Good books and references

[donaldstan]

i'm intereted in becoming a pilot but know nothing abt aviation. are there any books/mag/websites that you guys can recommend so that i can build up some knowledge?

I'm aware of the book by Clive Hughes. any others for beginners?

Appreciate your help. cheers! :D

[FlyingForFun]

It depends what area you're interested in reading up on. If it's the actual flying that you want to read about, you could do worse than buy a copy of Trevor Thom Book 1, which is the syllabus your instructor will follow when you get your Private Pilots Licence (PPL) - the first step to becoming a commercial pilot.

Books 2, 3, 4 and 6 in the Trevor Thom series will also be useful - they give you the theoretical knowledge that you need to pass the exams which go with the PPL.

Or, if there's a specific area which interests you, let us know and I'm sure someone will know of a suitable book.

FFF
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[Field In Sight]

To Be A Pilot - David Bruford. Transair sell it.

I bought this book and it seems to cover most career paths.

Other advice:

1. As the Americans would advise "Stay in school, don't do drugs"
2. Win the lottery.
3. Get adopted by a rich family and get them to pay for your training.

Good luck.

FIS.

[redsnail]

For technical/informative websites, go to Tech log and have a look at their sticky on interesting websites.
When I get home later this week I'll post some of the technical books I use and won't let out of my sight. They form the technical library and they are worth a fortune to me. Hint, good xmas/birthday pressies.

[donaldstan]

thanks so much for your help!!!

i'm interested in what a commercial pilot needs to know so that i can get myself equipped with something before going into a flying school.

cheers...

[High Wing Drifter]

Not books, but essential reading anyway:

http://www.gapan.org/career/pilotadvice.htm

http://www.balpa.org.uk/intranet/How-to-bec/index.htm

[Autofly]

I can recommend "Handling the Big Jets" by D. P. Davies. It maybe a little advanced if you´ve not got any flying experience but i´d recommend it to any wannabe.;)

On the subject of Clive Hughes´ book, Clive has his own website you can by it from ..... and its cheaper than Transair! The address is www.ppl-atpl.demon.co.uk/

AF

[Gordon Bennet]

JAR Private Pilot Studies by Phil Croucher - Today's Pilot reviewed it favourably recently - also in Transair

Gord

[High Wing Drifter]

i'm interested in what a commercial pilot needs to know so that i can get myself equipped with something before going into a flying school.
With that in mind "Handling the Big Jets" would not, in my humble opinion, be a suitable read, it is a guide to flying big jets (747s), aerodynamics and such like. Bloody interesting but not much to do with the business of being a pilot.

Gordon has reminded me of an excellent book though: http://www.flightstore.co.uk/the_professional_pilots_manual.pilot.books/use.id.10.item_id.193/

[Autofly]

HWD, fair comment however would you not agree that while aspects such as aerodynamics are not something a commercial pilot would think of every day, it would be something they would know as a result of the ATPL ground school. (I have not done the ATPL ground school myself)

Since the book covers things like comparisons between prop and jet propulsion, I think the book is still a good read for for someone who is planning on doing a commercial course.

[donaldstan]

thanks a lot for the advice. u guys have been really helpful. i'll definitely look into those books and websites...

more recommendation....most welcomed..... ;)

[Gordon Bennet]

HWD - that book has been supeceed.. superced... replaced by Operational Flying (http://www.electrocution.com/aviation/#OF) , but it's more for after you've got your licence

As it's commercial stuff that's required, then JAR Professional Pilot Studies (http://www.electrocution.com/aviation/#JAR) is the one I should have mentioned

Gord

[High Wing Drifter]

HWD - that book has been supeceed.. superced... replaced by Operational Flying , but it's more for after you've got your licence
LOL! Agreed, I just thought it would help answer the question posed. Thanks for the pointer, I think it might be worth a purchase for me anyway :)