REVIEW: THE PILOT'S RADIO COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK 4th ED Revised  TAB 1994
Author: Paul E Illman    232 pages paperbound $17.95  ISBN: 0-07-031756-9

Proper use of the COM radios is one of the most important skills any pilot
must learn, especially in todays congested airspace.   Paul Illman's book
will teach the student pilot everything he or she needs to know about the
subject and will result in the ability to communicate confidently from the
cockpit.   Experienced fliers will find it the perfect source to keep current
with ever-changing procedures and policies.  

The revised 4th edition covers all the latest changes and most up-to-date
information on the new U.S. airspace designations, requirements for Mode C
transponders in Class B airspace (formerly TCA) and the consolidation of 
Flight Service Stations into regional Automated Flight Service Stations.

Some of the subjects covered in THE PILOT'S RADIO COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK
include MULTICOM, UNICOM, Flight Service Stations, ATIS, Transponders, 
Control Tower, Ground, Approach and Departure Controls, Airport Traffic Areas,
Control Zones, TCAs, ARSAs (with a detailed description of the FAA airspace
reclassification ruling), The "Center", also known formally as ARTCC and
what to do in the event of a radio failure.  Finally, Author Illman puts
it all together by taking the reader on a simulated cross-country flight
illustrating many practical examples of radio use and communication as
taught in the previous chapters.

The book is well written and illustrated and Ilman certainly knows his
stuff.  He also authored the PILOT'S AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL HANDBOOK which is
in its second edition and also published by TAB/McGraw-Hill.  I highy 
recommend this book to every current pilot - to learn and keep up with the
changes.  It's simply a matter of safety, especially in today's crowded
skies which are not so friendly anymore.

(C) 1995
Michael Crestohl
mc@shore.net