Book recommendations, (Flying stories)
That brings us back to Richard Bach I think.
I'd certainly second Whirly's suggestion of "A gift of wings" which I think is the best bit of aviation writing I've ever come across.
Alternatively, his "Stranger to the ground" is a wonderful story about flying an old biplane across the USA.
Propellerhead also I think is a great read about learning to fly in the UK.
But of them all, I'd still go with "A gift of wings" as the most supreme bit of writing.
G
I'd certainly second Whirly's suggestion of "A gift of wings" which I think is the best bit of aviation writing I've ever come across.
Alternatively, his "Stranger to the ground" is a wonderful story about flying an old biplane across the USA.
Propellerhead also I think is a great read about learning to fly in the UK.
But of them all, I'd still go with "A gift of wings" as the most supreme bit of writing.
G
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: england
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Someone has to like Richard Bach's writing I suppose. I find it over sentimental, gushing in a very American way and, well.... almost unreadable Totally vomit inducing in fact.
After that I don't suppose anyone will be interested in my proposal but try 'Airymouse' by Harald Penrose. Your Wife would approve given her suggestion.
After that I don't suppose anyone will be interested in my proposal but try 'Airymouse' by Harald Penrose. Your Wife would approve given her suggestion.
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: England
Age: 77
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think that's the same "Stranger to the Ground" that I've read. The one I have read is about flying an F-84 from England to France at Christmas time.
A wonderfully evocative book.
A wonderfully evocative book.
I clicked on the link to this thread whilst looking at my copy of 'Fate is the Hunter' which (I promise you this is true) is sat on my coffee table not 3 feet from me, planning to write something about this truly magnificent book (not quite finished it, but compellling reading).
Then I read the post and decided that maybe its not the best suggestion.
Imagine my surprise (now there's an expression you don't hear much these days, much to my chagrin), to read it in the first response.
Classic.
Trainee PPL - read it. Anyone else - read it. Great book.
Then I read the post and decided that maybe its not the best suggestion.
Imagine my surprise (now there's an expression you don't hear much these days, much to my chagrin), to read it in the first response.
Classic.
Trainee PPL - read it. Anyone else - read it. Great book.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: England
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Propellor head is a great book covering the journey and the pain and joy to be had from getting a licence.
Theres another book Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck about two boys crossing america in a Cub they built themselves at the age of 16. Very inspiring book.
I loved Fate is the Hunter (but maybe a little hard core). I especially remember him landing a DC3? in IMC with the captain lighting matches in front of his face to improve his concentration.
I never got on with Richard Bachs stuff.
A book I enjoyed years ago was Chuck Yeagers biography 'Yeager'.
Non of these are about delightful touring in relaxed comfort though. More camping on a motorbike and back to roots style.
Theres another book Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck about two boys crossing america in a Cub they built themselves at the age of 16. Very inspiring book.
I loved Fate is the Hunter (but maybe a little hard core). I especially remember him landing a DC3? in IMC with the captain lighting matches in front of his face to improve his concentration.
I never got on with Richard Bachs stuff.
A book I enjoyed years ago was Chuck Yeagers biography 'Yeager'.
Non of these are about delightful touring in relaxed comfort though. More camping on a motorbike and back to roots style.
Last edited by 18greens; 1st Dec 2007 at 10:04.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Bath, England
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"The Pre-Astronauts, Manned Ballooning on the Threshold of Space" by Craig Ryan.
Its about the high altitude balloon flights made in the 1950's & 60s in the run-up to the space programme. Gripping stuff, including Joe Kittinger's 103,000 ft parachute jump.
Unfortunately its out of print, but its available through abebooks.co.uk etc.
Incidentally there's a programme about the atmosphere being shown at 7pm BBC2 tomorrow (sunday) night including a bit about Kittinger's jump. The programme has already been shown on Discovery & is supposed to be good.
Dave
Its about the high altitude balloon flights made in the 1950's & 60s in the run-up to the space programme. Gripping stuff, including Joe Kittinger's 103,000 ft parachute jump.
Unfortunately its out of print, but its available through abebooks.co.uk etc.
Incidentally there's a programme about the atmosphere being shown at 7pm BBC2 tomorrow (sunday) night including a bit about Kittinger's jump. The programme has already been shown on Discovery & is supposed to be good.
Dave
That was already on Tuesday on BBC 2. Repeat tomorrow. That high altitude balloon jump was awesome. Maybe one day... 
or check:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81gn2...eature=related
Troy.
or check:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81gn2...eature=related
Troy.
