They Called It Pilot Error: True Stories Behind General Aviation Accidents

By Robert L. Cohn

Book Overview

Aircraft and the three-dimensional environment in which they operate are not user-friendly for human beings. As a result, developing and maintaining the proficiencies necessary to safely and efficiently fly an airplane or helicopter are difficult, time-consuming, and costly. Flight training has barely progressed beyond the basics, perhaps because of a typical pilot's limited time and money. Training remains a sort of crash course in not crashing, with almost exclusive concentration on physically coordinating, maneuvering, and manually handling-not manhandling-an aircraft.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830644644
• ISBN13: 9780830644643
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Tab Books
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

A enjoyable educational book....

Unlike so many of the reviews, I both enjoyed the read and found the stories educational - whether fictionalized or not. Private pilots - especially VFR pilots - DO make stupid mistakes like flying into bad weather, like many of the people in this book. They DO fail to communicate with help that is available. I Just spent a weekend at an AOPA conference in Palm Springs and the folks speaking quoted some amazing statistics about fatalities in IMC and a LARGE number.. I don't recall whether it was 40$ or more - but this large number were VFR pilots flying in IMC - just like many of the stories in this book. Why are other pilots afraid to learn from anything they read, whether they are 100% true or fictionalized? Anyone not find old Richard Bach books valuable - like "just because it's legal doesn't mean it's safe". Take learning where you can; enjoy a good read; and be a safe pilot.

A perfect book to make us pay attention

A great eye-opener to read that makes pilots pay attention. I strongly feel it ought to be read along with Eliminating Pilot Error (things we do that can affect performance having nothing to do with how we learned to control the airplane). All instructors need to advise their students what lifestyle and dietary considerations can affect their ability to fly safely.A video Human Factors & Pilot Error also tells us the same stuff and was filmed at a FAA safety seminar. If we don't make the same mistakes as are revealed in the book and take a hard look at our lifestyles and diet, maybe we won't have to have another book with more pilot error stories. Good job.

Insightfully educating and a must for all pilots.

I believe it's good to read about bad things that happened to good pilots so when we are in those situations where "I think I can make it" or" I have enough fuel" or "It didn't bother me before" it will make us think twice and maybe reconsider...I think it should be req'd reading for pilots...