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Old Pilots Never Die - They Just Fly Away

by R. William Reisert

164 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); B+W pictures; catalogue #05-0087; ISBN 1-4120-5192-4; US$20.15, C$23.16, EUR16.54, £11.58

A book about the unbelievable skill of over-age amateur pilots who flew 140 different aircraft; their brief training; their crashes-many fatal; and their lives as "ancient and tattered airmen."

About the Book

It is a running account of life in ATA-delivering all military aircraft used by the Allies in World War 2. Foul weather was our greatest enemy-with solid cloud often up to 20,000 feet thick. Even though many of us had some instrument training, each aircraft type had its own characteristics in cloud flying, and very often the pilot ended up in Golders* Green Crematorium, London, or in a rural Royal Air Force churchyard‹with no viewing possible. I soloed many different aircraft at the school in Maidenhead, posted to many different Ferry Pools‹learning the geography, and also enjoying the historic sights of the Druid*s Circle, the castles of Scotland and northern England. I later qualified on twin-engined aircraft and became a Second Officer‹ready to go on to become a First Officer‹after passing through the school once again to fly the Wellington (*Wimpy*) and the Blenheim. However, my training was interrupted by a trip on leave home in 1943 with the USA Army 8th Air Force, and I finally came home for good (in one piece!), on the QE2 in late December, (Christmas Eve) 1943, to take up test flying and soaring.

In this story, a disciple from the Man Above was sent down, as penance, to correct/reform a certain individual. However, he was met with extreme difficulties in his efforts, and was heard to remark - "there must be an easier way to become an Angel First Class." However, I too, at 92, am "looking" for an Angel First Class.

Due to our recent cost- savings program, we are now able to reduce the price of Old Pilots Never Die - They Just Fly Away to $20.15.

Reviews

PENN STATE COMMUNICATOR, WINTER 2005 P.54

Ed Heering, ex. C.O. of #10 Ferry Rod, ATA, Lassiemouth, Scotland, 1942, & former Chief Pilot, World Airways, California, now retired. -"have read your bookand found it to be both factual, interesting a remarkable book. I salute you for the work you have done-".

Diana Barnato-Walker, M.B.E.- a Life Governor of DeBeers Consolidated Diamond Mining, a generous ATA pilot friend who "puts us up" at our annual ATA reunions in England- "a most fascinating account of the daily lives of a Ferry Pilot-".

Richard Poad- Curator, Maidenhead Heritage Center, England. "- I really enjoyed reading your book- especially about Bermuda and the ATA days. I give at least six lectures about ATA every year. Audiences are always impressed at your achievements. Your phots are in our archives where they will be presented for future generations-".

Col. George Behrens, U.S. ARMY, ret., Edison N.J. a friend "-this certainly is a most important chapterin the history of WWII- a first hand detailed ledger of your determination to be a Ferry Pilot of ATA history- very informative, very touching-".

Maggie Frost- former F/O ATA pilot, Wales, U.K.-"as to your book, I looked at it once and couldn't put it down!- What a spendid account! You did seem to have had a very exciting time- (Did she mean my parachuting experience?)-your descriptions downright smacked so clearly-".

About the Author

I was born in Los Angeles, California on January 7, 1915. Dad took us east to New Jersey when I was three where I attended schools and Rutgers University - also Penn State, later graduating from Rutgers under the G.I. Bill of Rights. After being turned down by the USAAF, U/S. Navy and the RCAF, and having completed the Civilian Pilot Training course at Somerset Airport an RAF Flying School in Bermuda. I applied there- was accepted in December. After completing the RAF course in Bermuda, I was seconded to the RAFFC, in Greenock, Scotland, in April 1942, and my flying career was launched. However, at 27, I failed another physical in London, and after several months of waiting, to be cleared‹started to fly for ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) In July 1942, where I served until December 31, 1943

Excerpts