"Bush & Mountain Flying" 2nd edition.

A high quality 180 page full color paperback featuring over 50 color photo's and illustrations.
More info on the book also available on the Bush Air web site http://www.bush-air.com/books.htm

Okay. I'll bite. I just ordered it from Aircraft Spruce today. Will have a review later.

Hmmm, I don't know this guy from Adam but his first post is an ad promoting himself and his book. I could care less one way or another but I think if a guy was a frequent poster and we "knew" a little bit about him/his flying maybe more would "bite". I saw the video a while back about this guy and didn't see anything to be overly impressed. Maybe I'm just cranking this morning too.....where's that woman from that helicopter photo??? Maybe she could help make my day better.
WW

Okay. I finished reading the book, and here is the long & the short of it.

The short. If you are an experienced bush pilot, don't bother buying this book, unless buying it for a newb friend or an armchair bush enthusiast. By experienced bush pilot, I mean someone who on a regular basis takes off and lands at off-airport, unprepared, remote wilderness areas utilizing unimproved natural terrain....not prepared, grass airstrips with a 7 Eleven nearby. Also, the book costs $79.50. Anyone who already utilizes principles and practices outlined in the book probably wouldn't find much in the book to be of interest. However, a person just starting out in bush and mountain flying might want to plunk down the $79.50 (like I did) to see what's inside. I am a newb, a relatively low time pilot and new to bush and mountain flying, so I found the book interesting and will review it from a newb perspective and knowledge level.

The long.

First impressions: It's an attractive book with beautiful color photos on the front and throughout. I will make brief comments on each section, since some sections are better than others, but first...the title. "Bush & Mountain Flying, a comprehensive guide to bush flying and survival"

I thought it was basic, not comprehensive. This was not necessarily a fault of the book itself, but simply a misleading part of the title. Or maybe CC Pocock thought it was comprehensive? In any case, a person wanting a basic overview of some issues pertaining to bush and mountain flying and survival would find it in this book, but not a comprehensive treatment of the topic. Still, there are aspects of the book that are redeeming, and interesting. Unfortunately, the very first page was not..

The very first page was "About The Author" (along with a glossy photo of the author), which I found a bit narcissistic. Shouldn't the "About The Author" part be at the back of the book? I'm interested in the contents of the book, but I don't mean CC Pocock's disheveled, haven't-slept-in-ten-days-because-I-was-busy-flying-a-plane-armed-with-a-pistol and just blew up a vehicle look. (CC, get rid of the shoulder patches. You're making the rest of us look so un-stud-like). But the green shirt is cool. He might use it for camouflage when he's chasing bad guys, providing air support after a helicopter is on scene (or whatever else we may enjoy watching when the series comes out on a tv network). In any case, I think the merits of the book should be on the quality of information in the book, not what the author looks like. I just thought the "About The Author" part should have been in the back.

Introduction pages: The author, CC Pocock, seems to define "bush flying" according to his local geography and terrain. Hence, bush flying in South Africa is no less bush flying than the bush flying in Alaska and Canada. The book makes a point though to emphasize the bush and mountain flying described in the book takes place in a tropical environment. As such, there will be some differences in considerations of general weather, temperature, density altitude, aircraft handling and survival techniques. Since I live and fly in a tropical environment (Philippines), I was eager to get into the book and see what could apply to my flying location. Also, there are beautiful photos throughout the book, some showing the author's definition of a bush landing strip. They didn't look to bushy to me, but rather flat, cleared of obstructions and quite long. Even from a newb's perspective, these landing sites looked pretty tame.

Also, being a newb, I had no idea that a bush plane could have a little wheel up front. Amazing huh? Obviously, this works well for the author and in his type of environment. He has flown a multitude of aircraft and apparently finds that particular nose-wheel aircraft to be the best choice for his intended use. I don't fault the guy for this, but one wonders why he would not choose a taildragger. He never really gives an explanation. In the Philippines, I am friends with a missionary pilot who uses a Cessna 182 with a STOL kit (including a canard). It seems to work for his intended mission. 'Nuff said.

The author makes a safety disclaimer at the front of the book, pertaining to some of the STOL maneuvers he described. I think anyone who is interested in STOL ops has probably already tried the maneuvers he described in the book. There is nothing new there. However, newbs like me just need more practice at those techniques. And the last part of his disclaimer is a general encouragement for those who are interested in bush and mountain flying, to seek out personal instruction from a qualified, experienced instructor. I wholeheartedly agree.

Section 1: Aircraft Operations: I thought this section got off to an interesting start, since he leaped right into questions of high-wing or low-wing aircraft, tailwheel or nose-wheel, types and sizes of tires for bush ops, brakes, propellers et etc. Later in the chapter he got into different stol kits and then a brief overview of what he called a "stabilized approach", basically a controlled descent with power. He went through the gamut of short and soft field take-off and landing techniques, all pretty straightforward there. I found his description of how to do a "spot" landing informative. There are plenty of photos throughout the book, and including in this section. However, for illustrating STOL maneuvers, I think a diagram or a series of photos would have been better than a single photo of a plane in mid-flight during some, unknown stage of a STOL maneuver.

