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Flying Low
The memoir of a U.S. Navy fighter/attack pilot from 1956 to 1980. (What it was like to fly jets off aircraft carriers in the days before smart bombs, GPS, and automated carrier landing systems.) After two years at the University of Arizona, the author entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in Pensacola, Florida, and became a carrier-qualified jet pilot at age twenty. As a naval aviator, he flew 3,669 hours in thirteen different types of aircraft, made 652 carrier landings (163 of them at night), and flew 183 combat missions during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and thirteen Air Medals. He went on to command Attack Squadron 35 aboard USS Nimitz.This is the story.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2012
63 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 17, 2020
Excellent writing, compact yet comprehensive
A natural writer and highly skilled professional analyst as well as warrior aviator, command officer, family man and horseman. He should have made ship captain and admiral but was too valuable at the Pentagon JCS and suffered several other unfair career delays. This was his misfortune but he made many enduring contributions to our military thinking, procedures, capabilities and allied security. Nevertheless, he writes to instruct and entertain, with not a word wasted on poor sportsmanship. He was raised a true cowboy with a heart as big as it gets. This is a great story, worthy of many campfire tales that are tall but true. It's hard to put down because the writing is so streamlined and covers so much territory quickly. And no nonsense. Very smart man, a credit to all, including this literary genre.
A natural writer and highly skilled professional analyst as well as warrior aviator, command officer, family man and horseman. He should have made ship captain and admiral but was too valuable at the Pentagon JCS and suffered several other unfair career delays. This was his misfortune but he made many enduring contributions to our military thinking, procedures, capabilities and allied security. Nevertheless, he writes to instruct and entertain, with not a word wasted on poor sportsmanship. He was raised a true cowboy with a heart as big as it gets. This is a great story, worthy of many campfire tales that are tall but true. It's hard to put down because the writing is so streamlined and covers so much territory quickly. And no nonsense. Very smart man, a credit to all, including this literary genre.
August 15, 2017
Superb
I did 25 years and retired an O-6 like Capt Bryans. I haven't read much for pleasure but aviation, and there is not much good aviation that I have not read. Flying Low is one of the best. I detected no mistakes or BS. I skimmed some of the horseback riding of his youth, but probably should not have. Bryans is that rare aviator who can make the non-airborne portions fascinating too. I loved this book and will read it again.
I did 25 years and retired an O-6 like Capt Bryans. I haven't read much for pleasure but aviation, and there is not much good aviation that I have not read. Flying Low is one of the best. I detected no mistakes or BS. I skimmed some of the horseback riding of his youth, but probably should not have. Bryans is that rare aviator who can make the non-airborne portions fascinating too. I loved this book and will read it again.
December 11, 2017
Outstanding!
As a Navy veteran, I spent two years on a carrier as a photographer capturing on film Navy life as he wrote in this book. It brought back many fond memories. Well done!
As a Navy veteran, I spent two years on a carrier as a photographer capturing on film Navy life as he wrote in this book. It brought back many fond memories. Well done!
December 31, 2017
Great Book
Very interesting hard to put down.
I can highly recommend it for anyone interested in flying. It is very well written.
Very interesting hard to put down.
I can highly recommend it for anyone interested in flying. It is very well written.
April 21, 2018
Excellent, humble and insightful look into the transition from the 50's adolescent jet age through Vietnam. Great read.
June 2, 2018
Flying low in phone booth.
As an A4 pilot, I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it for all pilots. Kept my attention throughout. .
As an A4 pilot, I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it for all pilots. Kept my attention throughout. .
January 10, 2019
Great story!
Liked it, all y’all gotta read it! As good as suckin th’ the heads outta boiled crawdads an’ twice as tasty!
Liked it, all y’all gotta read it! As good as suckin th’ the heads outta boiled crawdads an’ twice as tasty!
April 28, 2019
Awesome Book
This was a great book and learned a lot the stories were funny and some ironic or heart rendering. I looked forward to reading more of his books.
This was a great book and learned a lot the stories were funny and some ironic or heart rendering. I looked forward to reading more of his books.
April 10, 2020
A4 pilot
Flew A4c’s from deck of USS intrepid CVA-11 during Vietnam crisis so was able to put myself in this authors shoes-excellent read!!
Flew A4c’s from deck of USS intrepid CVA-11 during Vietnam crisis so was able to put myself in this authors shoes-excellent read!!
August 5, 2020
Great read
It’s an easy read on a great era of aviation. Enough detail to understand the circumstances but so much to loose the overall picture. I could not put it down
It’s an easy read on a great era of aviation. Enough detail to understand the circumstances but so much to loose the overall picture. I could not put it down
November 24, 2013
If you are like me and miss shooting the breeze in the cockpit on long flights, you gonna love this book. Rich in content and gentle with its facts Flying Low feels like a great conversation with a fellow aviator.
April 9, 2013
Good read.
March 26, 2013
Not exactly my cup of tea. Long winded description of a naval aviator's career.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews