Kick the Tires and Light the Fires: My Life as a Naval Aviator, FAA Test Pilot, and Aviation Consultant

by David Paul West

298 pages, Paperback

Published April 9, 2024

Reviews

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

Kick the Tires and Light the Fires is an in-depth account of a lifetime devoted to aviation. The story chronicles the author’s pursuit of his aspirations while being guided by the tenets of personal integrity and unwavering adherence to principles.

This memoir covers the author’s life from early childhood through his time as a combat naval aviator and his career as a civilian test pilot. Undaunted by a childhood injury that could easily have kept him from pursuing any number of occupation paths, the author decided early on that he wanted to become a professional aviator. This initial hurdle offered the first of many examples of his determination to overcome obstacles that could have easily derailed his quest to achieve his personal and professional goals.

The first-person narrative style is clear and forthright and is easily followed when the author is describing his personal experiences and observations. He does not gloss over his own mistakes and faults and does not shy away from assessing the shortcomings of some of his associates and higher-ups.

The account is exceptionally well documented. A basic set of military and technical terms and acronyms are defined in a glossary, and many more are embedded throughout the narrative. These elements can occasionally dominate the story. This may discourage all but the most dedicated readers.

Kick the Tires and Light the Fires could easily be overlooked as just one of the many published memoirs offered up by former U.S. naval aviators. What sets this account apart is the author’s singular career as a non-military test pilot after leaving naval service. Highlights for the reader are the many instances of the author’s courage to stand by his convictions: “Doing what I believed was the right thing at the right time was the only way to do it, even if it meant the possibility of losing my job.”

Review by Peter Young

[Stephen Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing, insightful tour through modern aviation history as seen through the eyes of a naval aviator who had been there and done that, Kick the Tires and Light the Fires by David Paul West will keep the reader engaged throughout. Never afraid to speak out about anything in the industry, commercial or political, that might compromise pilot and passenger safety, the reader will get a behind-the-scenes view into how it all comes together, occasionally, as with the Boeing 737 Max air disasters, in spectacularly disastrous ways.

My only qualm with the book is that Rebecca (Becky) West did not take more credit for her work in picking up a project left unfinished after the loss of her husband and, diligently and faithfully, saw it through to a most satisfactory conclusion.

Kick the Tires and Light the Fires is unhesitatingly recommended.

[Nancy Hakari-gorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

David West was my mother's brother. I always looked at him with awe and now I know why. Unfortunately careers and family prevented us from doing life together but I'm grateful he wrote his story and now I know him better. What an amazing man and one who cared deeply about doing the right thing for the right reasons and keeping the flying public safe.

[Rob Ballister]

Read and scored as part of the Military Writers' Society of America 2026 awards season. See mwsadispatches.com for details.