Aviation Books.....Must Read Tomes!
"Not A Good Day To Die" by Sean Naylor ISBN 0-425-19609-7
"In The Company Of Heroes" by Michael Durant ISBN 0-451-21060-3
Both are very good accounts of helicopter warfare. Naylor's book is actually an accounting of the Operation Anaconda but includes a lot of helicoptrer pilot accounts and operations while telling the big story of the battle.
"In The Company Of Heroes" by Michael Durant ISBN 0-451-21060-3
Both are very good accounts of helicopter warfare. Naylor's book is actually an accounting of the Operation Anaconda but includes a lot of helicoptrer pilot accounts and operations while telling the big story of the battle.
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Another good book...but I may be biased
My name if Randolph P. Mains. I wrote a book in 1992 that was published by Avon Books entitled Dear Mom I'm Alive--Letters Home from Blackwidow 25. It sold over 18,000 copies. Unfortunately it is our of print but the second edition can be found and ordered at Trafford.com. If you go to Amazon.com I think they can find copies, too.
I am currently working at Abu Dhabi Aviation. I would estimate that over 100 or so of the pilots here have read the book and have given it good reviews. Several have purchased more than on copy. One pilot, a New Zealander, purchased ten copies to give to family members and friends. I figure, if I can please my fellow helicopter pilots with a book written about helicopters that is an excellent endorsement for the book. It is certainly a vote of confidence I am very proud of.
The book is not a Rambo story and I didn't write it to be one. I wrote it to give those interested in what it was like for one helicopter pilot over there. The book details my one-year tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, Charlie Company Blackwidows from October 68-69. I am very proud to say that it is currently being optioned to be made into a movie. Filming is set to begin sometime in 2011 in Hawaii. I asked the production company if I could do some of the flying and they said I wasn't going to get off that easily, that they want me to be the Technical Advisor on the film. Letters from Black Widow 25 is currently in script development by 500 Sheets Productions. If you are interested, check out 500sheetsproductions.com a website dedicated to the movie which is in the early stages of development.
I got the idea for the book when, in 1988, my Mom gave me all the letters I had written to her during my one-year tour over there. We used to have a name for the letters we wrote home calling them "I'm Alive" letters. That is because what was important about them wasn't the content of what we said in them. What was important was that on that date the family knew you were alive. That was their true value.
I was working as a helicopter pilot for the Royal Oman Police at the time so I re-read those letters on my long flight back from Southern California to the Middle East. When I re-read them I realized they didn't say what I was really doing over there because I knew that if I told the family the real story they would have freaked out.
I wrote the 260-page book with each chapter representing one month over there in my twelve-month tour. I have included the letters sent home as they were written at that time of that month, for example, if the letter was written on the 15th of August 1969 I inserted it in the middle of that chapter.
I estimate that probably 85 or 90 percent of the book is the real story I couldn't tell them about so the book reads like two stories in one, the letters home as I wrote them, and the true story I couldn't tell them at the time.
When asked by the production company to give them a sentence to sum up the real meaning and essence of the book (such a sentence is called high concept) I came up with this:
Dear Mom I'm Alive is the story of a politically naive but extremely patriotic young Army helicopter pilot who is trying to make it through his one-year tour in Vietnam alive with his humanity and humor in tact.
Like I said, it is not a Rambo story. I did fly 1042 combat hours over there. I was awarded the DFC and 27 air medals and the bronze star medal. If you read the book you will see that the Army and I were not suited. I loved the flying but on the ground I was what could be termed being "route step" which means walking out of step with the others.
If any of you do have an opportunity to read the book I sincerely hope that you enjoy it. I can only say that others have and, as they are mostly my peers who have read it, all equally experienced as I am, I consider that the best endorcement I could receive.
If you have any comments you may contact me at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.
Randolph P. Mains.
I am currently working at Abu Dhabi Aviation. I would estimate that over 100 or so of the pilots here have read the book and have given it good reviews. Several have purchased more than on copy. One pilot, a New Zealander, purchased ten copies to give to family members and friends. I figure, if I can please my fellow helicopter pilots with a book written about helicopters that is an excellent endorsement for the book. It is certainly a vote of confidence I am very proud of.
