Emergency!: Crisis in the Cockpit

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.

Finally a book that focuses on what went right instead of what went wrong. A positive approach to aircraft incidents. Notice I did not say accidents. Through solid airmanship and crew resource management and a touch of luck, these heroic crews prevented a disaster. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and at the same time provide a look at skills and attitudes we should try to emulate when at the controls of an aircraft. Written in a style that is understandable to a lay person. Highly recommended

On the contrary of the next rewiever, to read this book increases my reliance in airliner's pilots. It's a very amusing and explanatory book that carries you to the cockpit and shows you how a pilot (and, sometimes, the luck) can to convert a potential disaster in only a nasty experience. Highly recommended.

I have read other books on airline disasters, but they were usually dry and sterile. This book, however, takes a different approach. It tells about situations that came up for pilots during actual flights where the courage and ability of those pilots, as well as others, were sorely tested. The actual emergencies chosen are real, frightning, and even scary to read. The author does an excellent job of holding the suspense as he leads you through the emergency, minute by minute. The chosen crisis are also hold-onto-your-chair, and nail-bitting suspense ridden as you read along. It is an excellent narrative, and well written. I highly recommend this read for anyone who wants to know what it is like to be a pilot, of any sized aircraft.