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suzukabunny's review against another edition
4.0
Very informative! Thats one word to describe Cockpit Confidential
This book takes the same format as blog or Q&A format FAQ. Someone asks Patrick Smith something, and he deliver the answer through a pilot point of view.
This book contains a lot of technical words, advance grammar, and unusual words for a popular book. So prepare your dictionary while reading Cockpit COnfidential.
This book takes the same format as blog or Q&A format FAQ. Someone asks Patrick Smith something, and he deliver the answer through a pilot point of view.
This book contains a lot of technical words, advance grammar, and unusual words for a popular book. So prepare your dictionary while reading Cockpit COnfidential.
pageturner12's review against another edition
5.0
Helped calm my unfounded fears of flying! Author does a great job of explaining commercial flying.
oisteing's review against another edition
3.0
Mykje bra informasjon, kunne kanskje trengt ei oppdatering!
daniellearider's review against another edition
1.0
Look. This was recommended to me as a way to alleviate flight anxiety. And, in a way, it served that purpose. Because I’m so annoyed at the author, I don’t think I have the mental capacity to be afraid on the plane. The condescension drips from the pages of this book as he mansplains things in the most obnoxiously paternalistic way ever. I’m sure the content is fine, but I couldn’t get past the haze of red rage in order to absorb any of it.
sfaircloth's review against another edition
5.0
Very entertaining overview of the history of aviation and air travel.
batwoman411's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book over the summer during several flights. I actually stretched it out longer than I needed to because it was so interesting to read it in the air. Not that I was ever a white-knuckler in a plane and needed reassurance, but I was more curious about the goings on behind the cockpit door. Since the book was written by a seasoned veteran pilot who didn't seem reticent to spill some airline secrets, who wouldn't want to know? Where are the safest seats on the plane? Can planes fly themselves these days? Do you really have to turn off all electronics on takeoff and landing?
Biggest take-away for me was learning how well trained pilots and crew are to deal with any manner of airborne nuisance, from losing an engine to having to make a water landing in the Hudson River. Because they have endlessly drilled and "flown" regular hours in flight simulators that mischievously introduce cabin fires and jammed landing gear, sudden loss of cabin pressure is treated with quotidian adeptness. And by the way, the pilot who eased Flight 1549 into the Hudson was just going through the motions that any pilot would have gone through, thus his reluctance at being hailed a hero. According to Smith, Captain Sully is no better pilot than any other pilot would have been in the same situation. That's how competent and well-trained pilots who fly for major airlines are. All of them.
This is handy knowledge to have during those 20 feet drop turbulents that feel more like 20 mile drops or during extended holding patterns above Lake Powell. One can settle in and enjoy the view and pretzel bags knowing that they are safer at 40,000 feet than they will be in the taxi ride home.
Biggest take-away for me was learning how well trained pilots and crew are to deal with any manner of airborne nuisance, from losing an engine to having to make a water landing in the Hudson River. Because they have endlessly drilled and "flown" regular hours in flight simulators that mischievously introduce cabin fires and jammed landing gear, sudden loss of cabin pressure is treated with quotidian adeptness. And by the way, the pilot who eased Flight 1549 into the Hudson was just going through the motions that any pilot would have gone through, thus his reluctance at being hailed a hero. According to Smith, Captain Sully is no better pilot than any other pilot would have been in the same situation. That's how competent and well-trained pilots who fly for major airlines are. All of them.
This is handy knowledge to have during those 20 feet drop turbulents that feel more like 20 mile drops or during extended holding patterns above Lake Powell. One can settle in and enjoy the view and pretzel bags knowing that they are safer at 40,000 feet than they will be in the taxi ride home.
aristhought's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this in one sitting. An absolute must read for any casual aviation fan. Never gets too technical, but gives a fascinating inside view on the commercial airline industry. Whether you’re just curious about what pilots do or are just getting into the field, it’s an entertaining read for almost everyone.
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating facts and tidbits from a professional pilot about a broad range of topics including the business of air travel, history of aviation, why pilots do what they do in the air, airline specifics, and airline branding. Patrick Smith is opinionated and humorous, which helps with the more technical or fearful topics in the book. I need to go check out his blog.
mschlat's review against another edition
5.0
Smith writes with passion and humor about air travel and uses his experience as a pilot to great effect. He has the gift of using just enough jargon to explain, but not confuse. My biggest lesson from the book is that nothing we experience in a plane (short of an actual crash) is as bad as we think it is. Good example: during a serious bout of turbulence, Smith keeps his eyes on the altimeter (and other instruments) so he can answer his readers' questions on how far you actually move. The answer? Maybe 20 feet in any direction, and not the hundreds of feet you imagine. Definitely pick this up if you have any apprehensions about flying.