Our pick of the best flight-related tomes this issue V2 by Robert Harris (published by Cornerstone, Waterstones, 9.99) Would you like to review a book for The Log? If so, wed love to hear from you. Simply email TheLog@balpa.org This thriller is so tense that when you break off from reading it, you cant wait for the chance to continue. Some readers may prefer a factual book, which recounts the detailed historical background to a known event, to a thriller. This book is both! Set late in World War II, chapters weave between the Nazi Vengeance Weapon V2 rocket launch sites and British efforts at counter-measures. Each side is represented by the principal fictional characters, who dont meet until the very end. Fact and fiction are entwined with consummate dexterity. For the Nazis, a fictional scientist works under Wernher von Braun against the backdrop of known scenarios and with mention of other real people. On the British side, the fictional photo-reconnaissance interpreter operates in a setting that resembles what is known about the intelligence services of the time. The description of an RAF transport flight in a C-47 is so vivid as to feel like you are airborne (nothing conflicted with an actual DC-3 flight I went on!). I only found one factual error and a second cause for uncertainty, but these did not detract from the suspense, education and enjoyment. If only school history lessons had been like this! I whizzed through this book. I encourage you to do the same. B O O K R E V I E W / O B I T UA RY Book review By Godfrey Manning, BALPA member and Aircraft Museum curator Obituary Captain Eric Moody, 1940-2024 Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped. We are doing our damnedest to get them going again. I trust you are not in too much distress. Famous words made over the PA in June 1982, and ones that all aviators pray we never have to utter. Unfortunately for Captain Eric Moody, this was very much his reality. BA009 had departed from Kuala Lumpur bound for Perth, Australia, when it encountered volcanic ash over Indonesia. The aircraft was a 747-200 series and, ultimately, suffered a four engine failure, effectively turning the majestic queen of the skies into a glider. From 37,000ft, Eric and his crew quickly ascertained that they had about 23 minutes of gliding time and a maximum distance of 91nm. Because of high terrain of about 11,000ft, the crew decided that if the aircraft could not stabilise by 12,000ft they would turn and prepare to ditch into the sea. At 13,000ft, engine four was restarted, followed by engine three, then the remaining engines, although engine two later surged and was shut down. The flight diverted into Jakartas Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport and intended to fly an ILS. Unfortunately, the glideslope was inoperative and the crew were forced to fly a Localiser/DME approach virtually blind, as the windscreens were almost fully obscured. Moody described this approach as a bit like negotiating ones way up a badgers arse. In the aftermath of this event, Eric Moody received numerous awards, including the Queens Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. He returned to flying shortly afterwards and served the remainder of his flying career in British Airways. He also served on the BALPA British Airways Company Council for several years. It is with enormous regret that this obituary for Eric has had to be written. The Log had intended to interview him for a feature, but, tragically, he died a few days beforehand. Husband to Pat, father of two and a friend to many, Captain Eric Moody was a skilled aviator and his passing is a tragic loss to the aviation world. He will be missed by many. By Captain Jeremy Feldman If you would like to share your memories of Eric, please email us at TheLog@balpa.org and we will publish them in the next issue. THE LOG Sum 24 pp57 Book Review : Obit.indd 57 57 13/06/2024 12:22