Understanding Air France 447

Bill Palmer

Jul 2013 · William Palmer

About this ebook

 The most comprehensive coverage to date of Air France 447, an Airbus A330 that crashed in the ocean north of Brazil on June 1, 2009, killing all 228 persons on board. 
Written by A330 Captain, Bill Palmer, this book opens to understanding the actions of the crew, how they failed to understand and control the problem, and how the airplane works and the part it played. All in easy to understand terms. 
Addressed are the many contributing aspects of weather, human factors, and airplane system operation and design that the crew could not recover from. How each contributed is covered in detail along with what has been done, and needs to be done in the future to prevent this from happening again. 

Also see the book's companion website: UnderstandingAF447.com 

Ratings and reviews

Excellent explanation and education for myself on the Airbus (A330) interface, the events that went on behind the scenes, and for the wealth of information provided not only for this topic but others. It is my hope that everyone will purchase this work and read it to detail. (Noting the many creased pages with highlighted statements on many of them.) This literature should be a required reading for all pilots no matter what rank: student, sport, private, instructor, commercial, or ATP.

A very technical and detailed look at this accident. Very informative read with lots of intersting technical details about the operation of modern airliners and this accident specifically. Even though it's audience is probably other pilots, it's explained well enough that someone with interest in aviation can follow along, and learn a lot at the same time. May the lessons from this tragic accident be conveyed well enough by this book that other airmen and their passengers benefit from it.

Brilliantly written for non professionals with clear explanations of the technical data and instrumentation. A must read for air travellers with an interest in how it works up front. Superb!

About the author

 Bill Palmer is a currently an A330 captain for a major international airline.

As a member of his airline's A330 development team for the introduction of the airplane to its fleet, he has been intimately involved in A330 fleet since 2002. He was the lead author and editor for the airline's A330 systems manual, and has written numerous A330 training publications. He has served as an airplane and simulator instructor, check airman, designated examiner, and also on training related projects from video production to simulator certification.

Bill started flying at the age of 15, soloed on his 16th birthday and completed his private certificate at 17. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and holds a BS in Aeronautical Science. He earned his flight instructor certificate in 1978 and has been instructing almost non-stop since then, while holding airplane, instrument, multi-engine, and ground instructor certificates. Besides light aircraft he has also taught on the 727, 757, A320, DC-10, and A330, and written manuals for the DC-10, A330, and B-787 fleets. He has also produced numerous training publications and videos for the various fleets as well.

Bill holds an ATP with type ratings in A320, A330, B757/767, B777, DC10, and commercial glider and flight engineer-turbojet ratings.