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A Chick in the Cockpit: My Life Up in the Air
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard your flight. As you step onto my aircraft, take a quick glance into the cockpit. Yep, that’s me sitting in the captains’ seat, and that’s my first officer laughing about how he accidentally locked himself out of his hotel room. Naked. Again.
We’re both a little ripe from flying for the last five days, but we’re still smiling because we have spent years and thousands of hours training and living an uncommon lifestyle to be up here for you.
For the next few hours, you have to turn your life over to us. It’s hard to trust others, and there are moments when you don’t have a choice about being in control. During those moments, you’ll just have to tighten your seatbelt and trust that others will get you through the storm.
Our route today will take you through a segment of my life up in the air, and you will see things you could never imagine. Since I have been locked in the cockpit with men for several thousands of hours over the years, I have been given a perspective few get to experience. To help you see a different perspective, too, I am giving you a checklist to use as we move along our route. It will take you from gate to gate, and when we’re done, we will have both learned a little more about what it takes to fly.
Now…just sit back and relax. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
Erika Armstrong has worked every aspect of aviation in her twenty-five years in the industry, including an international corporate airline captain. She is an award-winning staff writer for Colorado Serenity Magazine and is a professional pilot columnist for Disciples of Flight, NYC Aviation, Contrails, Flying, LinkedIn, and Business Insider and is the owner of Leading Edge Aviation Consulting.
We’re both a little ripe from flying for the last five days, but we’re still smiling because we have spent years and thousands of hours training and living an uncommon lifestyle to be up here for you.
For the next few hours, you have to turn your life over to us. It’s hard to trust others, and there are moments when you don’t have a choice about being in control. During those moments, you’ll just have to tighten your seatbelt and trust that others will get you through the storm.
Our route today will take you through a segment of my life up in the air, and you will see things you could never imagine. Since I have been locked in the cockpit with men for several thousands of hours over the years, I have been given a perspective few get to experience. To help you see a different perspective, too, I am giving you a checklist to use as we move along our route. It will take you from gate to gate, and when we’re done, we will have both learned a little more about what it takes to fly.
Now…just sit back and relax. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
Erika Armstrong has worked every aspect of aviation in her twenty-five years in the industry, including an international corporate airline captain. She is an award-winning staff writer for Colorado Serenity Magazine and is a professional pilot columnist for Disciples of Flight, NYC Aviation, Contrails, Flying, LinkedIn, and Business Insider and is the owner of Leading Edge Aviation Consulting.
262 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2015
36 people are currently reading
1721 people want to read
About the author
Erika Armstrong
6 books61 followersAuthor of A CHICK IN THE COCKPIT. I am a Goodreads author, pilot, professor, aviation analyst and Murphy Law Breaker. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 1, 2016
(Note: I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.)
A memoir by a jet pilot. Most people, I suspect, will come to it for the same reasons I did: because we're sure that flying a plane must be a lot harder and more complicated than it seems from the passenger seats, and we're interested in learning about it from a pilot's point of view. And there's plenty of that; particularly details of the interminable checklists the flight crew must run through before, during, and after every flight. (It's more interesting than it probably sounds.)
However, the book leaves the piloting part of Armstrong's life midway through, and becomes a memoir about living through (and eventually getting out of) an abusive marriage. I feel readers should know this beforehand; nothing about the way the book is described and marketed indicates this aspect of the book.
Honestly, though: even though it was not what I expected to be reading, I ultimately found the second half of the book more compelling than the parts about flying. It's always difficult to understand, from the outside, why someone would willingly stay for even a day in a relationship which has turned abusive. Armstrong's lucid (and often self-critical) account, though, makes it very understandable; and lays bare the real-world complexities which can make breaking away difficult.
It's not a pleasant read, by any means. But it's important, and can do a lot of good for others, for stories like this to be shared.
A memoir by a jet pilot. Most people, I suspect, will come to it for the same reasons I did: because we're sure that flying a plane must be a lot harder and more complicated than it seems from the passenger seats, and we're interested in learning about it from a pilot's point of view. And there's plenty of that; particularly details of the interminable checklists the flight crew must run through before, during, and after every flight. (It's more interesting than it probably sounds.)
However, the book leaves the piloting part of Armstrong's life midway through, and becomes a memoir about living through (and eventually getting out of) an abusive marriage. I feel readers should know this beforehand; nothing about the way the book is described and marketed indicates this aspect of the book.
Honestly, though: even though it was not what I expected to be reading, I ultimately found the second half of the book more compelling than the parts about flying. It's always difficult to understand, from the outside, why someone would willingly stay for even a day in a relationship which has turned abusive. Armstrong's lucid (and often self-critical) account, though, makes it very understandable; and lays bare the real-world complexities which can make breaking away difficult.
It's not a pleasant read, by any means. But it's important, and can do a lot of good for others, for stories like this to be shared.
November 9, 2018
Checked this out as I thought it would be about plans and flying. First third was and she does a real good job or describing getting to the left seat. Then the book to a very drastic turn. Erika is a hero she really had to put up with a difficult situation and regulations. I know she turned a corner and hope she and he girls forever find blue skills and strong tailwinds.
December 28, 2015
I just finished an amazing and inspirational biography. A Chick in the Cockpit is the story of Erika Armstrong’s life as a female pilot and her experiences living with an abusive husband. This tale is perfect for book clubs; it even comes with a list of discussion questions at the end.
Synopsis
The aviation industry is, even to this day, dominated by men. Women pilots are rare, and Erika shares her struggles overcoming prejudice and her desire to prove that a chick can fly an airplane just as well as a man. The reader is taken on a journey through Erika’s life and given a unique view about a sector in our society where women are still fighting to be seen as equals. More compelling yet, we are given a front row seat to what abusive relationships look like, which come in many different forms. Aviation is used as a metaphor throughout the book for Erika’s personal journey. Each chapter starts with a checklist, something pilots use constantly, to guide the reader along. It is both a heart wrenching and heart warming tale of hard work, resilience, and the strength of women.
“Our mistake as feminists is thinking we should be or think more like men. There is nothing feminine about feminism, and that’s where we all got it wrong. We should be acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses, not denying them.” (page 65)
Strengths
The best part of this book is its copious amount of heart. As Erika experienced each new trial, I was right there, experiencing it right alongside her, feeling her pain. I was angry when she was mistreated, incredulous when she was wrongfully arrested, and frustrated that there was no one she could turn to for so many years. I was overcome with joy at the quiet strength of her book club heroes who stepped in when she needed them most. This book makes you feel, and that is the best gift literature can give.
I also think it should be said that this is not a bra-burning, man-hating feminist book. I wouldn’t have even finished it if it was. It’s the story of someone who worked hard despite discrimination, and for years dealt with a spouse who was both controlling and emotionally and physically abusive. It is a celebration of the strength of the human spirit.
Weaknesses
Really the only thing that can be said here is that perhaps the sections about aviation are a touch long-winded, but even they add to the overarching metaphor. I have nothing more to add here. :)
Conclusion
In my interview with Erika, she promises that,
“…this story will make you pee your pants with laughter, cry with anger, and smile at the power of women.”
I can tell you now, A Chick in the Cockpit absolutely delivers. I was teary-eyed in a few places, and by the end was so proud of all that she accomplished and the strong women that buoyed her up during her darkest hour. It made me proud to be a woman, a mother, and a wife. This is a perfect choice for any book club, especially because Erika’s heroes in the book were her own Book Club Warriors. Such an inspirational story. Go get a copy!!
5 stars
Review originally posted on Cindy's Treasury of Good Tales, http://goodtales.novelblogs.com
Synopsis
The aviation industry is, even to this day, dominated by men. Women pilots are rare, and Erika shares her struggles overcoming prejudice and her desire to prove that a chick can fly an airplane just as well as a man. The reader is taken on a journey through Erika’s life and given a unique view about a sector in our society where women are still fighting to be seen as equals. More compelling yet, we are given a front row seat to what abusive relationships look like, which come in many different forms. Aviation is used as a metaphor throughout the book for Erika’s personal journey. Each chapter starts with a checklist, something pilots use constantly, to guide the reader along. It is both a heart wrenching and heart warming tale of hard work, resilience, and the strength of women.
“Our mistake as feminists is thinking we should be or think more like men. There is nothing feminine about feminism, and that’s where we all got it wrong. We should be acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses, not denying them.” (page 65)
Strengths
The best part of this book is its copious amount of heart. As Erika experienced each new trial, I was right there, experiencing it right alongside her, feeling her pain. I was angry when she was mistreated, incredulous when she was wrongfully arrested, and frustrated that there was no one she could turn to for so many years. I was overcome with joy at the quiet strength of her book club heroes who stepped in when she needed them most. This book makes you feel, and that is the best gift literature can give.
I also think it should be said that this is not a bra-burning, man-hating feminist book. I wouldn’t have even finished it if it was. It’s the story of someone who worked hard despite discrimination, and for years dealt with a spouse who was both controlling and emotionally and physically abusive. It is a celebration of the strength of the human spirit.
