Ditching the Sky: A memoir of triumph against all odds

by Heidi A Porch

Heidi's story is extraordinary. Imagine being 540 miles from land, with nothing but water in sight, and then experiencing every pilot's worst nightmare - a complete engine failure. Heidi's fixed-gear Cessna bounced off the ocean's surface, flipped onto its back, and began to sink. What followed was a nine-hour ordeal, battling 10-foot seas in a tiny life raft, with the shadow of the Cold War looming as she was finally rescued by a Soviet vessel. Her story is not only one of survival, but of aspirations realized, love found, and then lost, and how childhood trauma became of source of strength to be called upon. It is a harrowing tale of courage, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.

218 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2024

Reviews

[David Crawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping Tale ... This engaging story kept me turning the pages late into the night – way past my normal bedtime. I had to find out how this tale would finally end. The author does a wonderful job of engaging the reader as she describes the details of her harrowing experience. As a fellow airline pilot who also had to “pay my dues” on the stairway to an airline career, I was able to appreciate the unique (and dangerous) type of flying she did in those early days of her career. I enjoyed all the technical details she provided in the body of the book and in the appendix, but readers don’t need an aviation background to thoroughly enjoy this exciting memoir. – David B. Crawley, M.D. – Author of “Steep Turn: A Physician's Journey From Clinic to Cockpit” and “A Mile of String: A Boy's Recollection of His Midwest Childhood.”

[Mary Halverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Heidi takes us on journey that many of us, both pilots and non-pilots have imagined….what if something really bad should happen?
In an easy reading style Heidi tells a story that would be a harrowing experience for anyone. Her preparedness and the good fortune to have had scores of professionals coming to her aid, finds a happy and successful ending.
Having the pleasure to have sat besides Heidi on the flight deck of an airliner numerous times, it was fun to read the ”whole” story of her early life and all that lead to successfully surviving this event.
Definitely worth your time reading this story!

[Lyndsay Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pilot it was a great read. Listening to the story of something that every pilot fears. Although you don’t have to be a pilot to read the story as she explains everything well enough. Can’t wait to discuss this one in a book club.

Also this is a fairly quick read. But it will keep you going as well.

[Ann Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really excellent and riveting read. The author was humble and humorous as she shared her experience of having to ditch a single engine airplane into the vast Pacific Ocean. This book is for everyone, pilot or not, who enjoys a fascinating adventure.

[Rose C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely enjoy the book. As a nonpilot, a lot of the beginning chapters talking about different planes and such, didn't make much sense to me.But I understand it as a set up for the rest of the book.
That being said, I definitely enjoyed it.And would recommend it to anyone

[Jim Dulin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confident pilots fly well.

Well written story of a highly confident pilot and also an excellent story teller. Keep telling them as you truly have standing.