Cockpit Confidential

Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel: Questions, Answers, and Reflections

De: Patrick Smith

Narrado por: Charlie Thurston

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Your ultimate guide to unlocking the secrets of aviation!

For millions of people, travel by air is a confounding, uncomfortable, and even frightening experience. When you go behind the scenes, however, you can see that the grand theater of air travel is actually fascinating. From the intricate design of airport architecture to the logistics of inflight service, here is everything you need to know about flying. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a curious novice, this captivating book dives deep into the world of air travel, providing invaluable insights and expert advice to enhance your journey.

Commercial airlines like to hide the truth from customers and do nothing to comfort nervous fliers. And what's scarier than the unknown? In this aviation book, pilot Patrick Smith breaks down that barrier and tells you everything you need to know about flying, including:

• How planes fly, and a revealing look at the men and women who fly them
• Straight talk on turbulence, pilot training, and safety
• The real story on delays, congestion, and the dysfunction of the modern airport
• The myths and misconceptions of cabin air and cockpit automation
• Terrorism in perspective, and a provocative look at security
• Airfare, seating woes, and the pitfalls of airline customer service
• The true colors and cultures of the airlines we love to hate

Cockpit Confidential is a thoughtful, funny, and at times deeply personal look into the strange and misunderstood world of commercial flying. If you liked other books about airplanes for adults, including Soar by Tom Bunn or Skyfaring, you'll find reassurance, humor, and guidance in Cockpit Confidential.

Get ready to demystify the wonders of air travel, armed with the knowledge and insights necessary to make your next flight an exceptional one. Whether you're an aviation aficionado or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the industry, this book is your gateway to an exhilarating world above the clouds.

"Anyone remotely afraid of flying should read this book, as should anyone who appreciates good writing and great information." —The New York Times, on ASK THE PILOT

"Patrick Smith is extraordinarily knowledgeable about modern aviation…the ideal seatmate, a companion, writer and explorer." —Boston Globe

great listen very informative

after flying back and forth from Iraq several times I became quite educated on long distance flying. this gave me some good background information on flying.

He acts like no plane has ever crashed...

and especially not for moronic reasons:

He ignored CB Lansing being ripped out of Aloha Airlines and thrown out, smashing her head on the plane as she was, in essence, executed. You can see the ring of blood in the photos behind the rip.


The Flight Attendants were phenomenal, crawling around in probably -50F air at hundreds of miles an hour.

He hasn't mentioned Chalk's, where the wing ABSOLUTELY DID fall off! Tho they DID have a great record to then.

He hasn't mentioned numerous crew ignoring the cockpit sterility rule (you're not talking to anyone about anything but the plane functions from the minute the engine starts, until 10k feet.

He didn't mention at least a few who left the flaps in when taking off. Planes don't fly that way, btw. One had THREE guys in the cockpit, and they STILL crashed! Corrosion prevented the FLAPS! warning chime that was intermittent.

He didn't mention (yet??) the DC-10 cargo door ripping off and throwing several people out into the air or right to the engine. This was at least three different planes!! Only one landed, but 9 people still were thrown out. To find an extremely flimsy lock mechanism that was easily bent by a short or force.

They didn't mention Flight 800. Boom!

He hasn't mentioned Concord in any real detail. Crashed, in flames, from a cheap DC-10 repair that cut a cheap tire.

A few were navigation issues. At least 3 were blunt suicides. One or two were blatant hijacking of their own employer's planes.

Btw, TERRAIN! PULL UP! Does not warn you if configured for landing. He didn't mention the pilot or the girl being sucked directly out the window (he lived, she didn't).

All of Mayday Air Disasters. Clean Tube.

Haven't heard a word on the jackscrews in the tails that crashed a number of planes. I've heard of screws with unmatched non-spec (not aftermarket) parts used in planes.

On the wings, if you let go of the screw (bad design if you can't see it), it can fall in the wing reservoir and punch holes into the wings as flaps retract. That caused a huge fire WHILE. PARKED.

A few engines fell off.

The tape talks about to protect stuff,

There's WAY more if there were 25 seasons of Mayday.

Must Read

Great read for folks interested In commercial aviation. Great Job Patrick. Looking forward to edition #2.

My new favorite book

This book was really impressive. As an aviation professional, student and fan I can say this book occupies my no.1 favorite aviation book. This book goes into explaining every detail from a need to know basis for a regular person who is probably not as familiar with aviation. If you know nothing of aviation this book will end having feel smarter about the subject. It’s interesting how the author takes the time to explain briefly aviation history and mention accidents have long been forgotten by the general public. The book ends with a vocabulary to get familiar with common words heard at the airport/plane. I will definitely be coming back to listen to it. I have not heard an aviation book as chronologically complete as this one.

Helpful With Flight Anxiety

Listened to this prior to go on a solo flying trip, never enjoyed flying especially alone and stumbled onto this book. Was a great book for this and even if you’re curious to learn more about flying, i’d highly recommend it.