Weaknesses
Really the only thing that can be said here is that perhaps the sections about aviation are a touch long-winded, but even they add to the overarching metaphor. I have nothing more to add here. :)
Conclusion
In my interview with Erika, she promises that,
“…this story will make you pee your pants with laughter, cry with anger, and smile at the power of women.”
I can tell you now, A Chick in the Cockpit absolutely delivers. I was teary-eyed in a few places, and by the end was so proud of all that she accomplished and the strong women that buoyed her up during her darkest hour. It made me proud to be a woman, a mother, and a wife. This is a perfect choice for any book club, especially because Erika’s heroes in the book were her own Book Club Warriors. Such an inspirational story. Go get a copy!!
5 stars
Review originally posted on Cindy's Treasury of Good Tales, http://goodtales.novelblogs.com
March 11, 2017
Last week I was on a flight to SEATAC where we were approaching the runway for our landing when the pilot suddenly and decisively pulled up. Reading this book really felt just like that.
I love reading about women who had interesting careers. Erika's description of her road to becoming a female pilot did not disappoint. She explained the road she took, but like in cooking, she sprinkles the story with Sea Salt to bring out the flavor of the sacrifices most pilots make for the sake of their passion and then really brings out the flavor of walking that male dominated road as a woman. I learned a great deal about the process of getting a jet off of the ground and loved the glimpse inside the cockpit. I also related to her navigation of finding a way to relate to and earn the respect of the other pilots. I love her acknowledgement that feminism should loudly acknowledge that women and men are different; we should recognize our differences and use our strengths to make a stronger team.
Then after chapter 9, WHAM, she "pulls up". Through the metaphors of flying, she goes deep into her life outside of aviation. In one chapter she describes how the Air Traffic Controllers can see the entire picture, while the pilot has a narrow view; she relates that to the times in life where we just may not be seeing our own impending disasters. In another chapter she describes the necessary "situational awareness" all pilots must have in order to keep the aircraft safe; in life she reminds us we need to "look outside the cockpit" once in awhile because even if we are doing everything right, we might slam into a wall anyway. These life lessons, mixed with aircraft stories, are painful to read as her story unfolds. The WHAM comes when I wasn't expecting the U-Turn. The back of the book doesn't give a hint about it either.
I love how she admits that her Book Club Warrior and Divorce Club Warrior friends became an anchor for her. In America we are so proud of our independence. I think Erika learned that life is better when we lean on each other.
A book well worth the journey (especially for any up and coming career woman)....as she titles one chapter, just, "Tighten Your Seatbelts Folks, It's Gonna be a Bumpy Ride."
I love reading about women who had interesting careers. Erika's description of her road to becoming a female pilot did not disappoint. She explained the road she took, but like in cooking, she sprinkles the story with Sea Salt to bring out the flavor of the sacrifices most pilots make for the sake of their passion and then really brings out the flavor of walking that male dominated road as a woman. I learned a great deal about the process of getting a jet off of the ground and loved the glimpse inside the cockpit. I also related to her navigation of finding a way to relate to and earn the respect of the other pilots. I love her acknowledgement that feminism should loudly acknowledge that women and men are different; we should recognize our differences and use our strengths to make a stronger team.
Then after chapter 9, WHAM, she "pulls up". Through the metaphors of flying, she goes deep into her life outside of aviation. In one chapter she describes how the Air Traffic Controllers can see the entire picture, while the pilot has a narrow view; she relates that to the times in life where we just may not be seeing our own impending disasters. In another chapter she describes the necessary "situational awareness" all pilots must have in order to keep the aircraft safe; in life she reminds us we need to "look outside the cockpit" once in awhile because even if we are doing everything right, we might slam into a wall anyway. These life lessons, mixed with aircraft stories, are painful to read as her story unfolds. The WHAM comes when I wasn't expecting the U-Turn. The back of the book doesn't give a hint about it either.
I love how she admits that her Book Club Warrior and Divorce Club Warrior friends became an anchor for her. In America we are so proud of our independence. I think Erika learned that life is better when we lean on each other.
A book well worth the journey (especially for any up and coming career woman)....as she titles one chapter, just, "Tighten Your Seatbelts Folks, It's Gonna be a Bumpy Ride."
April 2, 2019
This book was really two parts.One part was about a woman becoming a pilot.I really liked it.The stories about a woman in the aviation industry.The explanations of flying,the humour,the reason why air disasters occured made this a wonderful read.Then there was her personal disaster.A deplorable spouse,lazy, incompetent,stupid cops,worthless greedy lawyers.I didn't enjoy this at all.The structure of the book with all the checklists was imaginative.
October 29, 2015
I think they should rename this site "greatreads" because that is what "A Chick in the Cockpit" is, a great read! Could hardly put it down! A fast read, engaging, heartfelt and just amazing.
