Flight Times: Instruction and Inspiration from the 2nd Best Flight Instructor

by Paul A. Craig

Can we “train-out” the next aircraft accident while trying to understand the fascination of flight? Why do we yearn to fly? Because the emotions generated by flight, from fascination to fright, from inspiration to isolation are human emotions - we fly because it helps us feel what it is like to be human and to be the unique human that we are. I am an experienced “gold seal” flight instructor and author and I wrote this book both as a way to pass on safety information to current pilots, but also to inspire pilots – never forgetting why we want to fly in the first place. This book is filled with safety strategies and tips together with simple explanations of complex topics. But there are also stories of inspiration about flight and its history. When I met Chuck Yeager, did I cut him off in the traffic pattern and make him late for one of his record-breaking flights? Why do I own the original eulogy delivered at the funeral of Charles Lindbergh? How did I apprentice for the man who made a hand-shake deal with Orville Wright to display the Wright Flyer? What event took place that launched the career of Oprah Winfrey and helped me become a pilot at the same time? All these stories and more are here. This book is for flight instructors, pilots, people who dream of being a pilot and every aviation history enthusiast. After this book, you will be a safer pilot and a richer student of aviation.
“When did you first start believing in yourself? For me, it was when I added full power on runway 36 and flew an airplane into the sky, on my own, for the first time.”

538 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2022

Reviews

[Sadia Nahreen]

Right after I got my flight instructor certificate, I was looking for a book that could teach me a thing or two about how to instruct brand new pilots for flying. This book was way more than I could ask for. The author has dedicated his life to aviation instruction and education, with great enthusiasm and innovation, which I found beyond inspiring. He also pioneered approaches like Scenario based training, and many other concepts which are common practices today. I loved how he made sure his students not only can “fly” safely, but also understand the concepts thoroughly. I loved the concept of his courtroom drama about a delta(?) accident with students playing different characters in the story. And also the lift/drag competition with makeshift wind tunnel, along with the feather and brick award - just mind blowing! What an awesome way to make learning fun WHILE making sure students are really learning the materials!
A must read for all aviation enthusiasts.

[Floyd A. Craig]

Incredibly good read from an amazing author & flight instructor! Floyd Allen

[Jared]

pretty good. enjoyed hearing the stories as a cfi.