Customer Reviews

Emergency! Crisis on the Flight Deck, Second Edition

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The Amazon Editorial Review above does not do this book justice. This is truly one of the better books written about what goes on on the flight deck during an in-flight emergency and how nerves of steel and teamwork have helped to avoid many potential disasters.

Right up front you are told that there was no loss of life in any of the incidents described. Yet, you will tend to forget that as you read each chapter and find yourself turning the pages and wondering what the crews can possibly do to avoid certain disaster.

What was interesting is the detail that is put into describing the individual actions taken by each member of the crew. As you read about the events unfolding and how the crews respond, it becomes even more amazing when the author tells you just how short the time-span was for the crews to realize there is a problem, determine what the problem is, and then take the necessary action to solve it. In some cases, it is only seconds.

The 747 that loses power in all 4 engines after flying through volcanic ash is the final chapter in a book that will keep you riveted from the moment you start reading it. An unpowered Glide towards a nightime ditching of their 747 in the ocean, the crew never gives up trying to save the aircraft and their passengers...

A great book.

I bought this book after getting Flying The Big Jets by the same author. This book reveals the story-telling talent of Cpt. Stanley Stewart in a way that is both entertaining and easy to read.

There is something for everyone in this book based on true accounts... from airships, prop planes to the big jets. The analysis into the mishaps by Cpt Stewart is in depth technically enough and not only touching on the competency of the aviators, but also the mental side of the pilots and how it affects decisions made.

Cpt Stewart is not afraid of placing responsibilities for the incidents illustrated in this book on the appropriate shoulders of those involved. Be it the pilots, ground engineer, nor airline. I am touched by his coming to the defense of a 3 flightdeck crew, who by showing incredible airmenship, cool headed-ness and knowledge of flying, averted a potential air disaster, only to be accused by investigators for illegal actions concerning usage of slats during a flight.

This book, though about mishaps, serves to remind the average air commuter out there that air travel is very safe and the pilots whose hands we put our lives and comfort in are well trained for nearly every situation. The superb airmenship described in this book is testament to that fact.

All in all, a very enjoyable book.

Stanley Stewart presents several stories from air incidents with a brilliantly narrative manner, keeping a fine balance between the technical and non-technical aspects of every case during each presentation.

I truly enjoyed reading this book, and currently looking to order other titles by same author, simply because of the way he writes (which, to me, is compelling).

Highly recommended.

This book is based on actual events and has a lot of details. It is very readable for an aviation fan working in non-aviation fields. That is, it has enough technical details to help understand the sequence of events, but not overly burden the reader with too much jargons. The stories are very well told, and each has a happy ending - not a single life was lost during the events described in the book.

Unlike some other reviewers, I am not a flight/plane/airline enthusiast. I am, however, a frequent flier (think 40-50 international flights a year). For that reason alone, I thought this book was utterly interesting and fascinating. If you fly as much as I do, it is inevitable that you encounter uncomfortable and disconcerting situations - although none were ever as severe as the events described in this book. I have had food carts roll uncontrollably through the aisles, I have had overhead bins open and luggage fly all around, and I have had flight attendants pray loudly, over and over again... The events described in this book certainly highlight how much worse it can get...

The book is divided into individual stories, each exploring a particular event, and each with just enough technical detail to make even lay people understand exactly what was going on but without burying the actual story in unnecessary jargon. Although not all stories may hold the same fascination to all people, I went over to my wife more than once saying something along the lines of "Holy cow, you won't believe this!" only to give her a brief summary of what I had just read.

To me, there is no doubt that a book is fascinating if you have to stop just in order to share what you just read.

Overall, a very enjoyable read IF you have even the slightest interest or exposure to flying commercial jets. Don't expect any in-depth analysis, though.