Best commercial aviation books according to redditors

Aviation is almost the worst for that. It even has a name for it, the 'killing zone', that period of time from 50 to 350 flight hours in which new pilots are on their own but don't yet have the skill necessary to recognize potentially dangerous situations.

In short, their mental estimation of their personal skill is significantly higher then their actual skill level. Similar with young people who just got their driver's license.

I'm a fairly low-hour pilot, but here are mine. Two of them. Both were avoidable, and both were really, really good lessons.

1. I was flying along the south shore of Lake Erie east of Toledo at 2,500' in VFR. I had checked the sectional grid to make sure that I was at a clearance for the highest obstacle at 2,200'. What I didn't check was if it was in my flight path or not. It was. But it was hidden by my cowling. My passenger asked, "Should we be that close to that tower?" I turned us to the left and hit the power to climb, but we cleared it by about 400' vertically, and maybe 800' to the north. WAAAAAY to f*cking close, and lesson learned. My passenger was cool with it, and there was no panic in my voice or actions, but I was shitting my pants on the inside. I didn't even see the tower in my route because it was obscured by my cowling for most of the way towards it. Since then, I've not only checked the obstacle height in each grid, but scoped the exact locations of obstacles within 4nm on either side of my intended route if I am more than 1000' lower than the clearance height on the grid square.
   
   
2. The second one was actually on my very first solo flight with a passenger. We flew from KARB around the DTW Bravo on the south with flight following, and up the Detroit River. We were stopping at KVLL (Troy) to meet a friend, and then flying back to KARB. When ATC terminated radar services, I squawked VFR and turned to the CTAF frequency and called all of my traffic properly. Winds were calm, so I chose a runway and entered base to a 1 mile final. As I turned to final, I saw another aircraft taking off towards me. Luckily, it was a long final, and I didn't see the aircraft on the runway due to trees and buildings. I swore, and climbed out to the right so he could take off, and re-entered the pattern, and was cursing those NORDO's who didn't transmit properly on CTAF. I even double checked my radio - and it was clearly set to CTAF 123.5...
   
   123.5...
   
   When I switched to 123.05, and was on the correct frequency, I gave an apology to the pilot I'd flown in to, and said I was on the wrong frequency. He was very cool about it, and let me know we were using Runway 9, not Runway 27 that morning. I've hit the wrong frequency a few times, which happens, but that one was a real eye opener to actually write down all the frequencies I'll encounter on a short flight ahead of time, and to double check them if there is nobody else on them at all when I announce.
   
   EDIT: Also - read this:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404
   
   I am about 1/2 way through (started it last night and couldn't put it down).

I can help a bit. There's a blog that keeps up with the 787 here. There's also a book about the 787. The book is a bit out of date, going up until just before flight testing. It is quite detailed though, covering the entire history of the jet and covers many of the reasons why there were so many delays.

I've booked the first international flight from the US on the 787 on United (Denver to Tokyo at the end of March next year). Can't wait! I know the interior isn't as nice on United's version compared to ANA's, but beggars can't be choosers.

yep, book called "The Killing Zone"

The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071798404/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4Mr6CbNZCBHET

This is a good read and addresses your question.

Do you know the US spent more on their supersonic program than France/UK and all the US had to show for it were some mockups? Source and a very good book.

Have you read this book?

Congrats!

I always recommend this book to new Private pilots. Understand your certification, your legal and personal limitations, and don't put yourself in a bad position. Stay away from "get-home-itis", aka pushing the limits of your abilities (primarily weather related) just because you need to get home.

Have fun!

The Killing Zone suggests that 200 - 500 is the danger zone in terms of hours. Essentially the author suggests:

• < 200 hours: Pilots still have a healthy amount of fear and are overly cautious.
  
• 200 - 500: Pilots now have confidence and complacency sets in, however they are still (relatively) inexperienced and thus can get in over their heads.
  
• 500+: Pilots have seen enough that they are not complacent and are careful, and have the experience to get them out of tight spots should they arise.
  
  I'm at about 400 hours and just knowing I'm in this "Killing Zone" is a great voice in my head to be extra careful still.

50-350 hours

So this is going to be a bit macabre but I'll tell you about one on my list.

It is an established fact that most fatal aviation accidents occur between 100-350 hours of total flight time. It seems to be a interval where the confidence curve of the pilot and the competence curve of the pilot separate (delaminate if you will). To that end, a book has been written that discusses why and how this happens. In the interest of being a safer pilot, I think it'd be a good pic.