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 3,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Whirley
"A Gift of Wings" by Richard Bach...a book about the sheer joy of being airborne. He'll love it!
Here's a quote at random....
"When these people talk about why they fly and the way they think about airplanes, not one of them mentions travel....Those are not really so important and not the central reason that brings men and women into the sky. They talk, when we get to know them, of friendship and joy and of beauty and love and of living, of really living, firsthand, with the rain and the wind".
One of my favourite books. Time I got off PPRuNe and started re-reading it.
Here's a quote at random....
"When these people talk about why they fly and the way they think about airplanes, not one of them mentions travel....Those are not really so important and not the central reason that brings men and women into the sky. They talk, when we get to know them, of friendship and joy and of beauty and love and of living, of really living, firsthand, with the rain and the wind".
One of my favourite books. Time I got off PPRuNe and started re-reading it.
Bach has written a few god books and some turkeys (Jonathan seagull, and the wierd books). But 'Gift' is just wonderful.
I'd also recommend Penrose's 'Airymouse'.
But touring.... well, that's not such an inspirational subject as the pure joy of flying. Probably why if there are any such books, I can't think of one right now.
SSD
Try some aviation fiction as well
Any of Brian Lecombers novels and for a really good read Gavin Lyall's "The most dangerous game". First adult book I ever read, re-read so many times since I have lost count.
Fate is the Hunter was my recommendation to a friend who's father flew Lancastrians over the atlantic after the war. Marks out of 10 from his father 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chickenhawk also gets my vote.
Any of Brian Lecombers novels and for a really good read Gavin Lyall's "The most dangerous game". First adult book I ever read, re-read so many times since I have lost count.
Fate is the Hunter was my recommendation to a friend who's father flew Lancastrians over the atlantic after the war. Marks out of 10 from his father 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chickenhawk also gets my vote.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Shippon, UK
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Three excellent WW2 books are:
The Big Show by Pierre Clostermann
I flew for the Fuhrer by Heinz Knoke
Lancaster to Berlin by Walter Thomposn
Fantastic story of what is possible in a light aircraft
The Flight of the Mew Gull by Alex Henshaw
Lovely stories of the sheer joy of flying
Flying for fun by Jack Parham
Happy Landings by Group Captain Edward Mole
heartily agree with the recommendations of Lecomber, Chickenhawk and FITH etc
The Big Show by Pierre Clostermann
I flew for the Fuhrer by Heinz Knoke
Lancaster to Berlin by Walter Thomposn
Fantastic story of what is possible in a light aircraft
The Flight of the Mew Gull by Alex Henshaw
Lovely stories of the sheer joy of flying
Flying for fun by Jack Parham
Happy Landings by Group Captain Edward Mole
heartily agree with the recommendations of Lecomber, Chickenhawk and FITH etc
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Hellfire Corner
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What I probably ought to have added to my vote for Flight of the Gin Fizz was that it's written by a chap who learns to fly when not in the first flush of youth, is deaf and has to work out a way of effective communicating in the aeroplane and who then uses his Certificate (American) to great effect.
It's a well-told tale of personal achievement on several levels, with the 'touring' box also ticked.
I commend it to you all, to go with all our other favourites...
It's a well-told tale of personal achievement on several levels, with the 'touring' box also ticked.
I commend it to you all, to go with all our other favourites...
Last edited by ChampChump; 6th Dec 2007 at 21:42. Reason: Careless proof-reading
Couldonlyaffordafiver
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: The Twilight Zone near 30W
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure if he's written any books but Bernard Chabbert's articles are always beautifully written. Particularly since English isn't his first language.
One more vote for Richard Bach 'A gift of wings', although his cross country wanderings in old biplanes might be more described as touring in only moderate discomfort.
Captures better than anything else I have read why we (or at least I) fly.
Captures better than anything else I have read why we (or at least I) fly.
Registered User **
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Age: 52
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chickenhawk is a great read...honest, open and gives a real insight into what these guys faced in Vietnam.
Personally, I'd like to compile a safety related book for PPL pilots. I'm a new PPL and "lap up" pearls of wisdom from those who have experienced interesting situations and walked away.
Maybe worth a new thread....any takers?
Best,
Sicknote
Personally, I'd like to compile a safety related book for PPL pilots. I'm a new PPL and "lap up" pearls of wisdom from those who have experienced interesting situations and walked away.
