From the Flight Deck : Plane Talk and Sky Science

Acknowledgments ix Introduction xi 1. Before-Start Checklist The Life of a Pilot Getting into the Business 1 Seniority 2 Commuting 5 Deadheading 7 Keeping up to Speed 8 Virtual Weather 13 2. After-Start Checklist Getting to Know the Aircraft 17 Building an Airplane 17 Paint by Numbers 20 Taking Wing 23 Window on the World 26 Forward Force 28 Fill 'er Up 30 Airbus A340 versus Honda Civic 33 Airplane Tails 34 A Day in the Life 37 Just Checking 39 Ask the Pilot 42 3. Before-Takeoff Checklist From the Gate into the Air 43 Captains on the Ground 43 Over-the-Top Weather 46 Plotting a Path 50 Cracking the Code 52 The Shipping News 55 Why All the Rules? 58 On the Job 60 View from the Ground 62 The Deice Man Cometh 65 Moving the Heavy Metal 71 Sounds Good 73 A Typical Flight 76 4. After-Takeoff and Cruise Checklists Flight, Weather, and Turbulence 81 Why the Bumps? 82 Sky Snakes 84 Weather Watch 87 Wind Beneath the Wings 88 Under Pressure 90 A Breath of Air 92 Rules of the Road 94 Highways in the Sky 96 The Sound of Speed 101 Airplane Heaven 103 Stormy Weather 105 Going for a Ride...In a Thunderstorm? 107 Tis the Season for Hurricanes 111 Mixed Measurements 115 Night Flight 118 Santa the Aviator 120 A Bird's-Eye View 122 5. Predescent and In-Range Checklists Landing at Airports Around the World 125 Destination Unknown 126 Foggy Landings 128 Smooth Landings 134 Crew Control 137 6. After-Landing and Parking Checklists Layovers, Traveling the World, and Beyond 139 The Pro's Guide jet Lag 140 Put Yourself in the Cockpit 142 Extreme Flying 146 Have No Fear 148 Trek to the Ta 150 Grueling Grouse Grind 153 The Beginning of Time 154 A Day of Infamy 157 Prepare for Blastoff 159 Photo Credits 162