Our pick of the best flight-related tomes this issue CARGOPILOT by Christiaan van Heijst (published by Astral Horizon, available from www.amazon.co.uk, 30) Christiaan van Heijst has mastered the lens as well as the flight controls (see feature on page 38). A likeable guy who prefers his flying varied and adventurous, his debut book is a deluxe photographic journey around the world. As a flying photographer, he records views were familiar with but have seldom captured at a professional level. Its a record of what we do; and an explainer to the outsider. Theres discussion of the 747-4/8 and expansive fish-eye views of tempestuous conditions. Van Heijst writes evocatively on traversing the globe and mastering machines, explaining the peculiarities of freighter lifestyle. He details eye-opening VFR navigation in the F50 in Afghanistan, and propping up domestic routes in Africa, in stark contrast to plying European routes on the 73. Detailing the bond shared by cargo crews, he is welcomed aboard a North Korean Il-76. Theres also a section on seeing mysterious lights at night over the Pacific, and possible explanations. My only extra curiosity would be the unusual loads hes shepherded. Whats apparent, though, are Van Heijsts love of the 747 and his breadth of skills: high-altitude airports, winter ops, Pacific time-zone bending and thunderstorm dodging over equatorial Africa often in the same trip. Review by Robin Evans, Senior Log Contributor THE TRANS-ATLANTIC PIONEERS By Bruce Dutton-Hales (available from www.pen-and-sword.co.uk, 20, ISBN 1526732173) Bruce Dutton-Hales has compiled a masterwork. His book features the stories and key aspects of all first crossings, including flying boats, airships, piston-engined airliners and, ultimately, Concorde. The author is an accomplished writer and journalist who is clearly passionate about aviation. His subject matter has been researched and written about in great detail; nevertheless the book is a pleasure to read, in that many historical facts and figures are embellished with amusing anecdotes and quotes. The story of One Way Corrigan was particularly funny, and Dutton-Hales writing style is to be commended. Many aviation publications are written by notable pilots who, unfortunately, lack the skills with the written word that are demonstrated here. A few more photographs would not have gone amiss, but I consider The Trans-Atlantic Pioneers to be an essential part of any collection devoted to aviation history. Review by David Keen, Log Board member Would you like to review a book for The Log? If so, simply email TheLog@balpa.org BOOKS Book review