The fourth edition of the perennial best-seller. Fully updated, with everything the private pilot needs to know about flying IFR, such as handling emergencies, filing flight plans, understanding IFR communications, navigating, and flying more efficiently. Polish and improve your instrument-flight skills with the proficiency exercises. Glossary of aviation terms included.

Ever since the pioneering days of Jimmy Doolittle, pilots have been able to take off, fly, and land without seeing a thing. But you have to be a proficient instrument pilot to pull it off successfully. Instrument Flying is the bible of IFR flight. This latest edition has complete, up-to-date information about every facet of instrument flying, from airways to Zulu time. It provides any pilot, from novice to old hand, with all that is needed to sharpen pilot skills at ``flying blind'' and to handle any emergency. It features: explanation of the VOR system, RNAV, Loran, and GPS navigation; a complete glossary of terms and abbreviations; valuable proficiency exercises; preflight checklists; case histories of pilots who were involved in IFR accidents. Taylor covers recent developments in IFR technology, new IFR terms, and advances in flight systems and equipment. Climb to and maintain a higher level of efficiency and safety--become a good instrument pilot.

• I recommend it to any pilot who wishes to be at their best in the instrument system.'' -John L. Baker, former president fo the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

A real understanding of the principles of flight and the operations associated with flying the way it's done today — this book deals with these important basics as they apply to practical matters in the cockpit. How well you handle the airplane depends largely on your knowledge of what's happening and your understanding of the laws of aerodynamics. This book will help you avoid guesswork and put you in touch with true professional skills and attitudes. Beginning pilots can absorb new pieces of knowledge and experienced aviators can gain insight to improve their proficiency. Understanding Flying will give something practical to every pilot, and provide dozens of maximum-performance fine points for high-time fliers:
As a pilot, you can never know it all. But you can work consistently on your weak areas and build on what you already know. This is the purpose of Understanding Flying — to help you better understand the important facts of flying so that you can become a better, safe, and more confident pilot.

• The airplane — how it flies, what affects performance, loading, and propulsion systems.
• Flying the airplane — takeoffs and landings, flight instruments, weather, navigation, and flying when you can't see outside.
• The airspace — all about airports and rules of the air.
• The pilot — certification and staying current, psychological factors and emergencies.