4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
In sore need of some editing, August 25, 2008
This review is from: Flying the Boeing 700 Series Flight Simulators (Spiral-bound)
Based on all I'd heard of Captain Mike and his gift for explaining all things aviation related, I expected this book to be a jewel in the rough of how to books for flight simmers looking to get serious about their hobby. Unfortunately, this book is about as rough as they come.
First off, let me make one thing perfectly clear: I've no doubt Capt. Mike knows his stuff. That's to be expected after a lifetime spent piloting for a living. But what is also painfully obvious after just a few pages is 1) this book was either not proofread or proofed by someone who didn't have the heart to make some serious changes, and 2) Capt Mike can't write or organize his thoughts to save his life. Now, I'm not talking about the endless strings of "it's" that should be "its". I can forgive that all too common grammar mistake. I'm talking about a far more serious error; namely, the confusing layout of the book. It's as if Capt Mike wants to tell you everything at once and ends up telling you nothing at all.
To give one specific example: the book is organized into three tutorials, each with a different flight. The first involves a flight around KSEA, and the second a flight between KLAS and KLAX. So in the second tutorial, while he's showing you how to set up the FMC, what airport do we see? You guessed it - KSEA. Basically, if this were a computer program instead of a book, it'd be so buggy as to require an immediate patch.
I wish I could give this book a higher rating, especially since I already bought it. If Capt Mike's books really are the best on the subject, then there is a gaping vacuum just waiting to be filled by a pìlot with a modicum of writing talent. Until that guy or gal comes along though, I'd simply tell Capt Mike to hire an editor!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
100% user friendly, November 30, 2006
This review is from: Flying the Boeing 700 Series Flight Simulators (Spiral-bound)
If you are a Microsoft Flight Simulator fan like me and want to upgrade from the default planes to the highly realistic airliner add-ons now commercially available, this book is an absolute must.
Want to know more about SIDS, STARS, LNAV, VNAV, the mysteries of the Flight Management Computer etc.? Captain Mike Ray explains them all in easy-to-understand language.
This is a hands-on book, loosely structured around three tutorials ranging from basic to advanced. The first involves a flight from Seattle and back, using the flight management computer, LNAV and autolanding; the second from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, introducing VNAV, SIDS and STARS; the third is a flight from El Salvador to Guatemala City using non-ILS approaches such as VOR/DME and ADF.
The author is a retired airliner pilot and the ideal person to help you master the world of virtual airliner piloting. Indeed this is one of the most user-friendly books I have ever read. The humorous, informal approach and the many illustrations, together with the lively and creative typography, make reading a pleasure. This book is a prime example of how complex, technical and potentially boring information can be presented clearly and vividly.
There is a real need for books such as these. MS Flight Simulator is an excellent product, but the default planes themselves are highly simplified versions of the real thing. On the other hand, the various third-party airliner add-ons are very realistic but often lack user-friendly manuals, instead offering incredibly detailed manuals, sometimes up to 300 pages of dry, technical information which can only serve as reference material rather than as easy-to-follow tutorials or instruction. Those who have tried to wade through them and gave up, like I did, will find in Mike Ray's book the answers they've been looking for.
I would have given this book five stars had it not been for the lack of professional proofreading, as this otherwise excellent book (I have Version 3.0, Spring 2006) cries out to have all the typos and the "it's" which should be "its" corrected. Also it would have helped to have a list of all the aviation abbreviations with their meanings at the end. These are just suggestions for future editions - I loved the book.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent reading for the novice to seasoned simmer, February 21, 2006
This review is from: Flying the Boeing 700 Series Flight Simulators (Spiral-bound)
I bought this book as part of my prep for an airline interview. I liked the presentation style a lot: It is fun to read, accurate and helpful. Not so much for a experienced pilot but certainly for the novice up to the seasoned simmer. It contains background information about several important systems (FMS, EFIS come to mind) and walks you through a complete flight with profiles, speeds and established real world tactics. Informative and entertaining.
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