Bluestars in '66.
Mason flew for the 1st Cav in late 65 then was transferred to the 48th Bluestars in '66.
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For me 'Low Level Hell' is an excellent book, i will go so far as to say...way better than 'ChickenHawk'. I think the author was called Mills. It tells the story of a little bird pilot and some of the accounts are very gripping.
ISBN 0-425-20273-9 published by the Berkley Books Group
I also finished "Beyond Band of Brothers" by Dick Winters.
Add that one to your list.....he was the main character in the PBS special "Band of Brothers". I read it in one go....could not put it down.
I also finished "Beyond Band of Brothers" by Dick Winters.
Add that one to your list.....he was the main character in the PBS special "Band of Brothers". I read it in one go....could not put it down.