September 3, 2016
Boy this
Book took an unexpected turn. Right into many of our lives. You start in one place and end up in an entirely different but better place.
Book took an unexpected turn. Right into many of our lives. You start in one place and end up in an entirely different but better place.
March 12, 2025
4.5
This was a very different book than I was expecting to read when I picked it up. The beginning was pretty much what I was ready for, a memoir about a fruitful airline career and breaking glass ceilings. The second half nearly brought me to tears on multiple occasions and filled me with copious amounts of rage. Brad is such an incredible piece of shit it makes my blood boil, and also scares the crap out of me. I can relate to aspects of Erika pre-Brad and the prospect that my life could derail so heavily gives me a lot of anxiety, despite the overall hopeful message of the book. I hope so badly that Erika is able to (or has been able to) get back into the air, she more than deserves it. I can't imagine my life without it, but I also take to heart the message of finding community in other women and healthy relationships along the way.
The writing in the very beginning was a little choppy for my tastes and the metaphors were a little heavy handed, but that balanced out as the book went on and I ended up fining it surprisingly engaging (I'm not the biggest reader of non-fiction, but pilot must read pilot books).
I don't have a ton to say, It's not really my place to critique the contents of someone's life. I usually don't rate memoirs for that reason but I feel the need to boost this one as I sincerely believe it has the chance to help other women and/or pilots who are struggling with similar problems. I do so with a heavy trigger warning for detailed descriptions of physical and emotional abuse, one that I believe needed to be somewhere on the book.
This was a very different book than I was expecting to read when I picked it up. The beginning was pretty much what I was ready for, a memoir about a fruitful airline career and breaking glass ceilings. The second half nearly brought me to tears on multiple occasions and filled me with copious amounts of rage. Brad is such an incredible piece of shit it makes my blood boil, and also scares the crap out of me. I can relate to aspects of Erika pre-Brad and the prospect that my life could derail so heavily gives me a lot of anxiety, despite the overall hopeful message of the book. I hope so badly that Erika is able to (or has been able to) get back into the air, she more than deserves it. I can't imagine my life without it, but I also take to heart the message of finding community in other women and healthy relationships along the way.
The writing in the very beginning was a little choppy for my tastes and the metaphors were a little heavy handed, but that balanced out as the book went on and I ended up fining it surprisingly engaging (I'm not the biggest reader of non-fiction, but pilot must read pilot books).
I don't have a ton to say, It's not really my place to critique the contents of someone's life. I usually don't rate memoirs for that reason but I feel the need to boost this one as I sincerely believe it has the chance to help other women and/or pilots who are struggling with similar problems. I do so with a heavy trigger warning for detailed descriptions of physical and emotional abuse, one that I believe needed to be somewhere on the book.
November 19, 2015
A Chick in the Cockpit is a novel written with passion, tenacity, and humor, drawing the reader in with each turn of the page. The author beautifully juxtaposes the struggles that pilots face with everyday life issues, making the story both interesting and accessible. Not only does the reader get a glimpse into the fascinating world of aviation, but we also get the vantage point of a female pilot's life that is both literally and figuratively up in the air. This book is a testament to the power of female bonds, the strength of motherhood, the triumph of rising above an abusive relationship, and ultimately, hope.
July 22, 2016
I connected with Armstrong's honest, gut-wrenching, inspiring story of pursuing what you love and overcoming oppression in its infinite forms. She writes from the heart and her story would inspire readers of all audiences.
December 24, 2019
Author and airline pilot, Erika Armstrong provides us the ride of our lives with her book “A Chick in the Cockpit.” I’ll admit, I started reading this book not knowing really what to expect. Little did I know that she was going to fly us through an extended period of her life packaged in checklists, flying anecdotes, and the extreme turbulence we all face at some point in our lives. I read it cover to cover in two sittings over two days. I literally went to bed the first night with the largest pit in my stomach. She had me strapped in my seat, on board her “airliner” from word one; and through her keen writing style, extreme aviation knowledge, and her willingness to fight to fly through the remainder of her life in smooth air, you can’t help but hold the utmost respect for her. This book has “the big screen” written all over it. And, if not there, then it’s surely destined for Netflix/Hulu or would be a perfect fit for a made-for-TV Lifetime Channel movie. It’s difficult for me to not write a spoiler alert here for you, the reader, but I want to save the hard-hitting, gut-wrenching emotional roller coaster for your reading pleasure. “A Chick in the Cockpit” is a must read! Order your copy today!
