Landings in America: Two People, One Summer, and a Piper Cub

by Peter Egan

In the summer of 1987 automotive journalist Peter Egan gave in to his lifelong fascination with classic airplanes and pursued the third branch of his addiction to romantic modes of travel—namely, flying. Carrying only the barest essentials—a pup tent, a wad of cash, and a change of clothing—Peter and his wife Barb took off on a six-week, seven-thousand-mile trip around the US in their yellow 1945 J-3 Piper Cub. The places they stumbled upon and the people they encountered would change their lives forever. Between musings on being outpaced by the toy-sized eighteen-wheelers beneath their wings and flashbacks to nearly setting a Pulitzer Prize–winning author’s house on fire, Egan captures the essence of a modern pilgrimage.

Landings in America is Peter Egan’s homage to the enduring spirit of exploration that has defined his work. Punctuated with the witty repartee that his longtime readers have grown to revere, the story is equal parts travel adventure, memoir of post-Vietnam era America, and trek into personal reflections triggered by the places and names one couple encountered along their flight path.

Always in the background of their trip is the unspoken search for a new place to live, far away from the urban sprawl and crowded freeways of California, a possible rehearsal for someday flying home.

477 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Bronson]

There was a time when this would have been one of my top 2 or 3 bucket list items. Flying around the country in a slow, vintage, VFR airplane. Landing at small airstrips away for big cities and just exploring and experiencing the country. I've read Peter's columns in Road & Track and Cycle World for years so hearing he tell about this trip was like listening to an old friend.

[Gregory W Pappas]

Peter Egan is an excellent writer with a great sense of humor. As a car buff, lover of motorcycles, and former Naval Flight Officer this book was a must read for me. But it is much more than a book about flying. It's about the love of America and the wonderful experience Peter and his bride have in living the dream. It may have been a little long, but Peter's humor kept the book alive to the very last chapter.

He describes America from a low slow Piper Cub. Hang gliders, and ultra lights are also in touch with their fellow flying friends’ hawks and eagles, but without the endurance and range of the Cub. The book reminded me the childhoods dreams of self-propelled flying. Something a Cub can get you closer to than an F14 Tomcat. It is important to note that Peter is very sensitive to the dangers of flying. He turned around on his last leg of the trip. Smart move. "Get home itis" could have cost him everything.

Caution. This review may be biased. I bought the same Ducati ST3 Egan had including his raised handlebar design. I also wrote to him regarding why my 1965 Royal Enfield Interceptor is more fun than the Duck.

[clearThumbtack]

I really enjoyed this book. It chronicles the author and his wife flying across the United States in their Piper J-3 Cub in the mid-1980s. Each chapter captures the places they visited, the stops they made, and the people they encountered along the way. Published in 2025, the book also includes reflections on how many of those destinations have changed—airports closed, restaurants gone, hotels that no longer exist—which adds a thoughtful and nostalgic layer to the story.

I enjoyed reading about the practical challenges of making such a journey in a fully loaded J3 Cub. The performance limitations, weather considerations, and logistical hurdles give the trip a unique texture. As a pilot, it was that “airplane side” of the story that drew me in from the start.

I also appreciated the author’s writing style. As a professional magazine writer, he brings polish and structure to the narrative, weaving in quotes from other works and delivering it all with a sense of humor that resonated with me.

I read the hardcover edition, which includes a section of full-color photographs taken along the way. I loved that addition—it made the adventure feel even more personal.

[Karl L Mumbower]

great stories about people met and experiences along the way

I recall reading Peter Egan articles in road and track and love flying so figured this would be an excellent read. Was not disappointed. The book isn’t a guide on how to fly cross country. Although flying a cub is the central thread it’s more about Peter’s experience with locals they met while traveling and the side bar stories that come naturally. Was a great read and will look forward to other books he’s already written.

[Brian Rankin]

A memoir and travelogue about an extraordinary trip Egan took across America in an underpowered airplane. He documents the people he meets (old friends, new friends, and relatives) and since it happened in 1987 provides many updates. He has a fantastic way of speaking about any type of transportation and the people that love cars, motorcycles, boats and airplanes.

With most stops in small airports and out of the way hotels he also discusses what was on the news during that summer with stories that still resonate almost 40 years later.

[Marc]

I really enjoyed this book. The author and his wife did something that a lot of pilots dream about: taking a long period of time and slowly traveling from one end of the US to the other and seeing friends and visiting cool aviation sites. You would think the narrative would become repetitive, but it did not. There were surprises around every corner! One reason I didn't rate this book five stars is that the author decided to add his political opinions to the narrative and they should have been left on an overleaf someplace. I don't read aviation books to read stuff like that.

[William]

The prose, the pace, the voice of the author are classic Egan in this memoir. It is a good deal more than a travelogue. You come away from reading it with a better understanding of Egan the man, the writer, the husband.

[tracy]

Somehow, Peter Egan's prose is exactly my cup of tea. The details of a trip, marked with interesting individuals & experiences, make up the most interesting thing in the world in his hands. I cannot put this memoir down. Thanks again Mr. Egan.

[Paul]

Loved the plane, loved the writer's words, and the 1000 ft views of USA in the time before 9/11. Write on Peter.

[John]

really pleasant travellogue.

[Roberta]

What a fun book! This book was an adventure story and was really well written.

[Sally Blaze]

Fun read. Not for everyone. I enjoyed their adventures.

[Curtis Brown]

A charming, slice of apple pie, flying survey of 1980's small town (and landing strips) Americana.

An amazing trip well told.

I'm not jealous. Nope. Not a bit.