Product Description
This series of textbooks and supplements for pilots, student pilots, aviation instructors, and aviation specialists provides information on every topic needed to qualify for and excel in the field of aviation. Most FAA Knowledge Exams' questions are taken directly from the information presented in these texts.

This textbook presents the elements of applied aerodynamics and aeronautical engineering that directly relate to the flight training and general flight operations of naval aviators. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

aerodynamics
My son, a pilot in the U.S. military and who this book was purchased for, really appreciates this book.

Classic and still relevant
Just as I remember it 25 years ago when I began Navy Flight Training.Still a great summary of aerodynamics.

Perfect
It's a perfect book for those who wants to maximize their knowledges in Aerodynamics, and enter in an Airline.

Beginners beware, experienced members read away.
Currently we are using this book as a textbook for my Aerodynamics class. Unfortunately for me, the book itself is difficult to understand unless you have a great imagination, piloting experience, several tools at your disposal (visual aids), or a great teacher. While our teacher is knowledgeable, he doesn't have the kind of skill required to break it down. I, unfortunately, have only five hours in the air and am not a piloting major. I had to go online several times and to a dictionary several times to learn what the terms "flare", "yoke", "attitude", and so on meant. I am not conditioned in any way, shape, or form for this material and so I have a hard time understanding it. Needless to say, the piloting students in my class have a harder time understanding the equations, but they understand the text since they "go up" all the time. I, however, need to draw on my five hours and on several textbooks, online aids, plotting tools, and online wind tunnels. I also found need to buy a simplified version of this book as a guide. While the integrity of the book itself is there, it requires that some experience be had on the reader's side in order to understand it to its full extent. I also think that perhaps the manual itself should also include a glossary, but it's rather old and was created ages ago at the behest of the government. I recommend it, once again, if you have some experience or if you have time to read and re-read some portions (assuming you have little to no experience in flight) since it will help you in grasping some of the material better. Also, chapters two and chapters three should be switched around. To make any sense of two, you have to read three first.

The definitive work in pilot-oriented applied aerodynamics
Here's my very simple take on this book: if you operate (fly) airplanes of any kind, you need to have this book in your easy-to-get-to library. Period.

My only negative comment is that the current "FAA reprint version" (How did they get involved? This is not a typical "How to" FAA kind of publications!)of the original NAVOPS manual is of very poor reproduction quality. The photos and artwork look "muddy" compared to an original copy of the manual. The text is not crisp, while some of the photographs of wind tunnel demonstrations are simply not understandable unless you know already what you're looking at.

Although it was written in 1959 by Hugh Hurt of USC under contract to the U. S. Navy (and thus its copyright came into the public domain), it remains as relavant and informative today as it was when the ink was drying on the first press run! Incidentally, this same book also had a brief life as an Air Force manual, ATCM 51-3, Aerodynamics for Pilots, used by Air Training Command as a reference text in the pilot training program during the 1960s. The USAF version simply replaced the motivational photos of Navy aircraft with USAF models, but the manual was otherwise identical. It was eventually replaced by a much less rigorous edition, about one third the size and scope, that was, by comparison, almost useless. Seems that people found it too challenging, especially all that math -- a point I'll address below.

Some of the material will shed "AH-HAH!" kind of light on day-to-day routine things; other topics will inform how you ought to approach the extraordinary, whether it's a sudden weather change, or an in-flight emergency.

Not every pilot will find all chapters equally interesting. Also, experience has shown that the majority of pilots who are interested in the details of aerodynamics seem to gravitate towards the performance aspects of aircraft flight: Performance is generally easier to understand, but the real details of how the aircraft's inherent properties as seen by the pilot are only revealed in the sections on stability and control. Don't slight those chapters.

A suggestion about approach: even though you may have never flow a jet-powered aircraft and have little prospect of doing so, don't think that it's a waste of time to learn about the details of jet aircraft aerodynamics (as distinct from propeller aircraft). Why? Because it's easier to learn first about how a jet-thrust aircraft behaves without the complications such as torque, brake horsepower, etc., introduced by getting thrust from an "air screw."Once you're clear about these basics, then you will be able to understand a little easier how various performance and stability and control issues are affected by the propeller/recip combination.

Thus, the book is clearly oriented toward the operator/pilot and the things he has direct control over, or things that will affect his decisions or decision-making process, or choices of technique of how to operate his airplane. (You might be surprised to discover that a lot of techniques that are around were developed as easy-to-use compromises, needed simply because people didn't know the underlying details -- not because they're naturally the best way to do something.)

The only persistent objection to this text over the years has concerned its routine use of math, consisting basically of simple algebraic expressions, with some trig thrown in occasionally when trying to analyze things going on at some angle, such asbank or climb angles.There is also frequent use of simple graphs that show important relationships between two variables, say, angle of attack and the wing's lift coefficient.

Well, it's an accurate observation, but it's not a fair criticism -- and it's certainly not a valid reason to not use and study the text.

The book presents the derived equations, the results, obtained from other texts, whereby the pilot can see the physical terms that affect some aerodynamic terms (e.g., lift). In doing so, you also see two essential things: first, how the terms are related to one another;secondly, how changing each of them, alone or in groups, affects the airplane's overall behavior. You see, for instance, what's really going on when you operate from a high elevation airport in the summer vs. winter, how the change in density altitude affects lift, drag, engine performance, etc. Without the results-based math that this book uses, you're really guessing or relying on what other people pass along as rules of thumb.

Can you fly an airplane without knowing how to interpret the meaningof an equation?Of course. People do it every day.But: can you fully understand what you're doingwithout knowing the full scope of information that the equations are conveying? No, not really. Besides, it's a real kick to be able to visualize an equation, say of maneuvering flight, and translate that mental picture into a series of control inputs that make the aircraft do exactly what you want it to do, as you bring that mental picture into reality.