Where it really got interesting, at least for me, was when he got into the subject of density altitude AND how it affects the performance of the aircraft, including general rules to follow and basic calculations one can make. I learned a lot from this part of the chapter. I found myself wishing that the author would have included some kind of anecdotal/real life experiences to emphasize some of the topics in this chapter (and others), but one can only hope that later editions of the book will include such things.

Section 2: Mountain Flying: I thought this section was very informative. From a newb's perspective, I discovered that there is a lot more to mountain flying than one would expect. As with his treatment of density altitude, I found this topic of mountain flying to be delightfully detailed, and with a few diagram illustrations, quite informative. It may even be good review for the seasoned salty dogs of mountain flying. I found his coverage of the topics of mountain waves, down-drafts and updrafts, canyon flying, mountain breeze and valley breeze (think sea breeze and land breeze) as well as anabatic breeze (upward airdrafts on the side of a mountain exposed to the sun) was all interesting and useful information. Also, information and precautionary information about scud running (running under cloud cover), and emergency turns in clouds, and different types of 180 degree emergency turns was simply indispensable, but again, it is no substitute for getting up there with a qualified, experienced instructor for practice.

Section 2 also included the authors list of preferred survival equipment and tools. It was an extensive list. On my plane, I simply don't have room for all of what he listed. But one can go through the list and prioritize according your own location and situation or space and weight allowance on your own aircraft.

Section 3: Survival: I thought this section was a little brief. A topic like this would also be more interesting if it was enhanced with some real-life experiences, some kind of anecdotal support. For example, he describes how to make a solar still and a basic snare or trap. I don't know about you, but I would like to know the circumstances of when, where and why he needed a solar still and what animal he snared or trapped. The part dedicated to first aid treatment I thought could have been enhanced with photos as well. Lets see a broken arm being splinted, a bleeding wound having pressure put on it to control bleeding, a burn being treated, a person being brought back to life via CPR et etc. Not on his list of recommended survival equipment, but something I thought would be a good contribution, would be an AED (automatic external defibrillator). They are a little pricey, but fortunately not too heavy or bulky. Depending on the circumstances, and as long as the battery is useful, these units can be effective for heart attack patients until professional medical attention or advice can be obtained.

Section 4: Camping: I think anyone who is interested in bush and mountain flying probably don't need a primer on camping. However, I did find it interesting to learn how to make an outdoor toilet.

Section 5: Aircraft Technical: This was an interesting topic, with some good information in it presented in a manner that was easy to read and understand. In fact, the info contained in this brief section could (should) be easily made into a kind of pocket pamphlet of sorts, something to stick in your flight pocket inside the plane. He listed some common mechanical issues (low rpm, loss of mag, rough running engine, flat tire, bleeding brakes, propeller damage et etc) and recommended improvised fixes until proper repairs can be obtained. All useful tips, especially for newbs like me.

Conclusion:

Would I pay $79.50 again for a book like this? No. Much of the material is probably already known by most so-called bush pilots, armchair wannabe's and maybe a few newbs too. Do I regret buying it? No. I am interested in different perspectives on bush and mountain flying. CC Pocock's perspective is only one, and of particular interest to me since I live and fly in a similar tropical environment.

Since I learned some things from some of the sections, I give it a thumbs up, though mostly since I got so much from the mountain flying/weather section. And also, any time you can learn something that will save your life and it only costs $79.80, well I think that's a good deal. You never know. I might need the paper from the book to help start a fire. But for experienced bush pilots, $79.50 would probably be better spent on gas and munchies.

Wow, thorough review, thanks. I think I wouldn't mind reading it, but not for that much money..I'll wait for a used one or something.

Wow, thorough review, thanks. I think I wouldn't mind reading it, but not for that much money..I'll wait for a used one or something.

I'll sell you mine!

Bush Air wrote:A new book, "Bush & Mountain Flying" by CC Pocock, South Africa, is now available from Aircraft Spruce & Speciality http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/bvpages/bushmountainflyingbook.php

A very high quality 180 page full color paperback featuring over 50 color photo's and illustrations.
More info on the book also available on the Bush Air web site http://www.bushair.co.za

Author CC Pocock, is based on the Barberton Airfield in South Africa and specializes in Advanced Bush & Mountain flying training. His book focuses on operations in the subtropical and tropical regions of the world. There are a few other separate books on bush, mountain, float or ski flying available. However, the content applies mainly to the far northern regions of America, in particular Alaska. Africa for example is so vastly different in so many ways that most of the information found in theses books are totally irrelevant to the African Bush Pilot. The book focuses mainly on the highly advanced techniques and skills required to operate safely in remote and extreme conditions.

A comprehensive guide to bush flying and survival.

No thanks --------

You guys are tough. Poor guy is trying to make a buck. But almost $80.00 sounds pretty steep.