Jason Blair, long-time flight instructor, DPE and former executive director of National Association of Flight Instructors recently wrote an article in Sporty's Air Facts newsletter, titled "Five Aviation Books Every Pilot Should Read." Here's an excerpt: "...this book goes beyond basic proficiency and addresses the human elements that automation can never replace. By emphasizing awareness, anticipation, and reflection, Artful Flying enhances performance in high-pressure situations and helps pilots remain composed and adaptable. The book’s personal stories—moments of doubt, discovery, and refinement—offer insight without preaching, allowing readers to apply similar reflection to their own flying."

Another reader, Chris Bloom, writes: "I've spent my career around aviation—as a working pilot, instructor, and aircraft manager—and I've read a lot of flying books over the years. Very few, however, articulate what actually sits beneath good airmanship the way you do. Your reflections on judgment, restraint, humility, and personal accountability resonated deeply with me, not just as a pilot, but as a professional who thinks a great deal about decision-making and responsibility.

What struck me most was how clearly you captured the quiet moments of flying—the internal conversations, the discipline of saying "not today," and the long arc of becoming a better aviator over time. I found myself nodding along often, and in a few places, stopping to reflect on my own habits and assumptions in the cockpit.

This is the kind of book that doesn't just get read once—it becomes something you return to as your experience grows. I've already recommended it to other pilots/artists, and I expect I'll revisit it many times myself."

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This is no other aviation book like this. "Artful Flying" is unique because it addresses the real HUMAN PERFORMANCE part of flying that is rarely talked about -- and couldn't be more important -- especially as we become more inundated with screens and automation in our cockpits.

Captain Michael Maya Charles has lived aviation for almost 60 years, from tiny taildraggers to large helicopters to monster jets. His stories and wisdom come from making the mistakes, harvesting the gold that comes from those learning opportunities, and presenting them in a style that is clear and inviting. You might have read his work in such publications as AOPA PILOT Magazine, FLYING Magazine, AvWeb and Vertical Magazine. This book is his deep bow to his lifelong practice.