I've read the book (actually 2-3 times) but I have never watched the full version of the movie. I'm wondering if it would actually be worth my time to watch. The book was great and I am not a pilot.
The book itself was actually an autobiography of Ernest K Gann's experiences as a pilot. I highly recommend it even if you have little interest in airplanes.
I used to be a commercial pilot before changing careers but I've never read the book which is kind of odd because most of the pilots I used to work with raved about it. I have read other books by Gann, as most pilots probably have, at least from my generation.
That being said, this is one of my all time favorite movies since the first time I saw it as a child and more so after becoming a pilot myself. I highly recommend it although I will warn that all the guys I knew who loved the book tended not to like the movie. Apparently all they have in common is the title.