Ken Murray, Author, "On Parr”
Ken Murray, Author, "On Parr”
July 18, 2017
Self-styled 'independent authors' find ourselves being advertised at by our peers. A lot. Every day, my social media feeds are filled with advertisements for books, many of them not quite my cup of tea, or - to be kind - not really ready for publication. Every now and then, however, one appears which catches my interest and when that happens, I tend to buy a copy - writers ought to encourage other writers; that seems self-evident.
I should admit here to a life-long fascination with flying - blame being brought up under an airport approach - and so this book perhaps appealed to me in a way another similar title might not. However, once reading, I understood that it was very much my kind of book.
The biggest compliment I can pay this book is that it reminded me strongly of Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys., one of my very favourite books of recent years. Viv Albertine and Erika Anderson could not be less alike, I suspect, yet their stories share an abrupt left-turn (left bank, perhaps) at the halfway point, which elevate them above the run-of-the-mill 'I did this, then I did this, then I got really good at what I do' autobiography.
This is an extraordinary, scarcely-believable in parts, tale of how a level-headed, driven individual might find herself in an untenable situation by a series of logical-seeming decisions which lead to a very dark place indeed. I shan't spoil the story, because it is greatly enhanced if you come to it, as I did, with no prior knowledge of what you're getting into.
I expected, and enjoyed, the first part of this story; astounded (and yet not surprised) at how hard it still can be to become a professional pilot if you have a different set of chromosomes than the majority of your peers, but I stayed for the unexpected and all-too-human drama of the second half. That part of the book is not what I signed up for at all; and isn't something I would have picked up otherwise, but I'm glad I read it, and I'm glad it's out there - how hard it must have been to get to a place where she felt able to tell this story at all.
It's not perfect (the checklists at the beginning of each chapter occasionally feel a little forced; and there are a handful of typos), but it's something you should read, even - especially - if 'it's not my kind of book at all'.
I should admit here to a life-long fascination with flying - blame being brought up under an airport approach - and so this book perhaps appealed to me in a way another similar title might not. However, once reading, I understood that it was very much my kind of book.
The biggest compliment I can pay this book is that it reminded me strongly of Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys., one of my very favourite books of recent years. Viv Albertine and Erika Anderson could not be less alike, I suspect, yet their stories share an abrupt left-turn (left bank, perhaps) at the halfway point, which elevate them above the run-of-the-mill 'I did this, then I did this, then I got really good at what I do' autobiography.
This is an extraordinary, scarcely-believable in parts, tale of how a level-headed, driven individual might find herself in an untenable situation by a series of logical-seeming decisions which lead to a very dark place indeed. I shan't spoil the story, because it is greatly enhanced if you come to it, as I did, with no prior knowledge of what you're getting into.
I expected, and enjoyed, the first part of this story; astounded (and yet not surprised) at how hard it still can be to become a professional pilot if you have a different set of chromosomes than the majority of your peers, but I stayed for the unexpected and all-too-human drama of the second half. That part of the book is not what I signed up for at all; and isn't something I would have picked up otherwise, but I'm glad I read it, and I'm glad it's out there - how hard it must have been to get to a place where she felt able to tell this story at all.
It's not perfect (the checklists at the beginning of each chapter occasionally feel a little forced; and there are a handful of typos), but it's something you should read, even - especially - if 'it's not my kind of book at all'.
February 5, 2018
Multifacited
Delightful and educational read. Readers will learn a lot about what is involved in flying the big planes, the ones us regular people use to visit family and friends in this age of mobility. The author does a beautiful job of looking at the challenges life visits on her including spending time in jail and living with a husband who mentally and physically abuses her for years through the lens of preparing to take off, fly and land a super plane.
Delightful and educational read. Readers will learn a lot about what is involved in flying the big planes, the ones us regular people use to visit family and friends in this age of mobility. The author does a beautiful job of looking at the challenges life visits on her including spending time in jail and living with a husband who mentally and physically abuses her for years through the lens of preparing to take off, fly and land a super plane.
December 16, 2016
As the title and cover art suggest, this book is a memoir written by a female airline pilot. And to the extent that it describes the challenges of being female and becoming a commercial pilot, the book provides an interesting look inside the world of air travel and the people who get us where we want or need to go. The author shows us how pilots use checklists to minimize errors and improve safety, and at first her efforts to glean life lessons from these checklists seems a bit contrived.
While the portions of the book about aviation are interesting enough, they aren't compelling to the point of "can't-put-the-book-down". However, when she starts to describe the collapse of her personal life into chaos, her narrative becomes riveting. She provides a no-holds-barred look at what it is like to be trapped in an abusive relationship. Her account is clear and lucid, and searing in its honesty. And as brutal as her story was, I found it difficult to put down. While it seemed obvious (by virtue of the publication of this book) that she would find a way out of this trap, it wasn't always clear how that would happen, which provided for a suspenseful read.
