Gene Whitt wrote:

Last year the FAA sent me a copy of a new IFR textbook. The
construction of the book was such that while reading and underlining
over one-third of the pages came loose. I found many editing mistakes,
conflicting explanations and such a mixture of alphabetic
acronyms that I was constantly making reference to the glossary.

The book of some 200+ pages was obviously written by several authors of
widely different backgrounds and experience. The book is "...designed as a
technical reference for professional pilots...". As such it leaves clarity
behind. The creation of 'new' terminology for old teminology seems to be a
primary purpose of the publication.

On my web site I have extruded as much sense as I could from the
writings and put it chapter by chapter on my web site in about 1/5
the verbage. www.whittsflying.com
The pages on my site by chapters a
Page 7.311 Chapter 1---IFR Operations in the National Aairspace System.
Page 7.312 Chapter 2--Takeoffs and Departures
Page 7.313 Chapter 3---Enroute Operations
Page 7.314 Chapter 4---Arrivals
Page 7.315 Chapter 5---Approaches
Page 7.316 Chapter 6---System Improvement Plans

I feel very critical toward the ability of the FAA's ability to make the
massive changes in the National Airspace System needed. The book seems
dedicated to retain all of the old while overlaying it with
the new. The old do not have the knowledge or skills to appreciate
the eliminations required to make the new work as it should.

Read and weep....


And, you have a reactionary Air Traffic Service that is very, very resistant to
any change, especially if they believe it will adversely affect staffing
levels, pay, or working conditions. That comes ahead of any need to serve the
aviation community.