Customer Reviews

Flying America's Weather: A Pilot's Tour of Our Nation's Weather Regions (General Aviation Reading series)

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This well-organized volume breaks down the U.S. into 17 distinct regions, including states whose weather is characteristic enough to justify their own chapters (Alaska, Hawaii, California, Texas and Florida). Horne, an experienced pilot, accomplishes something unusual for anyone, scientist or aviator: He explains meteorological terms and weather events in straightfoward, example-laden ways which should be easy for any worthy pilot to comprehend, and cites scientific references for further reading. In the regions where they are most common, various weather phenomena (e.g., downbursts, hurricanes, derechoes, tornadoes, rotors, fog, icing, squall lines, snowstorms, extreme heat and cold, and more) are made relevant to the pilot through plainly written explanations, combined with historic examples of their roles in aviation incidents. While memorizing definitions to pass the FAA knowledge exam may be enough to get one's license; this book takes the pilot an important step beyond by allowing him to *understand* the weather behind those terms on the test. The only significant flaw is the liberal use of website addresses, many of which will change during the several years this book resides on library shelves. Still, Horne's book should be in every general aviator's library.

Great reference book for students who are pilots, dispatchers, and meteorologist. This book explains the different regional weather patterns of the United States. It's not too technical nor scientific, however, basic knowledge of meteorology is helpful. I found the book most helpful after watching the Weather Channel, and being able to understand why the weather is doing what its doing.