While the portions of the book about aviation are interesting enough, they aren't compelling to the point of "can't-put-the-book-down". However, when she starts to describe the collapse of her personal life into chaos, her narrative becomes riveting. She provides a no-holds-barred look at what it is like to be trapped in an abusive relationship. Her account is clear and lucid, and searing in its honesty. And as brutal as her story was, I found it difficult to put down. While it seemed obvious (by virtue of the publication of this book) that she would find a way out of this trap, it wasn't always clear how that would happen, which provided for a suspenseful read.
June 28, 2016
A completely unexpected great book! I thought this was just going to be about aviation, but it's so much more. I liked the way the author gave her perspective into some of the high profile aviation accidents and I especially liked the backstory of the Senator Paul Wellstone tragedy. The story had a great outline by using an aviation checklist (some of which were hysterical), but the pivot of the story and the analogies were poignant, memorable, and I'll never look at my airline pilot the same way. This book is a toast to aviation, but it's also a reminder that even though women have come a long way, our society has a long way to go to give them the respect they've earned. Bravo to the author on this one for taking a gut-wrenching tragedy and turning it into what is should be - a testament to just how great "chicks" can be. I think I'll go hug my wife. Now I know why she goes to book club.
March 3, 2016
I read this book in two days -- one third of the way through, this turned into a completely different kind of book than that which I was expecting! Mostly, I kept on reading because I knew the author "landed on her feet", but I just had to find out HOW. What I loved: the chapter headings, and the explanations of how the author got from here to there. What I didn't love: some confusions of chronology along the way as I read, which more editing might have smoothed out.
Thumbs up for how this author's survival of very turbulent conditions, and for having the strength and ability to write it down and share it with the rest of us. Whether you call yourself a feminist or not, there are all kinds of important things to learn about this narrative in order to create a truly gender-integrated world.
Thumbs up for how this author's survival of very turbulent conditions, and for having the strength and ability to write it down and share it with the rest of us. Whether you call yourself a feminist or not, there are all kinds of important things to learn about this narrative in order to create a truly gender-integrated world.
December 28, 2015
Emotional realism at its best
I was really with Erika every step of the way through this journey. When she laughed I laughed, when she was angry I was angry, and when she was lonely I wad lonely. It wasn't the easy read I thought it would be and a little more than half way through I contemplated putting it down and finding something lighter but I'm glad I stayed with Erika through the conclusion of her journey, and I would absolutely recommend this to readers who want to step inside the real worlds of aviation, abusive relationships, and strong women overcoming the odds.
Visit my book review blog Dots Words and Whispers at adina.novelblogs.com to read the full text of this review, and my interview with Erika Armstrong.
I was really with Erika every step of the way through this journey. When she laughed I laughed, when she was angry I was angry, and when she was lonely I wad lonely. It wasn't the easy read I thought it would be and a little more than half way through I contemplated putting it down and finding something lighter but I'm glad I stayed with Erika through the conclusion of her journey, and I would absolutely recommend this to readers who want to step inside the real worlds of aviation, abusive relationships, and strong women overcoming the odds.
Visit my book review blog Dots Words and Whispers at adina.novelblogs.com to read the full text of this review, and my interview with Erika Armstrong.
July 27, 2016
The author moves back and forth from her expertise as a pilot and describing various scenarios and checklists that pilots may use in a flight to her life experience of growing into her marriage and motherhood and through her painful, horrifying divorce from the sociopath that was her husband. She discusses many horrifying airplane accidents with that laconic patois that is used in cockpits -
landing a plane 4 feet too low. This same competent voice documents her descent into being an abused wife and mother and then her recovery of her life after some very harrowing encounters with her ex.
It amazes me how I can read about airplane accidents with no qualms but her description of her abuse leaves me shaken and unsettled. I couldn't put the book down for two days.
landing a plane 4 feet too low. This same competent voice documents her descent into being an abused wife and mother and then her recovery of her life after some very harrowing encounters with her ex.
It amazes me how I can read about airplane accidents with no qualms but her description of her abuse leaves me shaken and unsettled. I couldn't put the book down for two days.
Want to read
August 12, 2016It Makes You Realize what women go through to acahive anything in life no matter how smart they are or how beautiful or plane ,no pun intended here.I really enjoyed this biik a very good read that will put a simle on your face, and yes for me even got me a little ashamed of how I look at women and how i judge them thank you so very much it help to open my eyes and to change the way i look at women in general . That being said I did fall for the main chartore besides being a talented pilot and a exciting women that I could only in my wildest dreams that i could find to be a part of my life .
