Pilawt
In the Clouds
Ceesna Dude's post in response to Trivia #10 inspired me to post a list of my favorite books about our favorite airplanes.
1. General Aviation Handbook: A Guide to Postwar General Aviation Manufacturers and their Aircraft[/B] by Rod Simpson
http://www.amazon.com/General-Aviation-H...1615&sr=1-1
This is a good one, published 2005 so it's reasonably recent. It has chapters on every post-WW2 general aviation manufacturer, US and abroad, each with a narrative history and comprehensive lists of models produced. Unlike the vast majority of general aviation reference books on the market, this one is highly accurate and authoritative. The only goofs I've found have been minor. The color photos are excellent and it's on high-quality, glossy paper. I recommend it.
2. Standard Catalogue of Cessna Single Engine Aircraft[/B] by James Cavanaugh
http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Catalog-C...mp;sr=1-2-spell
This is a large, thick paperback with no narrative text but is an interesting reference nonetheless. Every year of every model of the post-war legacy Cessnas (up through end of production in 1986) has its own two-page spread with a B&W photo, specs and performance from the POH, a three-view from the POH, and some ancillary info such as serial numbers and STCs available for that model. Because of the format, there is a lot of repetition in this huge book. A couple of photos and three-views are mixed up, but otherwise this volume is pretty accurate. The paper is a little thin and many of the photos are grainy.
3. Cessna - Wings for The World: The Single-Engine Development Story[/B] by William D. Thompson
http://www.amazon.com/Cessna-wings-world...3323&sr=1-1
This book is a must for any true Cessna fan's library. The late Bill Thompson was with Cessna from 1947 to 1975, first as a test pilot then as Manager of Flight Test and Aerodynamics. It goes without saying, therefore, his book is authoritative and accurate. A separate chapter is devoted to each postwar single-engine model, with behind-the-scenes stories and explanations for why things were done the way they were, the successes and the problems. He was obviously very loyal and fond of Cessna, but he had been away long enough that he could also reveal facts not always flattering to the company or its vendors.
The book is now out of print, but used and sometimes new copies are available through Amazon and other sources. I just bought a new one at Powell's Books in Portland last week.
There is also a Volume 2, which covers the 300-series twins (including Skymasters and T-37 jets) and several experimental models; and a Volume 3, which covers the 400-series twins and business jets.
So fix some hot chocolate, bundle up in your Snuggie, and read a good book about Cessnas!
1. General Aviation Handbook: A Guide to Postwar General Aviation Manufacturers and their Aircraft[/B] by Rod Simpson
http://www.amazon.com/General-Aviation-H...1615&sr=1-1
This is a good one, published 2005 so it's reasonably recent. It has chapters on every post-WW2 general aviation manufacturer, US and abroad, each with a narrative history and comprehensive lists of models produced. Unlike the vast majority of general aviation reference books on the market, this one is highly accurate and authoritative. The only goofs I've found have been minor. The color photos are excellent and it's on high-quality, glossy paper. I recommend it.
2. Standard Catalogue of Cessna Single Engine Aircraft[/B] by James Cavanaugh
http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Catalog-C...mp;sr=1-2-spell
This is a large, thick paperback with no narrative text but is an interesting reference nonetheless. Every year of every model of the post-war legacy Cessnas (up through end of production in 1986) has its own two-page spread with a B&W photo, specs and performance from the POH, a three-view from the POH, and some ancillary info such as serial numbers and STCs available for that model. Because of the format, there is a lot of repetition in this huge book. A couple of photos and three-views are mixed up, but otherwise this volume is pretty accurate. The paper is a little thin and many of the photos are grainy.
3. Cessna - Wings for The World: The Single-Engine Development Story[/B] by William D. Thompson
http://www.amazon.com/Cessna-wings-world...3323&sr=1-1
This book is a must for any true Cessna fan's library. The late Bill Thompson was with Cessna from 1947 to 1975, first as a test pilot then as Manager of Flight Test and Aerodynamics. It goes without saying, therefore, his book is authoritative and accurate. A separate chapter is devoted to each postwar single-engine model, with behind-the-scenes stories and explanations for why things were done the way they were, the successes and the problems. He was obviously very loyal and fond of Cessna, but he had been away long enough that he could also reveal facts not always flattering to the company or its vendors.
The book is now out of print, but used and sometimes new copies are available through Amazon and other sources. I just bought a new one at Powell's Books in Portland last week.
There is also a Volume 2, which covers the 300-series twins (including Skymasters and T-37 jets) and several experimental models; and a Volume 3, which covers the 400-series twins and business jets.
So fix some hot chocolate, bundle up in your Snuggie, and read a good book about Cessnas!
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