Flight Lessons 1: Basic Flight: How Eddie Learned the Meaning of it All

As an attentive reader of code7700, Eddie's aviation website, I ordered "Flight Lessons 1: Basic Flight, How Eddie learned the meaning of it all" as soon as it was available. The 30 chapters are arranged in chronological order, starting with Eddie leaving his home in Hawaii and attending Purdue on an AF ROTC scholarship and ending with assignment back to Hawaii. Each chapter starts with personal story, aviation related, and then concludes with technical notes on some flying subject pertinent to the personnel story. The technical notes are illustrated with diagrams from USAF publications, flight manuals, and the USN's Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators. The technical notes are written with engineer's precision, but are not too technical. They are the notes you wished you would have taken in pilot training. As a USAF pilot following in Eddie's footsteps a couple of years behind him, I found the personal stories the most interesting, as they describe the world of the SAC tanker pilot that has since vanished. Without giving anything away, the books subtitle contains the most memorable lesson offered in this volume. It is the difference between pilots you can trust and those who seem to be cruising through on luck. Looking forward to subsequent volumes.

I enjoyed reading this book. I have been a fan of the authors website for years. The stories are really interesting to read, and he does a really nice job of breaking down the aerodynamics and some of the math behind it without this book becoming another Aerodynamics For Naval Aviators. I have bought his second book and will eventually buy all of them.

In the navy we called them sea stories, they always conveyed a learning point that made you think. This story telling was perfect to the topic I truly enjoyed the point of view that put the reader in the moment and rooting for the under dog. I experienced the 2nd Lt life myself but at a much older age in the Army, it was fun learning and earning the respect of those I worked with. Now it's time to learn all there is about flying, this book was fun and of great interest to me in my current endeavors to finish my IFR, commercial and instructor ratings.

Equal parts biography/ narrative and science of flight. Told in a very engaging style. Lots of pictures and diagrams to make science more palatable.

As a professional pilot I was a little skeptical that I would find the book useful. I was wrong! This book (and all of his books and website) I have found to be very good, packed with useful information for any level of pilot. I wish I had come across a book like this earlier in my career. The book is engaging with the stories and then gives the practical lessons at the end of each chapter. I will buy all of his books that come out.

What a wonderful book, the kind you don't want to put down. "Eddie" takes you on a great ride, his ride to becoming an Air Force Pilot. The stories not only tell of the technical aspects of pilot training, but they also examine some of the relationships Eddie makes along the way. James gives us all the gift of both learning and laughing at the same time, and he shares the "Meaning of it All." I look forward to reading the other volumes as they become available.

Light hearted fun and very informative. You'll love Eddie and his adventures and learn a lot about the basics of flying.

Should be required reading for every new Air Force pilot trainee!

a fabulous book, funny, educational and a bit of a misnomer.. 'basic flight' does not represent how deep Eddie (james) goes into flying and navigating but 'lessons' are wrapped around interesting real world anecdotes from his own experience, and many drawings. i happily skipped most of the math theory though.

A real good book.I'm looking forward to buy his other books