Instruments, Switches, Radios and Rudders (by Samuel Cole)

Samuel Cole’s Instruments, Switches, Radios and Rudders describes a high school dropout’s climb from ‘wrenching’ broken airplanes on bug-infested shorelines to command seats on airline jets. After surviving maggots and near-misses piloting northern Noorduyn Norsemans and Douglas DC-3s on wheel-skis, Cole entered Canada’s high-level world before moving into 29 years with Japanese carriers. Sadly, discriminatory age policies forced him from the Asia. Now 67 and with 33,250 flying hours logged (and counting), Cole flies business jets throughout North America from his home in Gloucester, Virginia. Eldest son of a bush pilot, his descriptions of life above Canada’s boreal backcountry blended with the inspirational days abroad, when employers told him expatriates in Japan were never promoted, will draw both bush flying and airline enthusiasts.

Price: $54.95 (includes shipping)