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The Life of a Pilot: Bush Planes and Water Bombers
“That wasn’t a close call, that was a miracle!”
These are the adventures of retired pilot Glen Goobie, who flew countless missions in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada and the United States. For more than forty years, he flew with compassion and courage, sometimes performing mercy missions in the face of danger.
In 1960, when Glen was fifteen, his father’s untimely passing precipitated an uncertain future for him. His father was the breadwinner of the family, so Glen's mother decided to relocate the family from their small community of Queen’s Cove, Trinity Bay, to St. John’s to seek employment. Glen felt at odds living in a city but managed to fit in and complete high school.
A number of years later, Glen found himself behind the controls of an airplane. He completed his flying training in Moncton, New Brunswick, and his early flying career took him to Northern Ontario for a couple of years. Upon returning to Newfoundland, Glen flew with Newfoundland Air Transport, Gander Aviation, and the provincial government’s water bombers until his retirement.
These are the adventures of retired pilot Glen Goobie, who flew countless missions in Newfoundland and Labrador and across Canada and the United States. For more than forty years, he flew with compassion and courage, sometimes performing mercy missions in the face of danger.
In 1960, when Glen was fifteen, his father’s untimely passing precipitated an uncertain future for him. His father was the breadwinner of the family, so Glen's mother decided to relocate the family from their small community of Queen’s Cove, Trinity Bay, to St. John’s to seek employment. Glen felt at odds living in a city but managed to fit in and complete high school.
A number of years later, Glen found himself behind the controls of an airplane. He completed his flying training in Moncton, New Brunswick, and his early flying career took him to Northern Ontario for a couple of years. Upon returning to Newfoundland, Glen flew with Newfoundland Air Transport, Gander Aviation, and the provincial government’s water bombers until his retirement.
170 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 23, 2023
Enjoyable read. Nothing spectacular or totally gripping, but it was interesting and fun to read. Pretty quick read, too.
The section about fighting forest fires in northern Ontario was particularly relevant given what’s going on in northern Ontario and Quebec and actually all over Canada this summer of 2023.
It’s not really good enough for me to give it four or five stars but it certainly deserves better than three. I would score it a solid 3.75 if Goodreads would allow us to do increments.
The section about fighting forest fires in northern Ontario was particularly relevant given what’s going on in northern Ontario and Quebec and actually all over Canada this summer of 2023.
It’s not really good enough for me to give it four or five stars but it certainly deserves better than three. I would score it a solid 3.75 if Goodreads would allow us to do increments.
April 7, 2023
The Life of a Pilot: Bush Planes and Water Bombers is author Glen Goobie's adventurous account of living life from the cockpit. An entertaining memoir sure to appeal to readers with aspirations of living life on the edge. Check out my review at https://firesidecollections.blogspot....
April 20, 2023
As the spouse of someone in aviation, I'm used to hearing tales of bush pilot/water bomber exploits. I picked this book up at my bookclub and my husband read it first before giving it to me. These stories reminded me of Sunday afternoons, hearing the guys tell tales of their time up north over a few beers. Well written, fun stories and reminiscences made this a charming read.
March 15, 2023
Excellent book. I read it in a day. I couldn't put it down. His stories made you feel like you were there. Congratulations Glen.
March 31, 2024
Overall a great read, with interesting stories!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews