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Paul A. Craig
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The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die 2nd Edition

by Paul A. Craig (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 867 ratings
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Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product.

WARNING!

Don't fly solo before you understand all the dangers of the killing zone.

It could save your life!

This survival guide for new pilots identifies the pitfalls waiting inside the killing zone, the period from 50 to 350 flight hours when they leave their instructors behind and fly as pilot in command for the first time. Although they're privately certified, many of these unseasoned aviators are unaware of the potential accidents that lie ahead while trying to build decision-making skills on their own -- many times falling victim to inexperience.

Based on the first in-depth scientific study of pilot behavior and general aviation flying accidents in over 20 years, The Killing Zone, Second Edition offers practical advice to help identify the time frame in which you are most likely to die. Author and aviation specialist Paul Craig offers rare insights into the special risks new pilots face and includes updated preventive strategies for flying through the killing zone . . . alive:

NEW to the Second Edition: Dealing with Glass Cockpits; GPS Moving Maps; Collision Avoidance Systems; including a new chapter on Available Safety versus Actual Safety

Alerts you to the 12 mistakes likely to kill you

Provides guidelines for avoiding, evading, diverting, correcting, and managing dangers

Includes a "Pilot Personality Self-Assessment Exercise"for an individualized survival strategy

Previous page
  1. ISBN-10
    0071798404
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0071798402
  3. Edition
    2nd
  4. Publisher
    McGraw Hill
  5. Publication date
    January 31, 2013
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    7.25 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  8. Print length
    304 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Dr. Paul A. Craig, a longtime pilot, flight instructor, aviation educator, and author, designed and conducted the extensive pilot study that uncovered the Killing Zone. Driven by a lifelong concern with the high accident rate among general aviation pilots, Dr. Craig has conducted research projects for universities, the FAA, and NASA that has targeted the problem. Since 2002, he has worked as the principal investigator for NASA projects investigating scenario-based flight training, competency-based flight training, Technically Advanced Aircraft, ADS-B implementation, and teamwork among aviation disciplines. Dr. Craig is an Airline Transport Pilot and Gold Seal Flight Instructor for multiengine, instrument, and seaplane. He has twice been named an FAA District Flight Instructor of the Year. Dr. Craig won the NASA “Turning Goals into Reality” award in 2005 and the Wheatley Award as the nation’s most outstanding aviation educator in 2004. He is a frequent speaker to flight instructors and others on improving flight training and safety. He is the author of Pilot in Command; Be a Better Pilot; Stalls & Spins; Multiengine Flying, 3rd Edition; and Controlling Pilot Error – Situation Awareness and Light Airplane Navigation Essentials.

About the Author

Dr. Paul A. Craig, a longtime pilot, flight instructor, aviation educator, and author, designed and conducted the extensive pilot study that uncovered the Killing Zone. Driven by a lifelong concern with the high accident rate among general aviation pilots, Dr. Craig has conducted research projects for universities, the FAA, and NASA that has targeted the problem. Since 2002, he has worked as the principal investigator for NASA projects investigating scenario-based flight training, competency-based flight training, Technically Advanced Aircraft, ADS-B implementation, and teamwork among aviation disciplines. Dr. Craig is an Airline Transport Pilot and Gold Seal Flight Instructor for multiengine, instrument, and seaplane. He has twice been named an FAA District Flight Instructor of the Year. Dr. Craig won the NASA “Turning Goals into Reality” award in 2005 and the Wheatley Award as the nation’s most outstanding aviation educator in 2004. He is a frequent speaker to flight instructors and others on improving flight training and safety. He is the author of Pilot in Command; Be a Better Pilot; Stalls & Spins; Multiengine Flying, 3rd Edition; and Controlling Pilot Error – Situation Awareness and Light Airplane Navigation Essentials.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ McGraw Hill; 2nd edition (January 31, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0071798404
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0071798402
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.25 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 867 ratings