For example, once you learn to think, to visualize, in terms of knowing that an airplane's turn radius is proportional to the square of its true airspeed, you know a great deal more than the person who simply knows that as the speed increases, the turn gets bigger. If you understand the relationship between the wing's lift coefficient vs. angle of attack, you'll also have a deeper understanding of the most effective techniques for flying final approach at a given airspeed and how you might safely modify your approach for unusual conditions, such as weather or being confronted with a shorter-than-expected runway.

If you don't learn the language that conveys the details of Why the airplane behaves as it does, you're always going to feel a little uncomfortable, uneasy perhaps, just as you would if you were at a party and everyone was speaking some foreign language. This is especially true when you encounter a situation that the normal procedures -- the How of it -- were not intended to address. If you don't have this underlying understanding, you'll find yourself in a position of having to play "test pilot" -- without the benefit of the training and experience that usually goes with that title!

The last point to make concerns the book's age: it is more than 40 years old now. The short answer is that airplanes still only talk Newton and Bernoulli, etc., and those guys never get too old.The advent of the "electric airplane" hasn't changed the basic aerodynamic issues the pilot must understand. Rather, electronics largely just alters the economics of flying and has also enhanced safety considerably. Technologies such as anti-skid brakes or 3-axis autopilots have been around for over 50 years, working exactly according to the same principles then as they do today. What has changed is how much it costs to get the capability. In 1950, anti-skid braking on a military aircraft might add $50,000 to the cost of the aircraft. Today, the same system functionality is installed in cars, no less, for under $25.00! The variables (the equations) that describe stopping distance have not changed, however. For private pilots especially, e.g., the single-engine Cessna variety, the airplanes generally available to that market are much older than the book is. Even if they do have an expensive Glass Cockpit, from a performance and handling qualities standpoint a 172 is still a 60-year old airplane, no matter what the instrument panel looks like or its date of assembly.

A final comment: In my opinion, anyone who aspires to a high level of aeronautical proficiency that ultimately has safety as a major objective, anyone who wants to truly master his or her craft, needs to be able to study and learn at the level of detail and rigor presented in Hurt's technical masterpiece. It's a true classic.

... Read more

Product Description
As the Vietnam War begins to escalate in 1964, the formation of the new Air Assault Division is delayed by logistical problems and by conflicts among the men and women who comprise the fighting force. Reissue. NYT. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great for fans of Presidential Agent series
After plowing through Griffin's Presidential Agent series I needed something to hold me over until the next in the series, The Outlaws, is published.So I checked out The Aviators and was not disappointed.The protaganist, Johnny Oliver, is a lot like the presidential agent, Charlie Castillo and the story is pretty good too.If Griffin ever tires of writing about Castillo, perhaps he could resurrect Oliver.

Stretching?
I get the indication that the author is sort of reaching in an attempt to prolong this series.Better to leave it as is and go off on another track, in my opinion.

Another spectacular series of historical fiction by WEB Griffin
Just one more exciting story with familiar characters set in true historically accurate US war campaigns ranging from WWII through the Korean conflict.W.E.B. Griffin has a smooth pen, a keen sense of accuracy and characters you'd love to sit down with at a bar and discuss their experiences during their service.

Of all the books I've read by Griffin, which are too many to remember, each in a series of 7-10 books on one subject, the Scotch Whiskey which is mentioned over and over again as the drink of choice for officers and the well to do, happens to be a real brand with is relatively inexpensive and a wonderful tasting scotch.

These series are so good that each book is essentially a one sitting read and leaves you yearning for the next in the series and dreaming of how great a movie each series would be and as you read you are easily placing actors in the places of each character.A true storyteller with stories which captivate you.

The Army now flies
WEB Griffin in his never ending tale of the US Army from World War ll until about the end of the Vietnam War continues to keep you spellbound. For a series of I don't know how many books, you want him to keep writing more. Very good read. Highly Recommend.

Why did the US ever go to Vietnam
Part of a series by W E B Griffin following two main as well as many major players in their life. What I liked was being able to read out of sequence without ruining the story line, unusual for an American author isnt so gung ho on their ways. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

The sense of adventure in this marvelous book will WOW the reader!
Amelia was eleven years old when she spotted her first plane, but had no interest whatsoever in it.She was much more interested in a prize she won at the Iowa State Fair.A simple hat made from a peach basket was far more interesting.So much for the plane. It"looked like a heap of rusty wire and wood," but in a few short years something like that would utterly fascinate her.Things weren't easy for the little Earhart family.Amelia, her sister Muriel and her mother would later have to move many times.Her father drank heavily at times and her parent's rocky relationship eventually became irreparable.The moving, however, did give her a taste for adventure.

Later adventure awaited her.She worked as a nurse's aid, attended medical school, became a social worker, but then she began to notice something.She had been watching planes and soon they tugged at her heart.She wanted to fly and took lessons.An opportunity came for her to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in 1928.By that time she even owned her own plane, but this dangerous adventure would make her famous.When the pontoon plane, the "Friendship," landed in Wales there was no turning back.Flying was her destiny.She began to set records and pored over maps thinking up new adventures.Amelia had her heart set on an around the world flight.Her Lockheed Electra was demolished in Hawaii and she'd have to start over.Amelia was determined and her plane left Oakland for the second time. . .

This book fascinated me because it was very well written, exciting and there were a number of photographs I hadn't see before.The sense of adventure was evident on many of the pages.There are numerous informative sidebars, photographs and several vibrant paintings scattered throughout the book.I liked and appreciated the fact that there is a thorough index, source notes and photographic credits.There are additional recommended book, article and website resources listed in the back of the book.This is a very well done, exciting biography you might want to consider for your shelves, even if you think you know all about Amelia! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not Your Usual Personal Memoir.
"Flights Of Passage" by Samuel Hynes.Subtitled: "Reflections Of A World War II Aviator". Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, 1988.

