Handling In-Flight Emergencies

This is a good overview of some of the things that might go wrong. The underlying philosophy behind the book is that if emergency procedures are learned and practiced, they cease to be emergencies and rather just more procedures.An example happened earlier this year when I was flying with a friend who had recently transitioned to a complex airplane (one with retractable landing gear). On final approach, he didn't get the "all green" lights on the gear (meaning the gear was not securely locked down for landing). With a gear not locking, the plane is still perfectly flyable, and indeed, we had four hours of fuel left. Although you'd obviously prefer not to, you CAN land with the gear up without doing undo harm to you or the plane (but not your ego :)Since I was in the right seat, I offered to trouble shoot while he continued flying. Trouble shooting involves working down the checklist and doing things like swapping out bulbs and making sure metal contacts are not dirty -- not very complicated, but involved enough that a second person makes life easier. After tinkering with the light bulbs, I looked up to see my friend was, shall we say, in a self-induced unusual attitude. HE FORGOT TO KEEP FLYING THE PLANE.This is a where he would have benefitted from practicing the emergency procedures in order to build confidence and react more positively to the situation.Handling In-Flight Emergencies covers engine failure, VFR into IFR conditions, electrical failure, control system failure, and getting found after being "temporarily lost." The book should be read in the spirit that these are things to think about, work with your preferred instructor. I feel it's successful at that.For the various control system failures and how to work around them, I recommend Rich Stowell's "Emergency Maneuver Training" book and video. They are very thorough and take a scientific approach to the situations. (Stowell is also able to explain aerodynamics without boring you.)