Thank You Again Ronald Holst
Thank You Again Ronald Holst
November 2, 2015
I had the pleasure of meeting Erika after she had finished her book. What I expected were stories about her flying career. Erika's book is so much more than that. She gives us the unedited version of being a successful woman in a male-dominated (still) industry while also taking on societal expectations of how we are treated in our daily culture. The only time I managed to put the book down was when trick-or-treaters came to the door. I laughed, cried and have had her words on my mind and in my heart since I read this. An incredible read.
June 7, 2016
This book is more than just a behind the scenes look from the cockpit. It is an emotional journey of a female pilot who broke through the clouds in a male-dominated field. Fasten your seatbelt--you will live through the ups and downs of motherhood and the dark days of abuse. Truly a story of inner strength. You will see how empowerment can be found in the strangest places . . . a monthly book club meeting with a variety of women from different walks of life. Uplifting and inspirational.
April 11, 2017
This book made me feel so many emotions! I loved reading about her adventures while getting into aviation. I cried while reading about her heartbreak, abuse, and all of the trials she went through with her marriage and raising her girls.
Erika, you are such a brave, inspiring individual and I am so proud of you for making it through! I can only imagine what you had to go through and I thank you for sharing your story. I will be sharing this book with others.
Erika, you are such a brave, inspiring individual and I am so proud of you for making it through! I can only imagine what you had to go through and I thank you for sharing your story. I will be sharing this book with others.
June 15, 2017
(won in a giveaway) Wow - what a story! Erika describes the hard work and passion it takes for any pilot but even more so a woman pilot to make it to the top. Along the way, she parallels how aviation mimics life in its ups and downs. I never knew there were so many checklists for flying. The tale she tells of her trials in her first marriage is scary but her strength wins the day. Very inspirational.
June 16, 2018
More Than One Meaning To The Title
Domestic abuse is a silent killer to one's spirit. No one ought to have to endure the type of abuse detailed in A Chick in the Cockpit and yet untold numbers of people do. I applaud Erika Armstrong for her transparency and I am happy she was able to get out of that Hell. Sadly, I am familiar with the male and female "Brads" of the world and they must be helped and stopped. Domestic abuse and violence must be brought to an end at all levels.
Domestic abuse is a silent killer to one's spirit. No one ought to have to endure the type of abuse detailed in A Chick in the Cockpit and yet untold numbers of people do. I applaud Erika Armstrong for her transparency and I am happy she was able to get out of that Hell. Sadly, I am familiar with the male and female "Brads" of the world and they must be helped and stopped. Domestic abuse and violence must be brought to an end at all levels.
August 9, 2016
A surprising book-surprising in content and surprising in power. The author teaches us about being a female pilot but also shares the more difficult (and dangerous) job of regaining the position of captain in her personal life after a volatile and abusive marriage. Without the gratuitous cursing, this would have been a five star book. I received this through Goodreads.
March 5, 2019
Wow. First, Erika is a true inspiration. She fought her way to the top of a male-dominated industry. She endured a world of hurt from an abusive and manipulative husband, yet didn't stop fighting for herself and her girls. This book had me in tears. I highly recommend to any woman who needs an inspiring story to keep fighting.
July 31, 2016
I got this for free at ALA, so felt obliged to read it. It's actually a kind of interesting story, but hard to read because of the amateur style - a combination of chatty tone and thesaurus-in-hand vocabulary.
July 3, 2017
Very good book
I really enjoyed this book can't believe it's actually true you are an amazing woman Erika Armstrong. I wish you and your family all the best
I really enjoyed this book can't believe it's actually true you are an amazing woman Erika Armstrong. I wish you and your family all the best
January 20, 2024
The Genreland prompt for the month is Animals and I am determined to actually finish the 666 Challenge this year after going 34/36 last year. I thought a book about a female pilot (chick) was a way to kill two birds with one stone plus move something off the TBR pile. Not exactly.
It quickly became clear that this book would not talk much about travels around the globe but would be focused on flying a plane and life lessons that can be related to flying a plane. Okay, fine. But this woman boarded the flight from hell by marrying an absolute dick (that was what she called him before he became both violent and cunning and ruined her life in the space of a few minutes). I was raised in a very patriarchal subset of America where taking a backseat to men and doing everything necessary to keep things functioning without any support or recognition is practically God's plan for women. I learned to be deferential to ill-tempered people and keep out of their way early and to go along to get along with men in power when things were unfair and the deck was stacked against me. Even with that background I cannot comprehend what she ever saw in her husband to begin with or why she put up with the crap she did prior to the marriage. Maybe I have never felt that I was in a position of power to control the outcome of everything which she characterizes as normal for an airplane captain, and my constant awareness of how easily everything could go wrong because I had no control actually has served a useful purpose in my life.