Samuel Hynes flew for the United States Marine Corps in the Second World War.God bless him. His personal memoir follows the usual pattern for many servicemen of World War II, where an entire generation left high school, received aviation training in some forsaken Southern state, and then went overseas to fight the war. Much of his book, however, is devoted to how these individuals, this special generation,grew from teen-aged youths into mature individuals: "The Flights Of Passage".

With excellent writing, Hynes recounts his leaving his home state of Minnesota, his passion for flying that lead him into Naval Aviation and, incidentally, his encounters with different people,persons, as an example, with "...soft-slurring speech that at first we couldn't understand". Shopkeepers welcomed the Naval Pilot trainees as if they were old friends and said good-bye with "Y'all hurry back, heah?" As training progressed, Hynes began to sort out individuals, as an example, the city slicker and the rube. His telling comment about the know-it-all from South Dakota was how could you be a city slicker if you were from a state that had no cities? His most astute writing deals with the classification of the newly winged pilots into "Crazies" and "Sanes". Happily, the "Crazies" stayed back in the States and the "Sanes" carried the war to the enemy.

Too much of the book is devoted to sexual encounters and to drinking.Samuel Hynes reflects the mores of his time when he begins with "Alice' who was pretty and in a sorority (both good), but who was a Catholic (bad).His characterization, not mine.The book is then littered with accounts of attempted sexual conquests, (not going-all-the-way), sexual conquests and then marriage. Explicit encounters with whores are described, as when "Green" tells how he got his money's worth from a prostitute.What ..."you might expect from a guy from New York who had gone to CCNY and wore a lavender sweatshirt".

(City College of New York, along with Brooklyn College, Hunter College and Queens College, as part of the City University of New York, all had the colors of purple and white...NOT lavender.Further, Jesuit Fordham University and private New York University had the colors of purple and white.However, my alma mater, Manhattan College, a Catholic college in The Bronx, had the colors of Kelly green and white.)

Also, there were many tales ofdrinking bouts and drunks. The locals were tolerant of Navy Fliers, as Hynes narrates: a drunken Naval Aviator climbs up an awning to get at a pretty girl.While climbing, he pulls down the awning and then simply walks away.No charges were pressed by the townsfolk.

Little enough action is reported in this book.One pilot finally shots down a Jap plane by using air-to-ground rockets.Another pilot goes slightly daft and begins to paint everything blue: his Mae West, his helmet, his flying suit, and finally, his tent.Perhaps the most interesting event is when Hynes, and his two crew members in the TBM, wake up to find the engine off, due to lack of fuel.Hynes switches to another tank to fly safely home.Good for him.

An Interesting Tale of Aviation Service in the Pacific
Since I first read this book back when it first was published in 1988 by the Naval Institute Press, this review is not based on immediate memory.
The story covers the author's service as a fighter pilot in the Central Pacific Theatre, both on carriers and on dusty tropic atolls. It is excellently written and is one of the few aviation personal narratives in my collection as most of my interest is in the ground wars in the Pacific and SW Pacific Theatres of WW II.
I remember it as well worth my reading and it should be sought out if you are interested. ... Read more

Product Description

Improve Your Piloting Skills with Today's Best Navigation Guide—Now Updated with the Latest Cockpit Technology and Tools!

The Aviator's Guide to Navigation has been revised and updated to equip experienced pilots and aviation students with a complete tutorial on modern navigation systems. From the basics of dead reckoning to the most advanced “glass cockpit” EFIS systems, the Fourth Edition of this comprehensive guide explains the full range of air navigation innovations, covering all the new technologies and tools that have emerged in the past ten years.

Readers will find valuable new material on distance measuring equipment (DME), long-range navigation, and The Next Generation Navigation System. Filled with a wealth of detailed illustrations, the Fourth Edition of The Aviator's Guide to Navigation features:

• A highly readable tutorial on navigation fundamentals
• Expert information on cutting-edge navigation tools and technologiesthat are changing how pilots fly
• New to this edition: New information on GPS navigation and flight management systems, distance measuring equipment, area navigation, criticalfuel scenarios, and international operations

Everything a Pilot Needs to Know About Navigation

Customer Reviews (2)

Instrument Flying Handbook
Everything one (an amateur like me, SIM person) needs to know about flying is between these two book covers.Covers all subjects that one needs to know and understand.Excellent presentation, great graphics and very clear pictures.Cuts down a lot of searching on the Internet and it's all available in a compact format and easy to understand.

The service from Amazon is excellent.Great selection and effective search mechanism and impressive delivery.

Thank you.

Diapoyntment
This book deals mainly with the basic "old" stuff.
I was expecting to get much more information on using modern navigation systems that are common today - GPS, FMS, EFIS etc. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a story as seen through the eyes of one 1st Lieutenant Army aviator, during the early US military commitment to support the Republic of South Vietnam in its counter-insugency operations against North Vietnam's campaign to reunite Vietnam under communist rule. It depicts the daily life of these soldiers and aviation crew members as they went about proving the importance of the helicopter in modern warfare. Describes in detail how the helicopter was employed, puts you in the pilot's seat, death and humor, frustrations encountered, and a tribute to those soldiers and airmen who paid the ultimate price. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Thunderbird Lounge
It is quite evident that Gen Brandt did considerable research into the events that took place during that time period.Some people might question the facts as presented about some of the operations or events, however, I think the book speaks for itself.The author did an outstanding job depicting how the Company functioned in that environment and how the officers and enlisted men endured the stress and strain of life away from home and family.The humorous side depicted in the book is probly as accurate as can be remembered and certainly contributed to the over all high moral of the organization.The book is well written and a pleasure to read.

