Capt. Lumba has been a pilot, union leader and airline executive. He is one of Indian aviation’s legends. His memoir will take you through the by-lanes of Indian Civil Aviation in all its glory. The book explains the Pilot Strike of 1992, the creation and success of Alliance Air (possibly India’s first low-cost carrier), the operational start-up of IndiGo, India’s premier and most successful low-cost carrier. Finally, it covers the safe landing at Laksh Farms, a place termed as a piece of heaven on earth! Readers will find this book more than just a memoir. There are valuable lessons of personal behaviour and integrity that are invaluable to ruminate about. In addition, the historically accurate perspectives of starting and running an airline provide valuable tips for students studying aviation management or even for executives operating in that space today.

The author has experienced many close shaves with death, which are listed herein and good advice is presented to instruct others in meeting goals with determination and perseverance.

Flying has always been a way of life for me, handed down to me by my father. I've shared my life of aviation for all to read. I've always enjoyed flying even though flying is and has always been dangerous! These stories are from my personal experiences! After reading my own stories, I realized just how lucky my life has been! Thanks be to GOD!

For many years, much of northern Minnesota's wilderness was accessible only by small seaplane. The pilots who flew the area developed the instincts and ability to fly with few or no instruments in all types of situations and weather. Bush Pilots captures the fierce spirit of these remarkable pilots and their adventures, wrecks, humor and rescues. Read their compelling stories, and grab a cup of coffee and listen to the legendary pilots' story-swapping session on the included CD.

When people get together around southern Arizona, there's a good chance that somebody will say, "That reminds me of the time I flew with Ike Russell. . . . " A backcountry pilot famous for his jaunts into the wildest, most remote regions of the borderlands, Alexander "Ike" Russell has become something of a legend since his death in 1980, and the stories surrounding his flights never fail to amaze. This book combines biography and oral history by offering a wide range of anecdotes and remembrances about Ike by friends and family. Many describe the great adventures and gut-wrenching close calls that have become enshrined in local folklore as classic "Ike Russell stories," in all their hair-raising and hilarious splendor. Russell was an easterner who moved to Arizona for his health and got his pilot's license in 1948—despite suffering from a respiratory disorder that would have kept other men firmly anchored to the ground. Over the years he flew scientists and other scholars to remote field locations in Mexico's Gulf of California and Sierra Madre Occidental that otherwise might not have been investigated. He often landed on short and dangerous airstrips and never seemed to mind running out of gas, getting caught without provisions, or attempting night landings in unlighted terrain. He took along a teapot wherever he went—and wherever he stopped, his first priority was to brew a quick cup. Backcountry Pilot is the story of a larger-than-life adventurer, with those who knew Ike sharing tales tall and true about his famous exploits, brushes with fate, and sometimes narrow escapes from the jaws of disaster. It includes reminiscences by such scientists and friends as botanist Richard Felger, whom Ike frequently flew down to Seriland; ethnohistorian Bernard Fontana, whom Ike took to Tarahumara country; and paleoecologist Paul Martin, who talked Ike into a nine-month trip through Africa over totally unfamiliar terrain. A concluding chapter by Thomas Bowen offers a brief biographical sketch of Russell. Ike Russell was a central figure for a generation of people who studied the southwestern desert and who helped others see it as a biological treasure rather than a wasteland. More than a highly skilled bush pilot, he was an extraordinary human being who touched the lives of everyone he met. For those who never got the chance, Backcountry Pilot secures Ike Russell's legacy in the desert skies.

When pilots sit around an airport or get together at a hotel lounge for beers or cocktails, they're almost certain to regale each other, and anyone else who will listen, with embellished tales of their greatest aviation exploits. The longer these stories continue, the more the similarities grow between the pilots' war stories and fish stories. As the night wears on, the exploits they share are likely to grow more and more elaborate and outlandish. In the spirit of those war stories, author Jim Lewis, who has worked as a professional pilot since the mid-sixties, offers his share of stories from his experiences. Many of these short stories are the result of mistakes in judgment, while others arose from deliberate decisions to proceed made from ignorance. A few were simply experiences that came with being a professional pilot, and two or three were blatant rule breaking. Lewis recalls landing in a soybean field, buzzing a nuclear submarine, flying under a bridge, running low on fuel, and tasting life in the cockpit of a jet liner. Some of his tales are humorous, while others take on a more dangerous nature. All of them, however, offer a lesson for others to learn.

The Smell of Kerosene: Pilots "Day at the Office" serves as a seminal collection that bridges the esoteric world of aerospace engineering with the palpable, sensory experiences of flying. This anthology ingeniously collates a variety of narratives that span diverse literary forms, from firsthand anecdotal accounts to meticulous technical descriptions, thereby offering readers a rich tapestry of the life and challenges facing pilots and aerospace engineers. The inclusion of real-life missions, experimental flights, and the gritty details of aeronautical innovation provides standout moments that capture the essence of aviation and space exploration. The contributing authors, representing a collective from the esteemed National Aeronautics and Space Administration alongside noted aviators such as Donald L. Mallick and historian Peter W. Merlin, bring unparalleled authenticity and expertise to the anthology. Their backgrounds, ranging from test pilots to aerospace engineers, embody a confluence of historical, cultural, and technological milestones in aviation history. This convergence of diverse narratives not only aligns with but also enriches the readers understanding of the complexities and triumphs inherent in the field of aeronautics. For enthusiasts of aviation, history, and engineering, this anthology offers a unique opportunity to dive into the multifaceted and often underrepresented aspects of aerial and space exploration. It is an essential read for anyone looking to expand their knowledge beyond the conventional narratives, providing a broad spectrum of insights into the challenges, innovations, and sheer determination characterizing the aerospace community. This collection not only educates but also inspires, fostering a deeper appreciation for the pioneers who have shaped the way we perceive and interact with the skies and beyond.

For every 1,000 people who applied to be airline pilots in BEA/BOAC back in the day, about four made it. The other 996, plus their wives, parents, and children, might wonder how their lives could have turned out, so here is the story of one of the four. Besides, the passengers who sit behind that locked door and trust us with their lives must wonder, “What goes on up there, and how does it affect their lives and families?” My education included the University Air Squadron, then learning to fly at the College sponsored by British Airways. There is a chapter of general information on aviation, then most of the book is an account of my experiences, whether dramatic, disappointing, exciting, or amusing, during my varied career in British Airways. Some incidents occur within the cockpit, others in social interaction outside, and a few come from pilot folklore. I also describe visits to sights around the world, an aspect that draws people to aviation as a career, and interests everyone. I have added one professional pilot’s opinion on aviation topics in the news, the mysterious Malaysian disappearance, and the Alpine tragedy, and finish with my lifelong interest in designing model aircraft.