The book provides background knowledge as to why the helicopter flies, and more importantly, why it sometimes doesn't. It explains the aerodynamic factors associated with rotor stalls, mast bumping, wind effect, and many other important aspects of helicopter flight pilots are required to know. Soft cover, 288 pages, illustrated, glossary, index.

The worldwide helicopter industry has waited a long time to see a manual of this caliber. Helicopter pilots need to thoroughly understand the consequences of their actions, and base them upon sound technical knowledge. This textbook provides the background knowledge explaining why the helicopter flies and, more importantly, why it sometimes doesn't. Technical knowledge and sound handling are the ingredients that make a safe pilot. For the student learning to fly helicopters into the 21st century, this book is one of the essential keys to flight. Review questions conclude each chapter.

The book is arranged in two parts:

Beginner's section which covers the fundamentals of helicopter theory, performance and flying. Numerous examples of how different fundamentals interact, as seen from the cockpit, are presented.

Advanced section covers material relevant to those who already know how to fly helicopters but are interested in understanding more about the machine. This section uses many of the chapter headings of the first part but goes into much greater detail. The material on autorotations is the most comprehensive in any book on helicopters and the viewpoint is always from the cockpit.

Review by Helicopter International

The author is a well-established helicopter test pilot, with considerable experience too of more commercial flying in some of the demanding areas of the world. Consequently he is well qualified to provide advice and guidance for both the beginner pilot and the professional, as well as those who want to know more about helicopters and how they work.

However to dispense that advice needs more than experience. It also needs a pilot who can write in an easy-going, explainable manner, ideally with a sense of humour to keep the reader awake and interested. Fortunately Shawn Coyle has that knack and this, his second book on the art and science of flying helicopters, is a pleasure to learn from.

Paperback, 457pp.