Highly Readable, Accurate, Thorough Picture
Bob Brandt did a masterful job of saving, sorting and presenting data as well as remembering so many facts that most of us have long since forgotten.

The book is a keeper, and supports the efforts and brave acts of the many unsung participants at the outset of this strange venture of our country into a truly foreign land.

DAVE EASTMAN, OUTLAW 23,-24
I swapped my book, OUTLAWS IN VIETNAM, for Bob's book at the VHPA reunion in Las Vegas, 2002.This is a great book by Gen. Brandt typifying the events and life-style experienced at this early moment in Vietnam. The H-21's are graphically described in all their quirks and needs, as well as the skillful men who had to fly them. I find the earliest years of VN helicopter warfare fascinating to read, as these men not only laid down the tracks for we later aviators to utilize in mid-sixties on, but they quickly found out the political reality of Vietnam--which never changed.As Halberstam has stated, "the war was lost in 1964, not at the end of its duration." Our aviator job was tremendously enjoyed by all of us, but the Washington administrations never totally got it what a fluky scenario Vietnam was.We helicopter pilots surely got it, though.

True Pioneers of Army Aviation
Pi'-o-neer' a noun meaning: "One who goes before, preparing the way, for others to follow."There is no other way to define the original members of the 33rd Transportation Company (Light Helicopter)(CH21), except as pioneers in U.S. Army Aviation history!All original members of the 33rd left their families in the U.S. and quietly departed Ft. Ord, CA with their destination as-"unknown"!The move was classified as Top Secret and no one was able to tell anyone, including families, where they were going under penalty of court-martial.Vietnam was not classified as a combat zone in 1962, but as an advisory zone...but no one told the VC.Thunderbird Lounge is a very good historical book written by a man who experienced it all. 1LT Robert J. Brandt, a National Guard officer newly assigned, became the Commander of the 573rd Maintenance Detachment and, would be the only Commander of the 573rd Maintenance Detachment for the entire year.

The 33rd was originally to deploy to "unknown" locations in March of 1962.The orders were delayed and many of their helicopters were transferred to two other Transportation Companies (8th and 57th), which did deploy.Then the U.S. was scoured for low time CH-21's to replace the ones given up by the 33rd.The unit was again alerted to move in August of 1962.All aircraft and all other equipment finally departed for Hawaii by ship scheduled to stop in Hawaii to pick up the aircraft and equipment of a sister unit, the 81st, before continuing on. Then, the day before the main body of personnel was to depart Travis AFB, 1LT Brandt was diagnosed with pneumonia!After spending a night in the Ft. Ord hospital and receiving a massive dose of penicillin that led to a rapid improvement, Brandt convinced the Army doctor that he HAD to go with his unit the next day.Convinced by his improvement, the doctor loaded Brandt up with more penicillin and off he went.He recovered enroute with no ill effects.

The arrival at Tan So Nhut and Saigon was exactly as anyone who has been there remembers...a sensory shock and memorable!The year was 1962 and, Saigon was "unspoiled" by western influences; full of interesting foreign sights, sounds and smells.The USNS Croatan, carrying 40 cocooned helicopters and equipment, arrived within 48 hours, on schedule.Following unpacking, unwrapping and assembly, the 33rd's20 CH-21s were flown to Tan So Nhut and ultimately to their new home on Bien Hoa airbase about 30 miles north of Saigon.The time was the monsoon season and no member of the unit had experienced the tropics or the problems the heat and moisture would ultimately bring to their aging CH-21 helicopters.The 33rd had arrived and "Wow", were the conditions primitive!

Throughout the remaining pages of Thunderbird Lounge, MG Brandt tells a complete story of the first year of the 33rd in Vietnam.People, places and incidents are described in very vivid detail.Almost every pilot is mentioned as well as many of the key enlisted men and NCO's.Using letters sent home to his wife along with the help of several comrades he is still in contact with,MG Brandt reconstructs many events that tell the story of their first year.Combat assaults, re-supply and medical evacuations are carried out in two aircraft flights because of engine and maintenance concerns.The red soil and extreme moisture conditions made maintenance of the CH-21 radial engines and wooden rotor blades very, very difficult.Brandt estimates that his engine shop rebuilt a CH-21 radial engine every 8 days!Thunderbird Lounge is a story of missions, maintenance and mayhem.

Never has a book been written after 40 years that is more complete with dates, names and locations.Every page is brimming with tales relating the many humorous incidents and events that made life in combat and the poor living conditions of Bien Hoa airbase bearable. Great photos are placed at the end of each chapter that compliment and highlight the people and incidents within the chapter. MG Brandt carefully remembers some of the sad events of the year, concluding with the loss of the first two 33rd pilots just after his returning home.

Thunderbird Lounge is truly a wonderful book.It tells a positive story about men as pioneers overcoming adversity, boredom and the enemy.Some of the participants may have seen things differently than MG Brandt, as he looks back after 40 years.However, no one can say he didn't tell it candidly, and fairly, as he saw it.After all, 40 years is a long time.1962 was truly a time when real men pioneered the use of helicopters in combat and developed the textbooks for US Army Aviation airmobile operations.Those textbooks, as well as the lessons learned, were effectively used by thousands of pilots over the next 9 years in that "unknown" location so very far away.