The book is not a Rambo story and I didn't write it to be one. I wrote it to give those interested in what it was like for one helicopter pilot over there. The book details my one-year tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, Charlie Company Blackwidows from October 68-69. I am very proud to say that it is currently being optioned to be made into a movie. Filming is set to begin sometime in 2011 in Hawaii. I asked the production company if I could do some of the flying and they said I wasn't going to get off that easily, that they want me to be the Technical Advisor on the film. Letters from Black Widow 25 is currently in script development by 500 Sheets Productions. If you are interested, check out 500sheetsproductions.com a website dedicated to the movie which is in the early stages of development.
I got the idea for the book when, in 1988, my Mom gave me all the letters I had written to her during my one-year tour over there. We used to have a name for the letters we wrote home calling them "I'm Alive" letters. That is because what was important about them wasn't the content of what we said in them. What was important was that on that date the family knew you were alive. That was their true value.
I was working as a helicopter pilot for the Royal Oman Police at the time so I re-read those letters on my long flight back from Southern California to the Middle East. When I re-read them I realized they didn't say what I was really doing over there because I knew that if I told the family the real story they would have freaked out.
I wrote the 260-page book with each chapter representing one month over there in my twelve-month tour. I have included the letters sent home as they were written at that time of that month, for example, if the letter was written on the 15th of August 1969 I inserted it in the middle of that chapter.
I estimate that probably 85 or 90 percent of the book is the real story I couldn't tell them about so the book reads like two stories in one, the letters home as I wrote them, and the true story I couldn't tell them at the time.
When asked by the production company to give them a sentence to sum up the real meaning and essence of the book (such a sentence is called high concept) I came up with this:
Dear Mom I'm Alive is the story of a politically naive but extremely patriotic young Army helicopter pilot who is trying to make it through his one-year tour in Vietnam alive with his humanity and humor in tact.
Like I said, it is not a Rambo story. I did fly 1042 combat hours over there. I was awarded the DFC and 27 air medals and the bronze star medal. If you read the book you will see that the Army and I were not suited. I loved the flying but on the ground I was what could be termed being "route step" which means walking out of step with the others.
If any of you do have an opportunity to read the book I sincerely hope that you enjoy it. I can only say that others have and, as they are mostly my peers who have read it, all equally experienced as I am, I consider that the best endorcement I could receive.
If you have any comments you may contact me at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.
Randolph P. Mains.
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Hello SASless,
Randy flew with Bond Helicopters when I knew him. That was during the period 1990 to around 2001 when he left for a job in Alaska IIRC.
As for the thread, I have recently read "North SAR" by Gerry Carrol (it's introduced by Tom Clancy). Very good read.
I tried reading a copy of "Apache Dawn" whilst at OAKB recently and couldn't get into it.
The style of writing wasn't appealing for me.
I'm about to have a read of the book written by Randy Mains. If his character is anything to go by, it'll be a good read for sure!
SS.
Randy flew with Bond Helicopters when I knew him. That was during the period 1990 to around 2001 when he left for a job in Alaska IIRC.
As for the thread, I have recently read "North SAR" by Gerry Carrol (it's introduced by Tom Clancy). Very good read.
I tried reading a copy of "Apache Dawn" whilst at OAKB recently and couldn't get into it.
The style of writing wasn't appealing for me.
I'm about to have a read of the book written by Randy Mains. If his character is anything to go by, it'll be a good read for sure!
SS.
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For all german speaking (or reading, of course) pilots i can suggest:
"Der Spaßpilot", written by Harry Grunewald.
Der Spaßpilot: Ein Fliegerleben als Pilot bei der Bundeswehr: Amazon.de: Harry Grunewald: Bücher
Harry was a pilot within German Armed Forces and has written this book after his retirement from the army.
He writes down all his flying adventures-from helicopter basic training to his last flight in a helicopter..
Unfortunately it is only available in German....
I will try to contact him and see if he is going to have it translated into english some day...
I am looking for books about commercial helicopter operations in the 1990´s - 2010´s.....or about books from pilots like the "Ass monkeys" (Blackwater Aviation-Presidential Airways in Iraq/Afghanistan)...
Any suggestions?
"Der Spaßpilot", written by Harry Grunewald.
Der Spaßpilot: Ein Fliegerleben als Pilot bei der Bundeswehr: Amazon.de: Harry Grunewald: Bücher
Harry was a pilot within German Armed Forces and has written this book after his retirement from the army.
He writes down all his flying adventures-from helicopter basic training to his last flight in a helicopter..
