REVIEWS · IS IT SAFE?
FROM THE PRESS
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.
...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.
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.
Bill Lusby, Program Director and Host, Good Morning Annapolis, 1430 WNAV
...A very informative book, about a very technical industry, written in a way that holds your interest and is easily understood by everyone . . . Brian Power-Waters opens the eyes of the reader as he takes you behind the scenes of day-to-day commercial air travel. He thinks of everything and . . . makes you think twice . . . A Super book and the author, Captain Brian Power-Waters is a no-nonsense, terrific interview for any media. . . .
FROM THE PILOTS
Bill Finagan - Admiral, USNR, Retired and National Aerobatic Champion
Captain Brian (Power-Waters) takes you behind the scenes and let's you see what the FAA and airlines don't want you to know. A really great book!
Carl T. Butterworth, Senior Captain, American Airlines; Brigadier General Retired, Air National Guard
If you are interested in the training and pressures that an airline captain must endure, if you think that the airline of your choice is flying safe aircraft, if you think the Federal Aviation Administration is totally interested in your safety, this book will change your mind.
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.
Captain Edward Mergler, Pilot, United Airlines
Captain Power-Waters’ style of writing makes it hard to put down this informative book. Is It Safe? should be required reading for new hire airline pilots. All professional pilots will benefit from Captain Power-Waters experience and research.
FROM THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS
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.
FROM THE AIRCRAFT MECHANICS
George Crumb, Aircraft Mechanic, A.P.
Because Captain Power-Waters is also a licensed aircraft mechanic, he knows what he is talking about when it comes to maintenance. Most pilots think that it is much more demanding to fly than it is to fix. He had given the public the background information so that they can decide for themselves.
Steve Goodman, Line Captain, A&P, I.A.
Once again Captain Brian Power-Waters had the courage to take on the FAA. I hope his efforts are not in vain. The ALPA, IAM, and NATCA need to take a stand and do the right thing. Congratulations Brian for your great book. This is a must read for everyone!
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.
FROM THE PUBLIC
Lois Stark, General Manager, Barnes and Noble, Bel Air, MD
An extremely informative and disturbing book. Is It Safe is a must read for and passenger and aviation worker. (It is) hard to put down because you don't know what you'll find out next!
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.
FROM FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
Laurette Bollinger, Senior Flight Attendant, US Airways
This book covers everything you need to know about what really goes on in the air. A must-read for anyone flying! All flight attendants would thoroughly enjoy and learn from this excellent book. The book shows flight attendants in their true light, as crucial components to safe flying. The chapters dealing with flight attendants’ duties and experiences are right on the money! From how the flight attendant profession has changed over the years, to specific incidents involving heroics and steady nerves by flight attendants. This book is an excellent, clear, and concise read.
Carolyn Baker, Senior Flight Attendant, US Airways
I have flown with Brian for a number of years. When planes experience mechanical problems, passengers are mostly interested in not missing a connection. Maintenance supervisors enter the cockpit and try to talk Brian into flying the trip. With the constant pressure from passengers, maintenance, and dispatchers, it takes a good man to turn them all down. Brian sticks to his guns and refuses the trip! Brian's chapters on how heroic flight attendants can be in the face of emergency will take your breath away. This book is a great "page-turner". All who fly should read it.
Reviews: 93 Seconds to Disaster
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