Tom Payne
Sec/Treas
VHPA ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The tale of an airport bum
Well written book which chronicles the life of an aviation legend. Several chapters are devoted to Ryan's rural upbringing, and his chance meeting with a pilot that turned his life around. Some very personal observations convey the author's great respect for Ryan, and his dogged research efforts to garner the material for this wonderful piece of Americana. A prize edition for admirers of aviation's early pioneers. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume charts the rise of women in the male-dominated field of aviation through the stories of record-breaking aviatrixes: from those who piloted the earliest aircrafts to the first women in space almost a century later. These women from across the world took to the skies, fighting their way to recognition against all odds.Bessie Coleman, an African American born into a humble cotton-picking family, worked as a laundress and manicurist to pay for flying lessons. She went on to become a fully fledged performance flier, the first of her race. The formidable Harriet Quimby was the first woman to gain a pilot license in the United States, and the romantic Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic—her mysterious disappearance continues to fascinate. The backgrounds and life stories of these women differ wildly, and yet they all offer a reminder of what can be achieved through ambition and perseverance.This book will delight lovers of heroic feats with its inspirational tales of bravery about the women at the helm of airships, rockets, and airplanes, who often proved themselves more capable than their male counterparts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Aviators in Review
The book is very informative on women aviators.Love it ad will be reasding it for a long time.Shirley Spry

Women Aviators WOW
I purchase many books from Amazon. I have never been disappointed with the product or the great prices, From start to finish when the books arrive, could not be better. The choices are very wide spread. I am a history buff, and love aviation. My recent purchase of "Women Aviators" From Amelia Earhart to Sally Ride, is no exception. A wonderful book just chocked with great stories and history about the fantastic women from the early days of flying to current times. Its a book thats hard to put down. If your intrests lie in aviation,and/or history don't miss this book. Richard Staley

Not what I expected.
I was suprised, being the quintessential American, believing that we are the only country with historic women aviators. I found the book very interesting in describing so many of the women aviators from all over the world. I had now idea and I certainly have learned a lot. ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the life and times of Howard Hughes, The Aviator tells the story of aviation pioneer Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio), the eccentric billionaire industrialist and Hollywood film mogul famous for romancing some of the most beautiful women of his time. The drama recounts the years of his life from the late 1920s through the 1940s, an epoch when Hughes was directing and producing Hollywood movies and test flying innovative aircrafts he designed and created. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

great.
I have yet to see this movie, I picked up the book, as it was on sale for 5.99 and I am a writer. By the 4th page or so, I was invested, in this book. in Hughes life. it pulls you in, inside his head, tics, and wants. and doesnt stop until the last page. ... Read more

Product Description
In graphic novel format, tells the story of Amelia Earhart, the daring female aviator who disappeared while attempting to become the first woman to pilot a plane around the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a great biography
Graphic library seems to have excellent graphic adaptations of biographies and histories. Amelia Earhart's story is one of them. The story is well structured, divided in four chapters, it allows for panel analysis, and it allows for metacognitive strategies such as predicting and making inferences. The very first panels in this story gives us some action that can lead to character traits discussion in a class. The story, as well as other graphic library editions I have just read also has a thematic thread: e.g. persistence helps people pursue and achieve their dreams, or perisitence help people overcome obstacles. As one reads the story, one may also ask whether Amelia Earhart really had the technical expertise that could make her a great aviator, given her ending. An excellent text.
The illustrations are also excellent. ... Read more

Product Description
For anyone with the will to become a U.S. naval aviator, the future begins now.Marine fighter pilot and combat veteran Jay Stout shows us just what it takes to be a U.S. naval aviator in the twenty-first century, conducting us through every step of training as these dedicated, everyday heroes prepare for tomorrow’s threats while taking the fight to the enemy today. Throughout, Stout offers behind-the-scenes perspectives on the community of naval aviators, with profiles of the men and women who fly naval aircraft, of celebrated naval aviators, and of important figures in the history of naval aviation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Used Book
Bought a used book through Amazon described as "like new", and I was thrilled to discover it appeared brand new.Saved money and was able to give it as a Christmas gift.

To Be a U.S. Naval Aviator
Good introduction to naval aviation training, but lacks the "human" element for nightly reading.If you like to read manuals and basic vanilla material, and are interested to learn the stages one goes through to become a naval aviator, then this book is a good read.

A well done recent dpiction of the Track for Naval Avation
This is a well-done, picture book that takes you from the commissioning process (Academy, ROTC, OCS) to API and then through the different pipelines to the wings of gold. Seems most of the primary pictures came from Whiting, and the advanced portion is a little heavy on the Jet Syllabus- many pictures from Kingsville (written by a Jet Pilot) Overall a great picture view of the different phases of training. Makes a great gift for the family of a Naval Aviator for them to understand and see some of what takes place

Son who is in Primary now
Outstanding book that accurately depicts with excellent pictures and graphics.My son is undergoing the training now and we gave him the book for a while to assimmilate the information as well.

A MUST READ for anyone interest in or wanting to become a Naval Aviator!
This book is written by a Naval Aviator in layman's terms and provides an excellent source for information about and/or becoming a Naval Aviator.Each of the Navy "pipeline's" is discussed and illustrated with great photography.

... Read more

Product Description
This improbable aviation adventure will take you on a thirty-six year journey from five-star hotels to back alleys and greasy cargo ramps. Join the author, Ace Abbott, on a roller coaster ride of an aviation career, as he transitions from hobnobbing with international icons, like Jimmy Buffett, to bartering in order to get some critical jet fuel. The author's primary source of motivation in writing his story is the desire to share a wonderful adventure with pilots of all backgrounds who have had similar careers and to inform aspiring pilots of the unique nuances of an aviation career.Twenty-five employers later, you will get to ride on Ace's final flight in a 727 while you gain insight into the potential catastrophe of a pilot's brief but potentially fatal inattention. This aviation exposé will introduce the reader to aspects of aviation never before seen from the previously unexplored dark side of commercial aviation. The secondary theme of this book is very relevant to the current front and center news topic of aviation safety. Included in The Rogue Aviator is an insider's look at commercial aviation and the FAA. With today's focus on aviation safety and the role of the FAA to insure our safety in the air, the author addresses his thoughts on these vital areas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

If you fly, you will be glad you read this book...
I bought this book from the author at the EAA Airventure 2010 in Oshkosh, WI.My 16 year old daughter/pilot and I were buying T-shirts in the EAA Wearhouse and walked past Ace.We stopped and talked for a moment with Ace.There is something about the man that screams pilot, integrity, and openness, so we took the plunge and got a really nice autograph as a bonus.I started reading it that night.

It is a fun read.From page 1, I found it incredibly interesting even if it is flawed here and there... like referring to BUFF's as BUF's. ("BUFF's was/is the term "crew dogs" of B-52's called the aircraft and stands for "Big Ugly Fat Fellows"... just replace the Fellows with the logical military term.)Plus I don't recall Ace ever telling us what happened with his first marriage and family beforehis second marriageto "the lovely lady" Bebe.

Any way.I'm just nit-picking.Pretty soon I was looking forward to catching a few more pages anytime I could during the remaining 5 days at Airventure, even if I was exhausted from walking all day long.The darn book just kept getting better and better.And more disturbing. And more important.

I believe this book really deserves more attention.If you have EVER paid someone to fly you anywhere you will likely be glad you read this book.
And because you aren't going to "drop your coin" without some encouragement, how about this...?

Page 143 last paragraph... "during the "terrible ten--1987 through 1997--his average salary had been $35,000 a year.To make matters worse, during this 10 year period, Ace had been employed as a 727 Captain by 10 different airlines!"(So much for the rich pilot theory!I flew in planes piloted by guys making waaaay less than me. My life (yours too) was in their hands and they were often times probably making what your barber makes.)

Page 146 second paragraph... "Perhaps surprisingly, underpaid aviation employees played a major role in the ease with which the 9/11 hijackers were able to perpetrate their crimes."(After having already read 145 pages what Ace says here made perfect sense.It sent chills up my spine just because my OWN experiences flying commercial since 9/11 made what Ace says ring so true to me!!!)

Page 152 second paragraph... "The book 'Improbable Clause' would be a great resource for a docudrama movie of international intrigue comparable to a 007 adventure story."(You will raise BOTH eyebrows after reading the paragraph that ends with this sentence.The CIA, NTSB, FAA and who knows who else... just mix 'em up in witches' brew and throw in a little political pepper for seasoning.Wow!)

Page 157 last line... "We're taking the jet' to Lake Geneva."(Poor as a church mouse one moment, and the next moment he gets to live a dream because of his skill and professionalism.(We can all be thankful.Ace and most of his colleagues' care enough to try their best.I for one, having flown commercial more than I really wanted, am happy these folks get to have some fun.You will be too.They earned it.)

Page's 166-168... (Worth the price of the book.)

My daughter and I were going to go back and buy another autographed copy from ACE for a former "BUFF" Electronic Warfare Officer I work with, but we got way too busy.So I am buying that second copy right now here on Amazon before I post this review.You should buy one too.You can thank me in the comments section later.Thank Ace buy buying a second one for a friend.

Great Read
Great book - The Rogue Aviator. A must read for anyone interested in aviation. It takes you on a journey from his first exposure to aviation, a career in the airforce, and then his experiences thur his time as a 727 pilot. Be sure to see Ace Abbott's web page for more information: [..]

A Great Read!
Browsing in our local book store, I came upon "Rogue Aviator."At
first I though it had something to do with that woman in Alaska. A look
at the book jacket, showed it didn't.So, I bought it.

I've got to say, I couldn't put the book down.I was taken by Ace's
experiences in the Air Force and commercial flying.i felt like I was
right there looking over his shoulder during his exploits.

My son-in-law is in the Air Force.I'm giving him the
book for Xmas. ... Read more

Product Description
How does it feel to sit aboard a thirty-ton jet and be literally hurled over a ship's bow at 140 miles per hour? And how does a deck crew coordinate their efforts to achieve such a feat every thirty seconds? Offering a rare glimpse of life onboard an aircraft carrier, Fly Navy paints a vivid and often hair-raising portrait of military aircraft carriers and carrier crews, and of the planes and pilots who depend on them. Based on archival research and interviews with veterans and contemporary carrier personnel, this stunning volume tells the story of the aircraft carrier-from the first ramshackle seaplane carriers to today's nuclear-powered supercarriers-and celebrates their undeniable impact on modern warfare. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good read, but a bit thin
A lot of great pictures but not much technical detail.A good coffee table book but don't buy it as a reference.If you're looking for a book with more information about the technical specs of Naval aircraft I suggest "Carrier" by Tom Clancy, if you want to know what it takes to be a US Navy fighter pilot get "Bogeys and Bandits" by Robert Gandt.

2nd Best Book about Naval Aviation
This is an absolutely fabulous book about carrier aviation from its first conception to modern day.It's margins are filled with lots of trivia about the aviators and aircraft.The book contains lots of picture and photographs of the first built carriers and carrier based aircraft.I enjoy just picking up the book and reading a few pages at a time.It is very easy to read and makes a wonderful coffee table book.As a naval aviator, I will cherish this book.By the way, the BEST book is U.S. Naval Aviation. ... Read more

Product Description
Between April and July 1944, Truman Smith Flew thirty-five bombing missions over France and Germany. He was only twenty years old. Although barely adults, Smith and his peers worried about cramming a lifetime s worth of experience into every free night, each knowing he probably would not survive the next bombing mission. Written with blunt honesty, wry humor, and insight, The Wrong Stuff is Smith s gripping memoir of that time. In a new preface, the author comments with equal honesty and humor on the impact this book has had on his life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

Sadly disappointed
With the plethora of books of WWII aviation continuing to come out as the generation dies off, there may be a willingness to publish some just because the author was there and took the time to write.The good thing is that there are a lot of books to read on the subject, unfortunately this is not one of them.While I was very curious about what the author wanted to say, the poor writing style caused me to give up by the end of the first chapter.There are a lot of books out there on WWII aviation, I wish I had time to read them all, but I don't and I set this one aside to use the time to read something that had been edited.

The Wrong Stuff
One of the best stories of the Eighth I've read to date. Well written with great humor and thoughtfullness.

This book is OK
The stories are a fascinating read.However, he seemed to use fowl language just for the sake of it.It's almost like he counted the number of swear words, found it lacking, and threw in some more.I'm not a prude, I understand the concept of realism. This book, to me, was over the line.I didn't finish it.

better late than never
Picked WRONG STUFF up about 13 years after first published..
have read a great amount on the Mighty Eighth this one is a worthy classic - will enhance your knowledge of the campaign and fill in details missing from others.
Truman Smith- 36 missions -really overwhelming to me.
God Bless Truman Smith!
God Bless these brave men!
jack

The Wrong Stuff
This is the autobiography of a World War II bomber pilot who flew B-17s from England to bomb Germany.He was 20 years old - what was called a 90-day Wonder - and was co-pilot to Lieutenant Ernest Baumann, who was 24 years old.The book catalogues his combat missions - as well as his off-duty "missions" when on leave to London and to "Flak House" in the country on the southwest of London.He includes his nightmares and musings about "Survivor Guilt" and what was undoubtedly PTSD.It is well-written and could be mistaken for a novel. ... Read more

Product Description
The fateful attack on Pearl Harbor forced the Western world to revise its opinion of Japan’s airmen. Before the war, Japanese aviators had been seen as figures of ridicule and disdain; yet the ruthless skill and efficiency of their performance in December 1941 and the months that followed won them a new reputation as a breed of oriental superman. This book explores the world of the Imperial Japanese Naval airman, from the zenith of his wartime career until the turning of the tide, when the skill and experience of the average Japanese airman declined. Cultural and social background, recruitment, training, daily life and combat experience are all covered. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

IJN - A Vaulable Resource
Excellent book for anyone intersted in the training and operational details of the Imperial Japanese Navy.Highly recommended.

Loved the Cover!
I am an enthusiast for the naval-air actions in World War II, and own some 700 books on the subject. I wanted to include this one, if nothing else for the lovely cover illustration. Osprey Publications deserve high praise for their layout, readability, and illustrations.

This is definitely a "beginner's" book, and just touches lightly on its subject. I enjoyed it, but as an "expert" already in the field, I found it covered a lot of ground on the subject but offered little new.

ten
There is nothing more facinating to read than history through the eyes of the other side.

This book in its brief sixty four pages gives the reader the life of the imperial Japanese naval aviator as best as the author can give.

I enjoyed this book for this capacity. ... Read more

Product Description
Most people recognize brothers and bicycle mechanics Wilbur and Orville Wright as the first in flight, and know that in 1903, on the blustery sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they made history with a flying machine of their own invention. But few other people know that the next aviator after the Wright brothers, a Brazilian, flew almost three years later and was nevertheless widely credited as being the first in flight. Or that a world-famous escapologist, a Hungarian, made the first flights in Australia but afterwards never flew again. Or that in Spain the first public display of a flying machine led to religious riots.

The first pilots from each of a hundred countries have their stories told in this work. A brief biography and description of his or her attempts to fly are provided for each early aviator, except in a very few cases where facts are hard to find. For purposes of this book, a "flight" is defined as that made by a "heavier-than-air machine capable of taking off from ground level carrying a pilot, who controls to some degree the ascent, descent and path of the machine." To be called "successful," the flight must be "sustained past the point to which the machine’s take-off momentum would normally carry it through the air." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not typical Gann
Unlike prior Gann books I've read, this story is more about the influence a young girl has on the life of a lonely aviator of a downed plane than it is about the adventure itself. Set in the early days of airmail, the pilot agrees to carry as a passenger in the unheated mail compartment of the plane a young girl.The pilot lives a lonely life, and at first there is no real concern for the person of the girl.

After the plane crashes in a remote area, their fate becomes the same. The pilot's concern for the girl grows. We witness the actions that result from their concern for each other's safety as they try to find their way out of the wilderness in winter. By the conclusion the pilot has opened his heart to emotional connection.

It is a fast read, but when you pick it up be aware that Gann is exploring a different area is his writing.I think it makes the point of the loneliness of the early pilots, but in a roundabout way that I didnot find that appealing.

A tender, touching tale
I have to disagree with the other two reviewers, enough to prompt me to write my very first review here. The Aviator is a lovely tale set during those early daring days of mail flights in small biplanes. The trips were dangerous, information on weather enroute was minimal, frequently obtained by calling farmers that lived along the route for local weather conditions. No radios, no cockpit instruments for in cloud flights, no cockpit heating and nav instruments but a paper chart and a clock. And no reliable engines (in a modern sense). Business as usual, back then.

The main character is a mail pilot cut off from the world after a bad accident that left him with more guilt than he could bear. And a bad scar in his face to remind him. He didn't have to look at the mirror to be reminded, he just had to see the look on everyone's face when they stared at him. After his soon to be wife left him, he hid from any kind of human contact by spending the most time in the sky as possible, becoming the most eficient and reliable pilot Moravia, the line's manager had.

In comes the little girl, who wanted to see the world like birds do, so she could describe it to her blind grandfather. A little girl with a huge heart and strong personality, that didn't look away in disgust at the first sight of the aviator's scar.

This is a story of a man who, afer being hidden from the world and from any kind of warm human relationships for a long time, finds himself forced to deal with his repressed ability to love and protect, when he crashlands in an remote valey during a winter storm and injures his passenger.

The way that, despite her injuries, the enduring little girl manages to melt the thick ice in his heart and "bring him back into the light" and the dialogs between the two while the aviator reads her mail letters to keep her distracted from the pain and hunger are memorable to me. Overall this isa tender and heart lifting tale.

Together with the amazing "Fate is the Hunter" (an autobiographic tale), I've kept this as one of my favourite aviation stories.

Not Gann's best - but OK
This isn't Gann's best written book, nor his best story. Get a copy of "Fate Is The Hunter" for a REAL aviation book - - and then you must read that from cover to cover in one go.
"The Aviator" grinds an ax, has a weak plot, but would be good during jury duty I suppose. Gann's war action fiction is what made his name in literature. He WAS a top-notch flier for decades, so he knows about and has flown all the planes he writes of. This one's story line is lame.
Other Gann books of note (besides the ones Hollywood made into movies) are "Gentlemen of Adventure" or "In The Company of Eagles". for a real change of pace read also "Song of the Sirens", a book about Gann's other passion, tall ships and sailing.

"The saddest words of tongue or pen, are these:..."
It is 1928.With questionable judgement, the parents of an eleven year old girl are letting her fly to see her grandfather - in a mailplane, in the mail bin, with no seat, no belts, no chute - rather than take the train.For reasons best known to themselves, the pilot and flight ops manager decide to go along with this, though they're aware that her route is the riskiest of their line.Needless to say, something goes wrong, and a forced landing ensues which wrecks the airplane beyond any repair and leaves one person injured.To complicate matters, the pilot had (for good enough reason, or so it seemed) deviated from the usual route and has gone down in mountain terrain, in the American west, in winter.Barring early rescue, (highly unlikely), we know that these twos' life spans can be measured in days.
What a splendid plot to build a book around!A shame that Gann doesn't.Instead, we have such inessentials as a pilot with Lester's face and Dan Roman's tragic past, a one-legged Gafferty from "Blaze of Noon," a timid, self-centered pilot who puts his own safety ahead of others' survival, etc, etc.We really learn little about pilot Jerry, and though he comes across neither as the fictional Dooley or the real-life O'Connor, he's a man we could clearly learn much from.Even more from 11 year old Heather.Alas, we end knowing less about her than the one-legged Moravia.
Given the contacts Gann had in the flying world, it's entirely possible that this story is based on truth.If so, here's hoping we read it someday. ... Read more

Product Description
This two volume set originally appeared in 1919 in limited quantitiesoriginal copies are now highly sought collectibles. Both volumes of New England Aviators are now available in new quality editions. 542 New England pilotswho flew with the USAAC, USN, USMC and British and French air forcesare given short biographical entries and most appear in World War I era photographs. New England Aviators is a superb, detailed reference for World War I and aviation historians, as well as uniform and insignia collectors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great insight into an awful war
It would be hard to describe the book as interesting on its own merits. It is in the format of a diary, and the writing is pretty simplistic. However, it was really interesting from a historical point of view.

Two things stand out to me after reading this book: (1) their airplanes were awful. Almost every entry lists airplanes that break down or crash or have other mechanical problems. A number of pilots shoot their own propellors off. This shouldn't be too surprising, since the first powered airplane flew less than 20 years before the book was written, but it's amazing to read how awful and dangerous they were at that time. The second item is somewhat related, but (2) so many men died in such a short time period, and most of the ones referenced in this book died in plane-related accidents. Again, almost every entry has a list of the people who died. The author says at one point that he knows of 100 men who have died, although he "only" saw seven or eight of those deaths.

A realistic view of early aerial combat and squadron life aground.
A collection of the letters of both Lt John Grider, KIA, and Lt Elliot White Springs, edited by Springs. It details their alcoholic and amorous adventures while in training, paying slight attention to the casualty rate of British flight school.On to aerial battles over the Front, these well bred fighter pilots (Springs a Princeton grad) pursued booze with the intensity they sought the Hun.The stories of combat are absolutely real and intense, saying little of their comrades deaths. One can see the two change from shallow fraternity brother to hardened and bitter combat veteran. This is aerial warfare showing all of the tarnish on the knight's armor.

As an aside, Elliot White Springs inherited a southern cotton mill and gained noteriety for his advertisemnts in popular magazines for bedsheets showing a tired Indian warrior abed in a wnite hammock, overlooked by a barely clad Indian girl, the caption reading, "A buck well spent on a Springmade sheet."

Found after 50 years
I first read this book aged 15.It made such an impression on me that I sought out copies in secondhand shops etc with no success.And now 50 years later I have read it again and found it just as powerful as a conveyance of the notion of adventure and the spirit of youth amidst the insanity of war.The insights into the scant training of the fighter pilots, the conflict between the U.S. and British hierarchy and the maverick attitudes of the pilots help to take us through the actual experience of war in contrast to the 'dates and events' fed to us through history books.What a privilege to be able to read such detailed and private writings of this young man.

Popular and Not Popular -- War in the Air WWI
The Diary of Lt John M Grider, KIA in France, 1918, as amended and edited by his friend E.W. Springs. Springs believed it would add to the value of the book if he kept it anonymous and mysterious. The book was serialized in a popular magazine in 1926 and created a scandal because it depicts the American boys as womanizers, drinkers, etc. (the racist attitudes of the flyers caused no comment at the time). Later Griders sisters forced Springs to admit that the book was based on their brothers diary, although apparently Springs also included considerable material from his own letters home. Springs was a Princeton graduate from a wealthy family. He was a top pilot and received the DFC, shooting down 5 enemy planes. He wrote some other books but none as popular as this one. This book is gritty and tough, and depicts very well the descent from idealistic recruit to hardened and battle weary veteran.

War Birds review
War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator is a fascinating portrait of training and combat for a WWI aviator. It is unclear to me whether the book consists of an actual diary, or is a dramatization written by a friend based on letters written by the aviator main character (see http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/usa/springs.html). The aviator was a real person with real faults (he makes some racist statements), and this makes the story all the more personal. The story reminded me of Catch-22, but is more touching because the triumphs and deaths actually occurred. ... Read more