Recommended Reading

First published in 1944, this timeless classic by Wolfgang Langewiesche is still one of the best explanations of the art and science of flying.

Books by Captain Robert Buck

Bob Buck learned to fly in 1930 at age 16. Later that year, he broke the junior transcontinental speed record flying his PA-6 Pitcairn Mailwing. He became a TWA pilot in 1937, flying the DC-2 and DC-3. He retired with seniority #1, after spending 5 years as at 747 captain. During World War Two, he was assigned a B-17 crew and research team, which did icing research all over the Western Hemisphere. His team invented the static wick that is found on every aircraft today. He wrote in a folksy and very entertaining manner.

Published in 1975, the technology is out of date, but the advice is not.

Fifth edition, updated 2013 and co-authored by the author’s son, a Delta captain. It is more up-to-date than his other books.

The best pilot autobiography ever.