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Is It Safe?: Why Flying Commercial Airliners Is Still A Risky Business ¿ And What Can Be Done About It.
Captain Power-Waters covers every aspect of commercial aviation and brings the readerto the conclusion that it is a much more perilous means of transportation than generallysuspected. Most of the material in this book has never been touched upon in anyprevious book on air safety. The following are a few of the subjects that are documentedin this 1. There are no U.S. airports that have adequate firefighting procedures.2. Mechanically impaired airliners are allowed to fly when, in reality, they should begrounded. 3. The flushing of an airline toilet has imperiled the lives of passengersaboard the plane and people on the ground. 4. The air traffic control system is nearcollapse caused by the "bumbling" FAA. 5. Airline pilots are not thoroughly trained torecover from all modes of flight. 6. The Boeing 737 is the most popular airliner everbuilt, but it is potentially the most dangerous. "Captain Power-Waters brings an understanding and appreciation of Air Traffic controlfrom two as a pilot operating within the system; and as someone whopossesses a vast knowledge of the ATC's work."-William A. Faville, Jr., National Air TrafficControllers Association, Presidsent MKC. "If you are interested in the training of an airline captain, if you think your airline is safe,or if you think the FAA is totally interested in your safety, this is the book for you." -Carl T.Butterworth,Senior Captain,American Airlines, Ret.Brig.Gen.,ANG. "You obviously have done an extensive job researching this topic, and more importantly,it is clear you have lived the issues. I congratulate you on your effort."-Robert Roach, Jr., General Vice President, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
544 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 31, 2009
Tim Kern, Aero-News Network
Brian Power-Waters XIII has put together a remarkable number of incidents, official reports, and annecdotes that pretty much answer the question: Is It Safe? with a resounding "no". Whether it is airline practices, the two person cockpit crew, or just plain bad design, Captain Power-Waters is all over it. He's particularly hard on the FAA from a lot of different angles. He points out that the FAA doesn't follow its own rules! Basic premise: airlines and the FAA are in bed to make the airlines make money. Many airline managers would send their own mothers up in a flying piece of junk for an extra couple cents of profit! The FAA doesn't know what it is doing, and with few exceptions.
If you are still content, he sites many financial boondoggles - ASDE3, AWOG, FSAS, ITWS, and OAP as some examples, and how they grow in cost until they finally simply got replaced by newer technology costing taxpayers billions of dollars on bad programs.
This book reads like a hanger-talk bull session, where you're listening to a guy who knows his flying, knows his airplanes, knows his maintenance, and knows what he's talking about. He points out from the perspective of someone who knows that the good feeling we harbor about the safety of travel is largely based on luck.
Brian Power-Waters XIII has put together a remarkable number of incidents, official reports, and annecdotes that pretty much answer the question: Is It Safe? with a resounding "no". Whether it is airline practices, the two person cockpit crew, or just plain bad design, Captain Power-Waters is all over it. He's particularly hard on the FAA from a lot of different angles. He points out that the FAA doesn't follow its own rules! Basic premise: airlines and the FAA are in bed to make the airlines make money. Many airline managers would send their own mothers up in a flying piece of junk for an extra couple cents of profit! The FAA doesn't know what it is doing, and with few exceptions.
If you are still content, he sites many financial boondoggles - ASDE3, AWOG, FSAS, ITWS, and OAP as some examples, and how they grow in cost until they finally simply got replaced by newer technology costing taxpayers billions of dollars on bad programs.
This book reads like a hanger-talk bull session, where you're listening to a guy who knows his flying, knows his airplanes, knows his maintenance, and knows what he's talking about. He points out from the perspective of someone who knows that the good feeling we harbor about the safety of travel is largely based on luck.
March 31, 2009
Frederick F. St. Amour N.Y. Tracon, Memphis Center and San Juan International Tracon (retired)
Captain Brian Power-Waters has given the reader incite into the world of aviation politics and profit margins. He touches on the many faceted agencies,businesses and facilities that affect the operations and safety of aircraft operations. I started reading books by this author in 1972 when he wrote ' Safety Last ' and he has never disappointed me with his keen insight into the complex world of Aviation. As an Air Traffic Controller ,who had first hand knowledge into some of the chapters of two of his books, I can attest to the information being ' right on '. 'Margin for Error None' and Danger in the Air take you on a close in look at the inner workings of the FAA and the Airlines. You will enjoy his writings...
Captain Brian Power-Waters has given the reader incite into the world of aviation politics and profit margins. He touches on the many faceted agencies,businesses and facilities that affect the operations and safety of aircraft operations. I started reading books by this author in 1972 when he wrote ' Safety Last ' and he has never disappointed me with his keen insight into the complex world of Aviation. As an Air Traffic Controller ,who had first hand knowledge into some of the chapters of two of his books, I can attest to the information being ' right on '. 'Margin for Error None' and Danger in the Air take you on a close in look at the inner workings of the FAA and the Airlines. You will enjoy his writings...