Unfortunately it is only available in German....
I will try to contact him and see if he is going to have it translated into english some day...
I am looking for books about commercial helicopter operations in the 1990´s - 2010´s.....or about books from pilots like the "Ass monkeys" (Blackwater Aviation-Presidential Airways in Iraq/Afghanistan)...
Any suggestions?
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I finished up the "Apache" from Ed Macy, it was fine, in my humble opinion, could be better in some parts, but it was telling the story as it was, so it was fine. I now started to read "Low Level Hell: a Scout Pilot in the Big Red One" by Hugh Mills, the three chapters I read until now seem interesting. I still have here "Snake Pilot: Flying the Cobra Attack Helicopter in Vietnam" by Randy Zahn, but by the way it looks it goes along with the lines of Low Level Hell.
Hammerheads by Dale Brown
One very good read is "Hammerheads" by Dale Brown. a great novel about drugs counter insurgency in the US. It features the use of the V22 Osprey very much and goes into some detail about the aircraft. The funny thing is that the book was first published in 1990 and may well be out of print now.
Hammerheads was one of Dale Browns early novels and was very good. He seemed to use plots which appeared in print several years before something similar happened in reality. In the mid 1990's he wrote a book called "Storming Heaven" which as far as I can recall was about hi-jacking Airliners and crashing them into American cities!
His later novels were not so good and tended to be little more than Sci - Fi.
He was written up as an Ex USAF air force captain on B 52's and F111's.
Tigerfish
Hammerheads was one of Dale Browns early novels and was very good. He seemed to use plots which appeared in print several years before something similar happened in reality. In the mid 1990's he wrote a book called "Storming Heaven" which as far as I can recall was about hi-jacking Airliners and crashing them into American cities!
His later novels were not so good and tended to be little more than Sci - Fi.
He was written up as an Ex USAF air force captain on B 52's and F111's.
Tigerfish
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A book about Chinooks
For all the 'Hookers' out there in the USA and anyone else interested in the CH47, there is a great book out in hardback right now called 'Immediate Response' by Major Mark Hammond DFC RM, a Royal Marine pilot on exchange with the RAF Chinook force. He previously flew attack helos including a tour on Whiskey Cobras for the US Marines.
The book is not really about Hammond, more about the RAF Chinook force and the work the cabs and crews are doing in Afghansitan, especially in the medical immediate response role. It is a very gritty read with plenty of realism, I know as I have have done 6 tours out there too!
Worth buying now, or waiting until March when it comes out in paperback.
You can get it from Amazon.com: Immediate Response (9780718154745): Mark Hammond: Books in the US
and Immediate Response: Amazon.co.uk: Mark Hammond: Books in the UK.
The paperback pre-order in UK is:
Immediate Response: Amazon.co.uk: Mark Hammond: Books
Sorry to shamelessly plug it, but he is a mate and the work being done by the Chinook force in Afghanistan is amazing - along with all the amazing work being done by everyone else in that country!
The book is not really about Hammond, more about the RAF Chinook force and the work the cabs and crews are doing in Afghansitan, especially in the medical immediate response role. It is a very gritty read with plenty of realism, I know as I have have done 6 tours out there too!
Worth buying now, or waiting until March when it comes out in paperback.
You can get it from Amazon.com: Immediate Response (9780718154745): Mark Hammond: Books in the US
and Immediate Response: Amazon.co.uk: Mark Hammond: Books in the UK.
The paperback pre-order in UK is:
Immediate Response: Amazon.co.uk: Mark Hammond: Books
Sorry to shamelessly plug it, but he is a mate and the work being done by the Chinook force in Afghanistan is amazing - along with all the amazing work being done by everyone else in that country!
Just reminds one of what a machine the old girls are....from Vietnam....the Falklands when BN did its thing....Iraq and Afghanistan....and on till the middle of this century no doubt!
No doubt the people are a part of the equation and we all share that love for the horses that carried us into battle!
No doubt the people are a part of the equation and we all share that love for the horses that carried us into battle!
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"Low Level Hell: a Scout Pilot in the Big Red One" by Hugh Mills
I read this a couple of weeks ago - a truly amazing read that keeps flying in AFG firmly in perspective for me - one of the OH6 pilots got shot down 3 times in one day for gods sake (careless surely!). The honours for Gallantry that were racked up by Mr Mills beggars belief. I strongly recommend this one.