About the author

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Paul A. Craig

Paul A. Craig

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Dr. Paul A. Craig is a professor, a writer, a researcher and an award winner – but most of all he is a flight instructor. A “Gold Seal” flight instructor with authorization to teach instrument, multiengine, seaplane and has won the FAA District Flight Instructor of the Year award twice. He also holds the Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and a Doctors degree in Education. Craig speaks at FAA safety seminars across the country and is the author of thirteen previous books including, The Killing Zone, Pilot in Command, and Multiengine Flying. He has worked for NASA as a Principal Research Investigator and for the FAA as a curriculum writer. He has won the Wheatley Award (Most outstanding aviation educator), the Sorenson Award (Most outstanding aviation researcher) and NASA’s “Turning Goals into Reality” award. The Tennessee Division of Aeronautics presented Dr. Craig with the Career Contributions to Aviation award in 2019. Today he is a university professor – teaching the next generation of aviation professionals.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
867 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Robert V.
5.0 out of 5 stars Every Pilot must read this
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
One of the most entertaining and eye opening aviation books that I have read. It's amazing that even when you are as safe as possible, there are things that you don't even realize that you are either doing wrong of just skipping. After reading this, I am by default a better pilot.
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Michael M
5.0 out of 5 stars Killing zone
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great pilot read- safety insights
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AA
4.0 out of 5 stars page 14
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
Don't get it, 15.4 deaths per 100m miles flown vs 1.41 deaths per 1m miles drien, and flying is more dangerous???

explain please
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Steve Schneider
5.0 out of 5 stars must-read for new and newly rated VFR/IFR
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
Straightforward and no-nonsense writing with good explanations. I would make this mandatory reading for VFR training and even newly-rated IFR pilots. Complacency can kick in if you forget just how important your focus should be on flying. This book proves it kills. Great resource for new pilots!
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Pitfalls to avoid as young pilot
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
I really enjoy reading this book. This is a trove of practicle informations regarding traps young pilots are not aware of. The cases reported and the analyzes that are made from them are really valuable. The people who made the mistakes reported here were not bad pilots but got stucked in situations that were hard to handle with and that can happen to about everybody. It is as if someone you know would tell you what crap he had to deal with and what he would do to avoid problems. I am glad to have made this purchase.
One person found this helpful
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modesto cardenas
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
Is a great book , very interesting. The shipping was quick and good shape
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Pen Name
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
Must read if you want to be a pilot, or a new pilot. In 2023 the book is a little dated, but it seems that the mistakes described in the book are all current and relevant.
One person found this helpful
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ss
3.0 out of 5 stars Good lessons but somewhat out of date
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
I found the anecdotes and lessons in this book to be helpful reminders, though I think the book takes the approach of scaring young pilots into not putting themselves into challenging situations rather than exploring what might happen if they do. I found Rick Durden’s books (The Thinking Pilots Manual) to be a much more methodical and practical examination of how pilots can keep themselves safe. Additionally, many of the references to FAA regs in this edition are now awfully out of date, it really underscores how much flying has changed in the last 20 years and as such, perhaps calls for a different approach to safety in general aviation than what this book offers.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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gines
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for all GA pilots
Reviewed in Spain on February 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
The books talk about stadistics from 2000 to 2011 period, although it's a bit old its still very good to see what mistakes bring to pilots to kill themseves. It's a good book for new pilots but also to experienced pilots that wanna be current/refreshed in safety issues.
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LVG
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, Excellent Educational Information and Best Service Ever
Reviewed in Canada on January 14, 2021
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Book arrived ahead of schedule in perfect condition. Excellent educational information gathered from this book. Highly recommended insights for avoiding air accidents at all cost.
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Daniel M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Must-read für jeden Piloten!
Reviewed in Germany on February 15, 2022
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Aus meiner Sicht ein absoluter "must-read" für jeden (angehenden) Piloten.
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mateus do pinho barbosa
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Reviewed in Brazil on November 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Livro muito bom para os profissionais da aviação, trata de assuntos importantes sobre a segurança de voo e destaca exemplos reais interessantes.
One person found this helpful
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Vincent Bonnet
3.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading
Reviewed in France on September 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
A bit too factual. The author seems to follow the sane template for all chapters. Still a useful read both for pilot wannabees or professionals.
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