Captain Mike Ray is a retired airline captain, military aviator, and one of aviation's most prolific and beloved training authors. With over 25 years in the cockpit of commercial jet airliners and a distinguished career as a U.S. Navy pilot, Captain Mike brings a rare combination of real-world experience, technical depth, and genuine passion for aviation to everything he writes.

A veteran of the USS Hornet's 1965 Far East cruise, Captain Mike flew anti-submarine warfare missions from carrier decks during one of the most intense periods of the Cold War — experiences he has chronicled with honesty and humor in his naval aviation memoirs.

In his airline career, Captain Mike flew the Douglas DC-6/7, DC-10, Boeing 727, 737, 757, 767 and 747, accumulating the kind of systems knowledge and procedural expertise that only comes from thousands of hours in the left seat. That knowledge became the foundation for the University of Temecula Press library — a growing collection of pilot handbooks, training syllabi, and aviation guides trusted by airline pilots, flight instructors, and flight simulation enthusiasts worldwide.

Captain Mike's writing style is unlike anything else in aviation literature. Technical without being dry. Authoritative without being intimidating. Entertaining without sacrificing accuracy. Whether you're preparing for a type rating checkride, building your flight simulation skills, or simply fascinated by the world of aviation, Captain Mike's books meet you where you are — and take you further than you expected.

Airline Pilot Handbooks & Training Syllabi

  • Boeing 737 Classic Pilot Handbook: Simulator and Checkride Procedures
  • Boeing 737NG Training Syllabus for Flight Simulation
  • Boeing 747-400 Pilot Handbook (Color & Standard Editions)
  • Boeing 757/767 Pilot Handbook (Color Edition)
  • Airbus A320 Pilot Handbook (Full Color) — Best Seller
  • Airbus A300 Sim-Flying Guide (Color Edition)

Flight Simulation Guides

  • Sim-Pilot's Guide 737-300: IXEG X-Plane Version
  • Flying the Boeing 700 Series Flight Simulators
  • 737NG Full Scale Fixed Base Flight Sim

Naval Aviation Memoirs

  • Stoofdriver: Flying the Grumman S-2 Tracker
  • Stoofdriver's Journal: USS Hornet Far East Cruise 1965

University of Temecula Press — Aviation training materials written by a pilot, for pilots.
A full-page editorial-style travel feature about a United Airlines Boeing 747, with a large photo of the airplane flying over water, headline text reading 'WELCOME TO THE FLIGHT DECK,' a smaller photo of Mike Ray in the cockpit, and several paragraphs of copy on a dark background.