Good books on aviation
 

would like a few good books to read on aviation, preferably not books that talk about the past like 1950-2000

Can,t help you there mate…. all the good books were written in the 50ties and 60ties.

Yup... I knew I was getting old when the Formula 1 world champion was born in the 1990s!!!

Very good especially if you're thinking of being a Commercial aviator one day....

A Canadian source for aviation books is aviationworld.net

Good Books
 

Last of the Bush Pilots Harmon Helmericks
The Flying North Jean Potter
Winging It! Jack Jefford
Fate Is the Hunter Ernest K. Gann
Song of the Sky Guy Murchie

So I guess no one knew anything about flying before the year 2000?

I'm not one for reading other pilots' experiences, so the books below are all theory based. Some of them are contemporary, while others you'll have to dig deep for. Not exactly light reading...

Mechanics of Flight by AC Kermode
Flight Without Formula by AC Kermode
Flight Discipline by Tony Kern
Redefining Airmanship by Tony Kern
Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche
Handling the Big Jets by David P. Davies
Flight Physics by E. Torenbeek and H.Wittenberg

Not in your time frame but "Slide Rule" by Neville Shute Norway, or Neville Shute as he is better known, it will open your eyes to not only the early days of aviation, but aviation in Canada, and our conection to airships, you might have problems trying to find a copy, but if you do find one you will understand why I recomend it! His non -aviation books are also great reading!

I found Chickenhawk by Robert Mason quite a good read.

Clunck

I have to agree with you. I have his complete works and all are wonderful reads, in particular his works on aviation.

Fate is The Hunter
 

You say you dont want the old books....

Fate is The Hunter was written in the 50s but its lessons are still stunning and still apply.

It should be compulsory reading for any ATP(L) holder.

Yobbo, whilst flying the heavy metal, rarely was I without a copy of at least one of his books. What a life he had! Aircraft designer,{All way ahead designes, with retracting gear, at a time when others said it couldnt be done!} company owner, {Airspeed, which became Hawker and BAC} Pilot, Author, Airship builder/designer/ crewman , Special weapons engineer in WW2, and a great story teller, few have come close to his life achievments. His books and stories contain lessons about ethics in buisiness that should be taken to heart by many of our "bottom line" managers today!

Have read some of the books mentioned by +TSRA (Flight Discipline, Redefining Airmanship, Stick and Rudder, and Handling the Big Jets) and can endorse the recommendation. One online source I can recommend, too, is See How It Flies by John S. Denker.

Justagigolo, I beg to differ, I havnt met anyone who has come into contact with Chuck who "thinks he is a dick", however, those who have had the privilage of meeting him tend to be in awe of this guy who went from "seat of the pants" to glass cockpits and "Airbus Logic" Seeing your response I doubt that you fan club would need any more than a phone booth in which to hold their AGM, Regards, Clunck.

Clunk, I was not referring to chuck the man, never met him, but rather chuck the poster. Every thread he is involved in it seems, descends into an ageism twisting of words. It is so monotonous and boring to see words twisted to get into a debate of the good old days vs the ridiculous pilot views of today all the time. Its why people tired of him at avcanada and turned on him. I would rather he share his experience for everyone else to learn from that vast experience and not have to sift through the teenage nonsense.

I will be in Ontario this summer with my motorhome Clunk and plan on dropping by to visit with you and your wife.

As far as posters thinking I am a dick that really doesn't bother me in the least.

I just consider where it is coming from.....in that case it was a anonymous who knows who it is, sitting behind a computer keyboard. :ok:

The O.P. wrote the above.

The O.P. has been asking for advice about learning to fly here over and over.

My comment ( So I guess no one knew anything about flying before the year 2000? ) was meant to point out that aviation did not start in the year 2000.

Of course some here will not be able to connect the dots.

The OP's prior posting has nothing to do with this thread. He was asking about books that are on the subject of modern aviation, there are many. You alone attempted to turn it into an ageism debate.:D :ugh:

Moving along, Elvis, are you looking for military or civil aviation books?

@armchairflyer
 

i found that really helpful thanks. The slipping maneuver and stalls are a lot clearer than it used to be

+TSRA
 

Mechanics of flight, just picked a copy from the library. Good stuff. Thanks.

Chuck Ellsworth
 

never said that man, i just want to read the newer books for now.

Justagigolo77
 

Hey gigolo your name makes me laugh :P i'm looking for good books on the principles of flight and decision making for pilots. Yeah civil aviation.

Some more "civil nonfiction GA books" formerly on my bookshelf (ordered by authors, not by preference):
Richard Collins: “Tips To Fly By”
Richard Collins & Patrick Bradley: “Confident Flying”
Paul Craig: “The Killing Zone”
Howard Fried: “Beyond the Checkride”

Good Bye Mickey Mouse - Len Deighton. Got me though a summer flying on Great Bear lake.

Fate is the Hunter definitely.

:ok:

And right behind Mickey Mouse is Bomber…same author…a day and night with a fictitious Lanc crew and a German village…gripping.

Available on kindle. Absolutely brilliant autobiography. :ok:

elvispilot, perhaps you might appreciate the local flavour of by Ronald Keith.

This book was lent to me by a friend and it is a marvellous tale of aviation pioneering in Canada! Hunt around a bit more on the web and you can find used copies for just a couple of dollars.

Thumbs up for Tony Kern Books. Also loved "Fate is the Hunter".

Non-fiction: How Airliners Fly; Fiction: The Damocles Plot, Flight 935 Do You Read, The Sommerville Case. All by Julien Evans, all available on Kindle.

Just finished a great book written by a B17 pilot who compleated his full tour of 35 ops, its called "The Wrong Stuff", an unusual writing style with some truly amazing tales of courage and survival.

Thud Ridge by Colonel Jack Broughton

Fly The Wing by Jim Webb. Originally published in 1971, an updated edition complete with CD ROM is still available. If you are aiming for an ATP/ATR, this book is a "must read", as it covers aerodynamic aspects other books miss.