It may seem like a weird choice for a gift, but I find most pilots are pretty academic in their perspectives on the nature of the activity, so I think you'd find it appreciated.

The Killing Zone by Paul A Craig:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Killing-Zone-Second-Edition/dp/0071798404

Read "The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die." You'll learn a lot about flying safely.

https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071798404/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2n0oybTT453VQ

https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

That’s exactly the way you should be thinking. Do yourself a favour and get this book to help realise you are always going to be a learner. I can tell just by the way you are thinking you have not read it, or anything like it.


https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JQX5QCK3M3S2&keywords=the+killing+zone&qid=1558028284&s=gateway&sprefix=The+killing+zone%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1

I'm by no means an expert and don't have my own opinion. I have been reading an amazing book:

The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071798404/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gMkYCb331JW3F

This looks at general aviation crash reports and breaks down the trends. The guy has basically determined most crashes happen as a result of pilot error.

The TLDR is most deaths occur after a pilot gets the PPL and leaves the protection of having a CFI, up to about the couple hundred hour mark. Most of these causes fall into a few categories: VFR into IMC causing CFIT; slow flight maneuvering, take off and landing.

Its 100% worth the read.

Statistically, GA has a crash rate 10x that of car crashes (as best the author could figure - source that book.)

Motorcycle crash rates are 75x that of cars however. (Source very quick Google-fu: https://www.askadamskutner.com/motorcycle-accident/how-do-car-accidents-compare-to-motorcycle-accidents/)

> In the FAA eyes it is taking away business from those pilots that have worked for the ratings

This might be a controversial set of facts, but here goes. The FAA doesn't give a rat's ass who makes money. What they do care about is protecting the public from inexperienced and statistically less safe pilots.

As a low-time (under 1000 hrs) private pilot you are statistically far less safe than your ATP certificated counterparts, even flying the same machinery. The public doesn't know that, but it's true. It's the FAA's job to protect them from us until we're safe enough to be entrusted with the lives of those who don't know an ATP from a CPL.

Here is the video of my week in Cumberland. I successfully passed the check ride, too!

Because the ASES rating is an add-on to the PPL, the oral and flight were mostly over the 'new' things.... extra equipment, landing considerations, environmental factors. The flight was 4 t/o and landings: normal, glassy water, short field, and power off (last one being just a landing!) Then the docking process which is a bit tricky with a tailwind!

It was a lot of fun, and I would recommend Sandi to anyone.

Edit: I would also mention that I have been somewhat consistent with flying leading up to this week, so being able to stay coordinated, and maneuver was no problem. This sounds trivial, but going into training feeling up to speed definitely helped keep the dual hours down before the checkride. On the other side of that argument, going into training with a 'minimum hours' mindset is never good. Just worth mentioning that by being ready, the overall time and cost was kept down.

EDIT 2: I'm at work and keep thinking of things (preferable to actual work). I studied fairly extensively before the lessons began using the book Seaplane Pilot by Dr. Dale De Remer. It was very helpful in getting the concepts prior to the training.

The Killing Zone

http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407429030&sr=1-1&keywords=paul+craig

A book that that statistically explores GA accidents and why pilots with 100-350 hours (or something like that) are so much more likely to have a fatal incident.

The number of people who make the same mistakes that end up fatal is astounding. A lot of things you hear and say "obviously that's stupid and I would never do it" are explained and it's easier to get into those situations than one would think.

Looks like Amazon has a kindle version. Then actechbooks has a PDF version.

Find an instructor that has instructed more than 4-5 primary students. The instructor should be planning on staying with the FBO for at least the next year so you can finish the certificate with them. I would also suggest an instructor that is around your own age. This will keep you both on the same page and help build trust. Your instructor has to trust you enough to let you learn and you have to trust your instructor not to do anything reckless.

That said you should study on your own, The airplane flying handbook is your bible of practical knowledge. Also buy a copy of the Pilot's Information Manual for your aircraft (Make sure it is for your exact model of aircraft).

The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is another good resource produced by the FAA.

Private Pilot and Recreational Pilot FAA Knowledge Test 2010 gives you all the questions and answers for the ground school test. You can practice on the Sporty's Web Site for free which helps a lot.

The easiest way to save money is to study on your own, the more you study the less time your instructor has to spend with you on the ground. I wouldn't bother with flight simulators on your home computer, they are nice for learning how to scan instruments but at the beginning of your flight training they will only mess you up. That said if you decide to get an instrument rating flight sim is invaluable.

