The Art of Flying

by Robert N. Buck

This compendium of aviation lore teaches pilots to master each phase of a flight, sharpen their “feel” shrewdly, and handle their aircraft smoothly. For more than fifty years as airline captain and private pilot, Robert N. Buck has pursued the art of flying an aircraft ranging from open biplanes to 747s, from fighters to competition gliders. Out of his experience he has developed an approach to airmanship for all kinds of conditions and for all levels of pilots. He calls it "getting down to basics" and it is the substance of "The Art of Flying." Marshalling his own experiences and the best research in aerodynamics, meteorology, and accident prevention, Buck reviews the keys necessary to master each phase of a flight, from preparation to inflight assessments to the critical moments just before and after touchdown.

Genres: Aviation

186 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1992

Reviews

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Common sense from an old ace. Loved it!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Art of Flying” by Robert N. Buck
Discusses how smart pilots use knowledge and skills to handle their aircraft smoothly.
This book relates to my ethnography topic because it dives into the life and stresses of a pilot and helps you understand what they do and go through on a regular basis. It explains the routine business as well as the hard things, it helps see life through a pilots eyes.
This book teaches young pilots the basics of flying, as well as showing what its like as a veteran pilot. Robert Buck is a renowned pilot and his ability to teach young pilots how to fly is shown in this book. He has flown in many different aircraft and he has a lot of knowledge which is why he wrote the book, young pilots want to learn from the best. “ After 18,000 hours as an airplane pilot, I just discovered flying. In thirty years my restless wings have taken me over most continents and oceans ― around the world ― but at 5,000 feet over the rolling pastoral countryside of Chemung County, New York, I discovered flight and the elusive link between the mechanical man-made machine and the aesthetic beauty of nature, the sky and the Lord’s peace.” –(Robert Buck) He knows the ways of flying and teaches you what its like to be a pilot. He is a great teacher and encourages his students, “But now come with me and we will go soaring.” (Robert Buck) Overall this book shows great flying techniques and shows what pilots go through everyday.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to get valuable experience for low hour pilots and a reminder of some good practices even for experienced pilots. In this book every pilot from student to captain will find something to take away.

[Navin R]

starts off great but loses focus at end
good intro book to general aviation principles