from Hacker News

William Langewiesche, the 'Steve McQueen of Journalism,' Dies at 70

by rsingel on 6/17/25, 3:50 AM with 8 comments

• by buildsjets on 6/17/25, 4:49 AM

  As the article notes, besides his own extensive career as an author of aviation literature and analysis, he is he son of Wolfgang Langewiesche, whose book “Stick and Rudder” probably provides the most layperson accessible explanation of aircraft stability and control.

  https://www.docdroid.net/IevViY7/stick-and-rudder-an-explana...

• by ablation on 6/17/25, 7:53 AM

  Phenomenal journalist, wonderful storyteller. Will be missed. Some highlights:

  https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/04/inside-el-faro-the-w...

  https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2004/05/a-sea-s...

  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/18/magazine/boeing-737-max-c...

  https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2009/06/us-airways-200906

  https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2009/01/air_crash200901

• by gausswho on 6/17/25, 2:58 PM

  This one hits. I'm so grateful for this person's labors. A rare author whose name I see and make a small sound of excitement, then grab a fresh coffee and huddle up for a satisfying hour+ journey of cinematic learning. Find a hideaway and do pick up anything he's written on a subject of interest you.

• by mitchbob on 6/17/25, 5:41 AM

  His breakthrough for the Atlantic, on the Sahara desert:

  https://longform.org/posts/the-world-in-its-extreme

• by maybelsyrup on 6/17/25, 4:31 AM

  Man I was just thinking the other day that I was looking forward to his eventual writeup of whatever comes of this Air India accident. RIP to a real one.

• by toomuchtodo on 6/17/25, 2:12 PM

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Langewiesche

• by smartbit on 6/17/25, 7:12 AM

  https://archive.is/W36xw