JTobias - thanks for reviewing 'Immediate Response' - glad you enjoyed it. I believe some of the profit is going to H4H too, a very worthy cause along with all the other worthy causes out there!
I read this a couple of weeks ago - a truly amazing read that keeps flying in AFG firmly in perspective for me - one of the OH6 pilots got shot down 3 times in one day for gods sake (careless surely!). The honours for Gallantry that were racked up by Mr Mills beggars belief. I strongly recommend this one.
JTobias - thanks for reviewing 'Immediate Response' - glad you enjoyed it. I believe some of the profit is going to H4H too, a very worthy cause along with all the other worthy causes out there!
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Mmmm ...
....... Yes I saw it, thanks. Much appreciated. ....
Well .... then you can buy me a drink (probably at Um Shaif) next week sometime ..... Ha ha!
....... Yes I saw it, thanks. Much appreciated. ....
Well .... then you can buy me a drink (probably at Um Shaif) next week sometime ..... Ha ha!
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Mmmm ...
No mate .... but they have built some new bits just across the way on US3 so there should be 'new rust' to watch form shortly!
And the old stuff .... well you cover it with paint and its then no longer rusty ... is it ?
Take care ...
No mate .... but they have built some new bits just across the way on US3 so there should be 'new rust' to watch form shortly!
And the old stuff .... well you cover it with paint and its then no longer rusty ... is it ?
Take care ...
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Two interesting helicopter books
Just read the following:
1. How the Helicopter Changed Modern Warfare by Walter J. Boyne. Author is a former USAF pilot and noted aviation historian.
2. Black Hawk: The Story of a World Class Helicopter by Ray Leoni. Author was a program manager for Black Hawk development; may be more technical than some want to know.
Both well written IMHO and highly recommended. Available at Amazon.com
1. How the Helicopter Changed Modern Warfare by Walter J. Boyne. Author is a former USAF pilot and noted aviation historian.
2. Black Hawk: The Story of a World Class Helicopter by Ray Leoni. Author was a program manager for Black Hawk development; may be more technical than some want to know.
Both well written IMHO and highly recommended. Available at Amazon.com
Bill Black
I DID IT MY WAY is the life story of Helicopter Pilot Bill Black MBE.
Now in retirement in Te Anau Bill looks through this book reminiscing on what was a period in New Zealand aviation that the likes will never be seen again. He has been flying for 55 years and accumulated some 29,535 flying hours. Bill continues to fly in his own privately owned gyrocopter.
In 25,572 hours of flying helicopters he himself was involved in only one accident of which no blame was attributed to him. Bill was involved in over 500 search and rescue missions including over 300 mercy missions. With many presentations and accolades from many people who were thankful to Bill for saving their life. He was awarded numerous awards the greatest being the Member of the Order of the British Empire award. Which was awarded for a significant achievement and outstanding service to the community. As well as lifting literally hundreds of thousands of feral deer from the mountain tops he has lifted or salvaged over 100 aircraft and helicopters.
Those of us who have known and worked with Bill can relate his attitude with the title of this book, it is just so apt and regretfully copyright prohibits us from printing the lyrics of the tune by the same name to illustrate the point. His self determination and tenacity have prevailed throughout his career to the extent of creating a world record whereby never letting anybody else fly his dedicated helicopter. As a result the entire 13,852 hours accident free flying in New Zealand over a 22 year period in Squirrel ZK-HMY was done with one pilot namely Bill.
Bill Black’s story is a tale of a life full of fun and laughter mixed with sadness and emotion.
Bill Black’s story is a tale of a life full of fun and laughter mixed with sadness and emotion.
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Books
First there was Dennis Kenyon's Dangerous Appointment,
Now there's Bill Black's "My Way",
If we're doing books then I'd like to recommend -
James Barrington (pseudonym) a former RN helicopter pilot. Here are a couple of his titles. He's a good read.
Now there's Bill Black's "My Way",
If we're doing books then I'd like to recommend -
James Barrington (pseudonym) a former RN helicopter pilot. Here are a couple of his titles. He's a good read.
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If you prefer literature as opposed to pulp fiction then you should read 'Fate is the Hunter' by E.K. Gann and 'Wind, Sand and Stars' by St.Exupery. Incredible feats of airmanship, skill and endurance and the best of aviation literature. I envy those of you who enjoy reading but have not discovered these authors yet. Enjoy :-)