A poetic and nuanced exploration of the human experience of flight that reminds us of the full imaginative weight of our most ordinary journeys—and reawakens our capacity to be amazed. The twenty-first century has relegated airplane flight—a once remarkable feat of human ingenuity—to the realm of the mundane. Mark Vanhoenacker, a 747 pilot who left academia and a career in the business world to pursue his childhood dream of flight, asks us to reimagine what we—both as pilots and as passengers—are actually doing when we enter the world between departure and discovery. In a seamless fusion of history, politics, geography, meteorology, ecology, family, and physics, Vanhoenacker vaults across geographical and cultural boundaries; above mountains, oceans, and deserts; through snow, wind, and rain, renewing a simultaneously humbling and almost superhuman activity that affords us unparalleled perspectives on the planet we inhabit and the communities we form.

Traces a pilot's journey to India in a 747 to provide the reader a look at the duties and excitement of such a job.

Now a major motion picture from Clint Eastwood, starring Tom Hanks—the inspirational autobiography by one of the most captivating American heroes of our time, Capt. ‘Sully’ Sullenberger—the pilot who miraculously landed a crippled US Airways Flight 1549 in New York’s Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew. On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed a remarkable emergency landing when Captain "Sully" Sullenberger skillfully glided US Airways Flight 1549 onto the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew. His cool actions not only averted tragedy but made him a hero and an inspiration worldwide. His story is now a major motion picture from director / producer Clint Eastwood and stars Tom Hanks, Laura Linney and Aaron Eckhart. Sully's story is one of dedication, hope, and preparedness, revealing the important lessons he learned through his life, in his military service, and in his work as an airline pilot. It reminds us all that, even in these days of conflict, tragedy and uncertainty, there are values still worth fighting for—that life's challenges can be met if we're ready for them.

Captain Enrique (Henry) Horta was born the third child of the Horta Family in Ventura California. He lived in various places such as, Los Angeles, San Diego, Mexico, Germany, Mauritius, New Zealand, Japan and Jordan. While spending some of his teen years in Mexico he learned about survival and the importance of appreciating and doing the best of what resources he had. When he returned to California he was a skinny kid with dreams and plans to be a Pilot, traveler and adventurer. His wild dreams of becoming an Astronaut and going to the moon where replaced by more realistic dreams such as wanting to become an Airline Pilot. When he turned 18 years old he parted from his parents and had to join the working rat race starting out as a bag-boy at a local Safeway store. His plans to finish College were halted by his traveling bug so he took a break from school, sold his motorcycle, and went back-packing to Europe with only $1,000 Dollars in his pocket, a Euro-Pass train Ticket for a month, and a return airplane ticket home. Unexpected fatherhood in Germany at a young age made him become more responsible and serious about his dreams. When he returned to California he was now a young family man while working as a carpenter in construction and attending evening University and Flight School on weekends. His positive thinking methods, scholarships, grants, and student loans paid off and he graduated with an Airway Science Degree in addition to all his Pilot ratings and Certificates. Thereafter, his life became more of an adventure and he travelled around the world working for various Airlines as a Contract Pilot.

"You look like me" is a children's book about following your dreams no matter your gender or skin color. Additionally, it is about eradicating stereotypes within varied career fields. We need little black and brown boys and girls to know there are successful individuals who looks just like them in different job markets that have not been advertised as diverse. It is imperative that they are able too see images of people who look like them doing positive things in their community and the world.

I thought you might enjoy reading about the actual life of an airline pilot. In this book I explain how I prepare for a flight; what happens in the flight deck; why delays occur; and what I do when I am done flying for the day. I also share passenger behaviors that drive flight crews crazy. Enjoy the trip!

Though we routinely take to the air, for many of us flying remains a mystery. Few of us understand the how and why of jetting from New York to London in six hours. How does a plane stay in the air? Can turbulence bring it down? What is windshear? How good are the security checks? Patrick Smith, an airline pilot and author of Salon.com's popular column, "Ask the Pilot," unravels the secrets and tells you all there is to know about the strange and fascinating world of commercial flight. He offers: A nuts and bolts explanation of how planes fly Insights into safety and security Straight talk about turbulence, air traffic control, windshear, and crashes The history, color, and controversy of the world's airlines The awe and oddity of being a pilot The poetry and drama of airplanes, airports, and traveling abroad In a series of frank, often funny explanations and essays, Smith speaks eloquently to our fears and curiosities, incorporating anecdotes, memoir, and a life's passion for flight. He tackles our toughest concerns, debunks conspiracy theories and myths, and in a rarely heard voice dares to return a dash of romance and glamour to air travel.