The Perfect Flight

Editor and publisher of AOPA Pilot and author of eight previous books, Collins here presents random observations on how a pilot can achieve the perfect flight. Having flown more than 200 different types of planes, he offers advice on handling single-engine, dual-engine and jet aircraft, as well as making generally applicable observations. He believes that the pilot must have nothing on his mind but the flight at hand, that even a small intake of alcohol or drugs can affect a pilot adversely, and that the flier should know both the abilities and the limitations of his plane; above all, pilots should be respectful of the weather, never venturing aloft if the predictions are dire. It is difficult to see, however, how the book will appeal to anyone who is not a flier; lay readers will find some of the jargon incomprehensible. (September)