I highly recommend you read The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die

Stick and rudder would definitely be appropriate. Although I would add it probably wouldn't translate well into x-plane. In general, VFR flight doesn't translate well into sims outside of some procedural stuff. If you want, get him an IFR book to practice with in the sim (I like this one).

One other book that you may want to consider is "The Killing Zone": https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-Pilots-Aviation/dp/0071798404. You'll have to decide if it's appropriate or not. Some of the statistics are debatable, but it really opened my eyes to being risk averse and how a lot of the dangers of flight are avoidable.

Your last statement is key. Airplanes do not fall out of the sky. How else did the pilots of US1549 land their aircraft? I'm not trying to make you feel bad for thinking that airplanes are worse than any other form of transportation. You may feel that if you read a book or article about how flying works for a passenger's perspective, your fear of flying may be reduced.

I am a private pilot, so I don't have the amazing knowledge that a commercial pilot has, however I do have background on the basic principles of aviation in the US. My mom doesn't do so well with airplanes so I bought her this book, which has made her more interested and less scared. Aviation really is an interesting field and the more you know, the less you will be afraid.

I was going to suggest the Observer books. They were great.
I remember having (still got) "illustrated guide to military aeroplanes" from the 80s so had a Google for airliners and these popped up.
https://www.amazon.com/Vital-Guide-Commercial-Aircraft-Airliners/dp/1840370645

Figure 4.2a shows the fatal accident rate for owner-operated corporate style aircraft as one in 200,000 hours. So at 100,000 hours, your odds are pretty much 50/50. If you expect a reasonable 10,000 hours in your flying career, you have a 1/20 chance of dying in your airplane. Not what I would call "astronomically low."

This is actually safer than most general aviation, which had a fatal accident rate of 1.29 per 100,000 hours for the period of 2000-2009. That's roughly one fatal accident per 75,000 hours. So if you plan to fly a ten thousand hours, you've got about a 13% chance of dying.

It's called The Killing Zone.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Killing-Zone-Second-Edition/dp/0071798404

europe for you will be a lot of different airport check ins and knowledge of the train/bus/whatever to get to those! I recommend some literature: http://www.amazon.com/Week-at-Airport-Alain-Botton/dp/0307739678

Stick & Rudder is great, although if you are really going to go from sim to IRL, check out The Killing Zone: Why Pilots Die

-Nothing beats hands on experience. If you can get a job working for a repair station, DO IT.
-These pdfs are very useful.
-If you can not get a job, go to your local airfield. NOT the airport. They have security. airfields don't, typically. Go around to the local shops in the area and talk to the owners. Tell them you are wanting to get your A&P and are looking for somewhere to help you get your hands on experience besides the school. Maybe an internship or something to 1) get that foot in the door or 2) AT LEAST know what you are getting yourself into.
-If you are already in a school, hear are some things you are going to need to know:

• Keep your eye on the prize and don't get discouraged.
  
• If you understand something, don't hold the knowledge in. You learn 100% more by helping others understand the material that way.
  
• If you don't understand something, ask questions. Bug the **** out of that instructor. They are there to make you understand it and if they aren't explaining it well enough and are being a dick about it, then /r/aviation is a click away. I would and I'm sure others here would be more than happy to help you understand.
  
• Get Prepware for the writtens. It's actually a great study reference guide. If prepware is too expensive, then just the ASA General, Airframe, and Powerplant books are your best bet. They come with some good Oral questions to study and a Practical guide on what to expect. Prepware is just super useful to help you figure out if you are "test" ready yet. Which brings me to another thing.
  
• When you are mock testing yourself over the writtens. You have an hour on the general, but only 60 questions to take, while airframe and powerplant are two hours and 100 questions a piece. Use a scratch pad. Use it to write down the ones you are unsure about and come back to them once you get through all your questions. The worse feeling is being on a timed test and being stuck on question 10 because you can't remember the damned answer.
  -My last piece of advice is read the FARs! You need to know FAR 1, 3, 21, 23, 25, 35, 39, 43 (and appendix A, B, C, and D), 45, 47, 65, 121, 125, 135, 145, 147. I threw in a couple extras just because I thought they were cool to know. But seriously, you want an A&P certification? One of the only mechanical certifications given out by the federal government? Then read the laws they made for us. Super important.

A good book on aviation crashes and statistics is The Killing Zone: How and Why Pilots Die. It offers great analysis of the statistics of crashes, common mechanical/pilot causes, and offers dozens of case studies to go along with it.