Maybe worth a new thread....any takers?
Best,
Sicknote
I recently bought a second hand copy of a book titled "They Called it Pilot Error". Although written by an Amercian with an agenda which is not to my taste, if you see past that, it's full of educational fictionalised stories of how real GA pilots managed to kill themselves. Mostly, the disease seems to be pressonitis although there are some quite barking ones as well (for example, a group of Good Ol' Boys, tanked on booze crash and die while trying to shoot birds while flying).
Being newly started on PPL training, I would be grateful for other suggestions of educational but readable stuff to complement the emotional delights of Richard Bach et al.
Being newly started on PPL training, I would be grateful for other suggestions of educational but readable stuff to complement the emotional delights of Richard Bach et al.
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One of myfavourites in the educational but readable category is "The Naked Pilot", by David Beatty. The best book ever written on the role of human factors in aviation accidents, IMHO.
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Swindon, Wilts,UK
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cloud Cuckooland - Harald Penrose
The Cannibal Queen - Steven Coonts
Flying for Fun, I can't off hand remember the Author but it was an autobiographical tale of an army officer between the wars who bought an Aeronca C3 IIRC, It was made into a film by Channel 4 circa 1989.
The Lonely Sea and the Sky by Sir Francis Chichester.
You Want To Build And Fly A What??? by Dick Starks.
Edited to add That 'A gift of wings' has a very good bibliography which led me to the works of Ernest K Gann, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Bert Stiles 'Serenade to the Big Bird' so to me it was worth it's weight in gold just for that.
The Cannibal Queen - Steven Coonts
Flying for Fun, I can't off hand remember the Author but it was an autobiographical tale of an army officer between the wars who bought an Aeronca C3 IIRC, It was made into a film by Channel 4 circa 1989.
The Lonely Sea and the Sky by Sir Francis Chichester.
You Want To Build And Fly A What??? by Dick Starks.
Edited to add That 'A gift of wings' has a very good bibliography which led me to the works of Ernest K Gann, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Bert Stiles 'Serenade to the Big Bird' so to me it was worth it's weight in gold just for that.
Last edited by Windy Militant; 7th Dec 2007 at 14:19.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Although it focuses primary on gliding I would highly reccomend 'The Platypus Papers' by Mike Bird. The book is an amalgamation of anecdotes written in his regular column 'Tailfeathers' in Sailplane and Gliding magazing. One of the most hilarious aviation-related books I've had the pleasure to read.
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: London
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two books I'm happy to highly recommend - very different but both excellent.
Hot off the press ........
The Wind Beneath my Wings - John Hutchinson, Concorde Pilot
Published by Speedman Press.
I've posted a review here: http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...rde-pilot.html
IMHO, a 'must read' for anyone interested in aviation generally and Concorde in particular.
It's the best aviation book I've read since ........
A View from the Hover: My Life in Aviation
by John Farley
Published by Seager Publishing
Not only a very readable account of the career of one of our most distinguished and highly respected test pilots but a fascinating insight into an exciting era of aviation history.
As we've often seen in various PPRuNe forums, John has the rare gift of being able to explain the most technical matters in a way that can be understood even by those who, like me, are not naturally technically minded.
It concludes with highly informative thoughts for GA pilots - guaranteed to improve the flying skills of even the most experienced PPL.
If you missed the first edition, the second is now available. (They are the same except for some minor corrections and indexing changes.)
FL
Hot off the press ........
The Wind Beneath my Wings - John Hutchinson, Concorde Pilot
Published by Speedman Press.
I've posted a review here: http://www.pprune.org/aviation-histo...rde-pilot.html
IMHO, a 'must read' for anyone interested in aviation generally and Concorde in particular.
It's the best aviation book I've read since ........
A View from the Hover: My Life in Aviation
by John Farley
Published by Seager Publishing
Not only a very readable account of the career of one of our most distinguished and highly respected test pilots but a fascinating insight into an exciting era of aviation history.
As we've often seen in various PPRuNe forums, John has the rare gift of being able to explain the most technical matters in a way that can be understood even by those who, like me, are not naturally technically minded.
It concludes with highly informative thoughts for GA pilots - guaranteed to improve the flying skills of even the most experienced PPL.
If you missed the first edition, the second is now available. (They are the same except for some minor corrections and indexing changes.)
FL
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 2nd Jul 2011 at 18:16.