Learning to Fly in Canada

Geoff Cragg is a tenured instructor in the Faculty of General Studies at
the University of Calgary in Alberta.

There are many books intended for student pilots, the most well-known
being From the Ground Up, but few written for the prospective student.
Learning to Fly in Canada aims to correct this situation and strongly
succeeds. Its greatest strength is that it provides both an overview of
the process of learning to fly and an evocative sense of the pleasures
of flight.

The book’s organization complements its purpose. Chris Hobbs delivers
candid and direct answers to a well-chosen list of frequently asked
questions, ranging from “Aren’t there a lot of difficult written
exams?” to “Isn’t flying dangerous?” He then describes the
training process (which leads to either the recreational permit or the
private pilot’s licence) and the various activities available to the
new pilot. He concludes with a short account of a weekend flight that
integrates many of the concepts and devices previously discussed under
training A brief glossary rounds out the volume.

Though not intended as a textbook, this is a highly informative
introduction to flying. The author displays an obvious command of and
enthusiasm for his subject, as well as a good deal of humor. It’s hard
to imagine a more engaging introduction to aviation.