March 31, 2009
Alex Michelini, Award-winning Investigative Reporter with the New York Daily News
Captain Brian Power-Waters has demonstrated once again that he is the Captain Courageous of the airways, telling it like it is about the enduring perils of commercial aviation, just as he has done in Safety Last and Margin For Error: None. When are the airline regulators going to listen to his warnings and avoid the needless loss of lives? He is one of America’s most respected authorities on the subject, one that I often relied upon in my own writings exposing the flaws of the industry. This book is another loud and clear wake-up call and a must-read for anyone who believes achieving greater airline safety is a mandatory and reachable goal
Captain Brian Power-Waters has demonstrated once again that he is the Captain Courageous of the airways, telling it like it is about the enduring perils of commercial aviation, just as he has done in Safety Last and Margin For Error: None. When are the airline regulators going to listen to his warnings and avoid the needless loss of lives? He is one of America’s most respected authorities on the subject, one that I often relied upon in my own writings exposing the flaws of the industry. This book is another loud and clear wake-up call and a must-read for anyone who believes achieving greater airline safety is a mandatory and reachable goal
March 31, 2009
Roy Boydston, General Aviation News
Readers will get an illuminating look at the risks involved in flying commercial airliners, from a line captain who spent his career doing just that.
. . . Power-Waters uses his captain’s eyes and mind to explain why things happen and what can be done to make the skies safer. . . .
In one chapter, he takes his readers along on a routine flight from Reagan National to Bradley Field in Connecticut, describing the crew at work and en route interaction with air traffic controllers.
At other places in the book, he looks at the transcripts from aircraft accidents, provides comments on the equipment and the conditions at the time of the accident, and gives an appraisal of the factors that helped bring the plane down.
Readers will get an illuminating look at the risks involved in flying commercial airliners, from a line captain who spent his career doing just that.
. . . Power-Waters uses his captain’s eyes and mind to explain why things happen and what can be done to make the skies safer. . . .
In one chapter, he takes his readers along on a routine flight from Reagan National to Bradley Field in Connecticut, describing the crew at work and en route interaction with air traffic controllers.
At other places in the book, he looks at the transcripts from aircraft accidents, provides comments on the equipment and the conditions at the time of the accident, and gives an appraisal of the factors that helped bring the plane down.
March 31, 2009
William A. Faville, Jr., President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Local MKG; Former Director, Safety and Technology, NATCA, AFL-CIO
I have known Captain Brian Power-Waters for many years and know that his dedication to research and finding the truth about "How Things Really Work" makes any work on a book very respectable. He brings an understanding and appreciation of air traffic control from two perspectives: as a pilot operating within the ATC system, and possessing a vast knowledge of the air traffic controller’s work inside the system. Captain Power-Waters understands and accurately conveys not only the problems with the air traffic control system, but also explains the positive aspects and reasons why the air traffic control system continues to operate today.
I have known Captain Brian Power-Waters for many years and know that his dedication to research and finding the truth about "How Things Really Work" makes any work on a book very respectable. He brings an understanding and appreciation of air traffic control from two perspectives: as a pilot operating within the ATC system, and possessing a vast knowledge of the air traffic controller’s work inside the system. Captain Power-Waters understands and accurately conveys not only the problems with the air traffic control system, but also explains the positive aspects and reasons why the air traffic control system continues to operate today.
March 31, 2009
Paul E. Stebelton, FAA Accident Prevention Specialist (13 years), Captain USAF Retired
I thoroughly enjoyed Captain Power-Waters’ latest book. Now the truth is out! What a great job of telling the truth, and in such an interesting fashion. Power-Water’ story telling holds the attention while putting out information that is valuable to all in aviation. Is It Safe? covers today’s primary concern of the risky business of flying commercial airlines, and what can be done about it. I am recommending my friends read it. Captain Power-Waters continues to do a service for all aviation by telling it like it is. This is overdue in aviation.
I thoroughly enjoyed Captain Power-Waters’ latest book. Now the truth is out! What a great job of telling the truth, and in such an interesting fashion. Power-Water’ story telling holds the attention while putting out information that is valuable to all in aviation. Is It Safe? covers today’s primary concern of the risky business of flying commercial airlines, and what can be done about it. I am recommending my friends read it. Captain Power-Waters continues to do a service for all aviation by telling it like it is. This is overdue in aviation.
March 31, 2009
Robert Roach, Jr., General Vice President, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM).
(IAM has over 14,000 mechanics and flight attendants in their association, and over 75,000 other airline employees)
Thank you for sending me a copy of Is It Safe? You obviously have done an extensive job researching this topic, and more importantly, it is clear you have lived the issues. I congratulate you on your effort.
(IAM has over 14,000 mechanics and flight attendants in their association, and over 75,000 other airline employees)
Thank you for sending me a copy of Is It Safe? You obviously have done an extensive job researching this topic, and more importantly, it is clear you have lived the issues. I congratulate you on your effort.
March 31, 2009
Senior Captain Ron Barnhart, US Airways
I pick up your book, open to any section, start to read it and I cannot put it down. What you write about brings back so many memories. Your book should be made part of the commercial pilots certificate. Everyone who flies for business or pleasure should read this informative book.
I pick up your book, open to any section, start to read it and I cannot put it down. What you write about brings back so many memories. Your book should be made part of the commercial pilots certificate. Everyone who flies for business or pleasure should read this informative book.
March 31, 2009
Robert P. Mark - Industry Expert, Business Aviation Pilot, Author, Owner of Jetwhine.com
Most pilots understand the inherent risks of flying airplanes, but most consmers do not. Brian has made it a career objective to teach the people who ride around in the back about the unknown of the airplanes and the airspace we all share once we're airborne. This book should be a must read.
Most pilots understand the inherent risks of flying airplanes, but most consmers do not. Brian has made it a career objective to teach the people who ride around in the back about the unknown of the airplanes and the airspace we all share once we're airborne. This book should be a must read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews