Book Reviews

The book deals with 155 significant Australian airports, and EVERY aviation frequency used thereon. Also included are worldwide international HF aviation frequencies, volumes, airliner registrations matched to selcal codes, Skycom frequencies and a massive glossary of aeronautical terminology.

Military buffs will be beside themselves, with RAAF tactical callsigns and even US Fleetsatcom, Space Shuttle and Soviet cos- monaut frequencies.

Available direct from Airband Communications, PO Box 301, Chester Hill, NSW 2162 for $24. 95 plus $3. 00 p&p.

 Coast Too Long: Defending Aus- Tralia Beyond the 1990s:

Ross Babbage A Coast Too Long is a book that needed to be written. In a very readable and well set out text, Ross Babbage argues that not only have Australia’s defence priorities fundamentally altered during recent years, but that the defence forces now need to be restructured to suit this change.

The 231 page book deals with all aspects of Australia’s defence and military interests. It concerns not only continental Australia, but places particular emphasis on our island territories and neighbors to the north which are, without a doubt, of critical importance to the defence of Australia. Babbage successfully argues that Australia needs a strong defence force, that attack logically would come from the north or perhaps north-east, and that we should be looking further afield than our closest neighbors for a potential threat. The author discusses the roles of equipment already operated by the Australian Defence Forces, what equipment should perhaps be considered for acquisition, and how Australia’s own geographical situation could be one of its best defenses.

The text is supported by high quality diagrams to enhance the book’s argument. Of particular interest are those showing the importance of the little appreciated Cocos and Christmas Islands in not only protecting our western sea approaches, but providing a base for longer ranging offensive operations. They show, for instance, that a P-3 Orion operating from these islands can patrol an area even beyond the coast of southern India, while an F-111 can operate well into southern Asia without air refuelling. The importance of these strategic islands will actually be the focus of a major feature in a coming edition of AA. Babbage’s book deals with other aspects of interest to the defence forces. The location of airfields capable of providing bases for all RAAF aircraft types are shown, while less obvious yet important concerns such as the availability of water receive proper attention.

A Coast Too Long is definitely worth reading. It is perhaps the first publication in recent times to adequately describe Australia’s defence needs and priorities in a way that the lay reader can fully appreciate.

Published by Allen & Unwin and available from most retail book stores for $18. 95.

Desert Airforce Montham Afb Arizona:

Chinnery DAVIS Phillip Another excellent Airlife publication, this being a photographic record of aircraft stored at Davis Montham in recent years. All photographs are in colour and of high quality. The aircraft are as varied as they are interesting. Some are stored for possible reuse, others are derelict. All-except for the C-47 Skytrain-are of postwar vintage. The photos represent a fine selection of post-1950s aircraft and provide a good insight into the fate of so many American warplanes. Particularly interesting are the more modern types-such as the F-4 Phantom il – which now occupy much space at Davis Montham. RRP is $27. 50, available from Princeton Books, PO Box 24, Cheltenham 3192.

Aviation Law for Pilots – 7th Edition:

SET Taylor and H A Parmar, revised by RB Underdown.

This is the seventh edition of this publication, first published in 1971 but constantly updated to take into account new developments and definitions in aviation law.

It is aimed at pilots of all levels, but unfortunately is a British publication and therefore aimed primarily at British pilots. It is thus not of great relevance to Australian pilots, though many of the laws are the same or at least similar. The aviation laws of Britain are comprehensively covered by a text that proves to be easily read. The book itself is quite interesting, and for those seeking to compare laws is recommended. A book for those with an interest in foreign aviation laws, or perhaps pilots planning to do some flying in Britain some time in the future.

RRP is $38. 00, available from Blackwell Scientific Publications, PO Box 378, Carlton South 3053.

Airline Route Planning:

John H H Grover This book is aimed at readers involved in the air transport industry, in particular those at management level who seek a better understanding of flight operations.

Chapters include a general introduction to airline route planning, documentation needed when planning a route, aspects of the flight to be considered including distance, aircraft performance, airfield performance and emergency procedures, plus the assessing and proving of routes. The book is written in Britain, but it is not tied to any national requirement; instead, it is based on general, accepted principles of route planning. It is well written, so the text is not difficult to read or comprehend.

Being only an introduction to the subject, this book will not benefit people already involved in this area of work. For those seeking only to better understand this important aspect of airline operations, however, Airline Route Planning should prove most useful. RRP is $61. 00, available from Blackwell Sci- entific Publications, PO Box 378, Carlton South 3053.

 Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics:

J Seddon Abook aimed at the needs of undergraduate and postgraduate students, although it could prove useful to others involved in aero-dynamic design, those needing a refresher course in the basics of the subject, or simply readers who have a very keen interest in helicopters and a sound understanding of high level mathematics.

The book gives an account from first principles of helicopter aerodynamics, concentrating on the Sikorsky form of single main rotor with tail rotor. It deals with the aerodynamics of the rotor in hover, vertical flight, forward flight and climb. Characteristics of the helicopter, its performance, stability and control are discussed, as is the important field of aerodynamic research. This is all aimed at helping the reader come to terms with what is essentially a difficult subject.

Although we are assured the book avoids lengthy mathematical treatments, any reader will need a strong understanding of mathematics. It is certainly not for those after some light reading.

Available from Blackwell Scientific Publications, PO Box 378, Carlton South 3053 for $59. 95.