As a lawyer and true-crime junkie, I sometimes forget some of the issues with the system. I tend to be able to see the ways that the system fails the victim, but I need to re-calibrate my perception. The system fails the little guy, the one with less power and less money and often with a lower level of sociopathy while rewarding the assholes, particularly when they are white men. Erika's public defender was a joke, I think likely beyond the merely overworked and cynical burnouts that are depicted on television. There were multiple ethical violations in her brief contact with him, but again, she did not have the power in the system to even recognize them let alone do anything about them. I was most struck by the comments of the nurse who attended to Erika's injuries when it came to addressing domestic violence, because despite all the efforts to change, it is almost certainly still the case and also is directly transferable to the way a lot of the incidents in minority neighborhoods are handled. "The cops know who done it, but if they arrest the woman, that's the last time they get those kinds of calls at that house. The woman will put up with all the hitting and the abuse after that. She knows she's got a record now and if they get a call at that house again, they ain't gonna believe her."
I am glad she was able to work her way out of a terrible situation and achieve a measure of happiness for her and her children. I think this book could be useful to women in her situation, but I don't know if many of them would choose to read it because it looks like a different sort of book. Had I known about the things she would describe, I would likely have passed on reading the book. As it is, I drug my feet about finishing it because you have to go through the terrible to come out the other side.
It quickly became clear that this book would not talk much about travels around the globe but would be focused on flying a plane and life lessons that can be related to flying a plane. Okay, fine. But this woman boarded the flight from hell by marrying an absolute dick (that was what she called him before he became both violent and cunning and ruined her life in the space of a few minutes). I was raised in a very patriarchal subset of America where taking a backseat to men and doing everything necessary to keep things functioning without any support or recognition is practically God's plan for women. I learned to be deferential to ill-tempered people and keep out of their way early and to go along to get along with men in power when things were unfair and the deck was stacked against me. Even with that background I cannot comprehend what she ever saw in her husband to begin with or why she put up with the crap she did prior to the marriage. Maybe I have never felt that I was in a position of power to control the outcome of everything which she characterizes as normal for an airplane captain, and my constant awareness of how easily everything could go wrong because I had no control actually has served a useful purpose in my life.
As a lawyer and true-crime junkie, I sometimes forget some of the issues with the system. I tend to be able to see the ways that the system fails the victim, but I need to re-calibrate my perception. The system fails the little guy, the one with less power and less money and often with a lower level of sociopathy while rewarding the assholes, particularly when they are white men. Erika's public defender was a joke, I think likely beyond the merely overworked and cynical burnouts that are depicted on television. There were multiple ethical violations in her brief contact with him, but again, she did not have the power in the system to even recognize them let alone do anything about them. I was most struck by the comments of the nurse who attended to Erika's injuries when it came to addressing domestic violence, because despite all the efforts to change, it is almost certainly still the case and also is directly transferable to the way a lot of the incidents in minority neighborhoods are handled. "The cops know who done it, but if they arrest the woman, that's the last time they get those kinds of calls at that house. The woman will put up with all the hitting and the abuse after that. She knows she's got a record now and if they get a call at that house again, they ain't gonna believe her."
I am glad she was able to work her way out of a terrible situation and achieve a measure of happiness for her and her children. I think this book could be useful to women in her situation, but I don't know if many of them would choose to read it because it looks like a different sort of book. Had I known about the things she would describe, I would likely have passed on reading the book. As it is, I drug my feet about finishing it because you have to go through the terrible to come out the other side.
January 2, 2021
Oh man, oh man, oh man. I was legitimately expecting a fun, light read and THAT IS NOT WHAT I GOT AT ALL. What a wild life story. Erika is a badass, and when a badass experiences something like the abuse and trauma she went through with her husband and then is brave enough to tell that story to the masses she paves the way to help countless other women who may be in similar situations. Thank you for that, Erika. I'm so glad you've finally found some peace.
Now, she probably could have benefited from a better editor... I was surprised by the number of basic, easily catchable typos. However, I really enjoyed the way the story was structured and how she intertwined the flight checklists with her story. As a pilot I probably enjoyed it a bit more, but only because I could relate to a number of her experiences.
Now, she probably could have benefited from a better editor... I was surprised by the number of basic, easily catchable typos. However, I really enjoyed the way the story was structured and how she intertwined the flight checklists with her story. As a pilot I probably enjoyed it a bit more, but only because I could relate to a number of her experiences.
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