It didn't seem too math heavy at all, but I'm an engineer and my view may be a little skewed.

"The Killing Zone" is a good book for student pilots in General Aviation. The tagline of the book is "how and why pilots die." Here is an amazon link. https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

It's $20, and if you use Amazon Smile donations, please consider Candler Field Museum. Our founder, Ron Alexander, recently died in a Jenny crash here in town and the museum can use all the help we can get.

You’re looking for books on aircraft performance and aircraft design. Below are a few options that you’ll find on the shelves of people working in this industry. Raymer is considered the Bible of aircraft design:

https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Performance-Theory-Practice-Education/dp/1563473984/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?keywords=aircraft+performance&qid=1563457620&s=gateway&sprefix=aircraft+perfor&sr=8-12

https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Design-Conceptual-Daniel-Raymer/dp/1624104908/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=aircraft+design&qid=1563457722&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Someone showed me this book that goes into the details of some fatal crashes and looks into what happened and why, all in a respectful yet analytical way. https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

You should read The Killing Zone, then you'll fully understand the reasoning behind the guess.

EDIT: Link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Killing-Zone-Second-Edition/dp/0071798404

It was my first guess because often low time pilots, according to the book mind you, become overconfident. The video showing the maneurvers he was doing so close to the ground, I just thought it made sense.

Someone on /r/flying guessed a suicide flight.

Where do you fly from? I haven't started training yet, just a lot of reading. I'm still working on funding.

Not exactly a fun subject, but The Killing Zone: How & Why Pilots Die is a great book.

This book covers it quite well : https://www.amazon.com/Cockpit-Automation-General-Aviators-Airline/dp/0813823005/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474960960&sr=8-1&keywords=cockpit+automation

"In Flight Science" is excellent.
https://www.amazon.com/Inflight-Science-Guide-Airplane-Window/dp/1848312415

You might enjoy Alain de Botton's reflections on the airport then... :)

http://www.amazon.com/Week-at-Airport-Alain-Botton/dp/0307739678

Here are all the local Amazon links I could find:


amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

amazon.ca

amazon.com.au

amazon.in

amazon.com.mx

amazon.de

amazon.it

amazon.es

amazon.com.br

amazon.nl

amazon.co.jp

amazon.fr

Beep bloop. I'm a bot to convert Amazon ebook links to local Amazon sites.
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Glad to hear it... As long as you never put yourself in a position where you have to fly for whatever reason, should be fine.

Also, check out the book "The Killing Zone" ( https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404 ). Apparently, some of his numbers are off, but its a great overview of how pilots get themselves killed and how to avoid those situations.

I had Civil Aircraft and there are a lot of dumb mistakes in it, like switching names and numbers on graphs. It's pretty good for the most part but some of the mistakes are hilariously bad

You should read https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

I'm going through it now so I understand the risks as I'm learning to fly.

I am still in my studies but you may want to read The Killing Zone. They discuss situations such as this..in particular, there is a section on the dangers of complacency with new autopilot technologies. Always worth keeping yourself honest now that you've gotten yourself out of trouble once with technology that you don't up your personal limits because you know the tech is there to save you.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Killing-Zone-Second-Edition/dp/0071798404

Most crashes are those outside of the inexperienced ranged and before the highly experienced range. Between 50-350 hours.

https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

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I recommend the book "The Killing Zone: How & Why Pilots Die" by Paul Craig (non-affiliate link); it has some good discussion of how accidents and incidents can happen.

For an eye opening expose regarding how air carriers play dice with your life on a daily basis, this book (forward by Captain Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger see: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1481026437/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_eUe7ybX0H3EBN

Lots of tips on how to pick your carrier and make the safest flying choices possible.

The Killing Zone

It's drawn from real world NTSB reports and does a very good job of going through all the factors contributing to pilot fatalities, especially in the 40-340 hour window that remains the deadliest experience level in aviation.

I bought this book recently:

Flying the Airbus A380
http://www.amazon.ca/Flying-Airbus-A380-Gib-Vogel/dp/1847971245

It's a neat read for lots of reasons, but one of the things it will demonstrate is the multiple redundant layers of safeties that are in place on the plane. This includes mechanical and electronic features, but also how the flight plan itself requires that you have a backup airports setup that are never more than X minutes away.

It's short enough that you can easily read it in one evening. (Note that the author is a Boeing pilot and therefore it's possible that you might want to grab one of his other books instead of the Airbus one -- it's just that my local bookstore only had this one.)

I recommend you read The Killing Zone - Why pilots die