Howard Fried, legendary flight instructor, shares what every pilot—the experienced as well as the newly minted aviator—most needs to know about flying: the invaluable lessons learned by trial and error, recounted through real-life experiences of hundreds of pilots. Everyone knows that a successful checkride just earns you the "license to learn."

Like an old-timer telling war stories in the hangar, Fried makes his points with vivid anecdotes collected from more than 50 years' cumulative experience as a pilot and flight instructor. Why not learn from other people's mistakes? Fried asks. It is much easier, and safer, than making them yourself. It could even save your life.