What makes Handling the Big Jets unique is its tone. Davies was a test pilot for the CAA, but he writes not as an academic, but as a wise, blunt uncle. He eschews aerodynamic formulae in favor of memorable, visceral warnings. For example, his discussion on crosswind landings is legendary: he warns that trying to "crab" a swept-wing jet and then kick it straight at the last second (as done in light aircraft) is a recipe for a wing strike. He advocates the "wing-down, top-rudder" sideslip, even if passengers spill their coffee, because it guarantees the upwind engine pod doesn’t hit the tarmac.
D.P. Davies’ Handling the Big Jets is a foundational 1967 text detailing the aerodynamic and operational differences between piston and jet-powered aircraft. It focuses on critical factors like swept-wing behavior, high-altitude stability, and engine spool-up times, serving as a primary training resource for jet transitions. Access the full text via the Internet Archive . Handling the Big Jets.pdf