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If You Ain't a Pilot...
Cockpit chaos and classroom camaraderie fuel the entropic adventures of Second Lieutenant Ray Wright and his fellow classmates of UPT Class 88-07 at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. Though competing against one another for the flying assignments of their dreams, like the fearsome F-15 and F-16 fighters, a good mission sometimes takes a backseat to a good party or punch line in this classroom of cut-ups. The high stakes, however, loom over Lt. Wright. In a program where one out of three students fails, not everybody who starts UPT will finish it. And not everybody who does finish will get a desirable flying assignment. Some won't even escape the Columbus Air Force Base. Will Lt. Wright get his dream assignment flying a C-141 cargo plane based out of beachside Charleston, South Carolina? Or be forced to perpetuate the If you ain't a pilot... system as the dreaded FAIP (First Assignment Instructor Pilot) in Columbus, Mississippi? Set at the end of the Cold War in the heart of Dixie, IF YOU AIN'T A PILOT...crosses Top Gun adrenaline with Pee-Wee's Playhouse antics at a flight training base where Air Force idealism collides with Deep South heritage. Complete at 142,000 words, this comedic memoir written for a general audience charts the year when a newly commissioned officer is challenged not only by flight school but also by the Air Force dictum If you ain't a pilot, you ain't shit. Though a military memoir, IF YOU AIN'T A PILOT... is a story of youthful innocence, a happy tale of the best of friends. Beneath the story's surface layer of how an Air Force officer's aeronautical rating determines his worth, similar thematic layers unfold around gender, race, and other ways people define each other. At its core, this story is about people, our relationships, and how we choose to treat each other. While 30 years have passed since the memoir's events-and our aircraft, our enemy, and our pop-culture ties have changed-we still struggle with our differences. IF YOU AIN'T A PILOT taps into the mystic of Top Gun (the sequel of which is currently in development), the satirical wryness of Candide and Catch-22, and the allure of the air-travel genre captured by Mark Vanhoenacker's recent Skyfaring: A Journey with a Pilot (2015), Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff, and James Salter's The Hunters. More details are actual photos from Lt. Wright's year in flight school can be found at www.raymondjwright.com.
454 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2016
46 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Ray Wright
1 book11 followersAs an Air Force pilot, Ray Wright flew over 1,000 missions in the supersonic T-38A Talon. Before reporting to Columbus as a student in 1987, Wright graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Humanities - American Studies. He was born and raised in Peace Dale, Rhode Island. Ray, his wife Rachel, a 1991 graduate of the Mississippi University for Women, and their three sons reside in Central Massachusetts, where Ray works, coaches youth soccer, attends musical concerts, and shares his stories.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 27, 2017
I rate this book 5 stars not because his writing skills are top notch but because they're so human and it really makes think how it must be being a student pilot
April 3, 2019
I read this book before leaving for Columbus AFB to begin pilot training and thouroughly enjoyed the stories and writing style of the book. I gave a copy to my parents to read to give them a better perspective of what I was going through. After now graduating from Columbus and reflecting on my experience, I reread the book and got even more out of it because I now understand the technical terms he uses and what all the acronyms mean. It was interesting to see that the training done there today, as well as the city itself, are mostly the same as what's presented in this book. Many of the locations he mentions in the book are still there too! I recommend this to anyone thinking about becoming a pilot or people who know someone going through training. Even if that is not your interest, I still think people can find enjoyment in the funny stories of someone struggling to accomplish their dreams.
April 24, 2020
Outstanding book
I loved reading this book. I attended USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Williams AFB, AZ in 1979 - 1980 as a member of UPT class 80-05. Although I was at a different base, the similarities of his experiences to mine are uncanny.
This book brought back many memories of the year long adventure of pilot training; a year of hard work and extreme stress, but some of the best experiences of my life. Where else does a young non-pilot got to take a multimillion dollar, supersonic high performance jet on a solo ride to his assigned area and back.
I thoroughly enjoyed reliving my UPT experience thru this book. I highly recommend this book to all of my pilot friends or to anyone who wants to know what it is like to become a USAF pilot.
I loved reading this book. I attended USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Williams AFB, AZ in 1979 - 1980 as a member of UPT class 80-05. Although I was at a different base, the similarities of his experiences to mine are uncanny.
This book brought back many memories of the year long adventure of pilot training; a year of hard work and extreme stress, but some of the best experiences of my life. Where else does a young non-pilot got to take a multimillion dollar, supersonic high performance jet on a solo ride to his assigned area and back.
I thoroughly enjoyed reliving my UPT experience thru this book. I highly recommend this book to all of my pilot friends or to anyone who wants to know what it is like to become a USAF pilot.
July 28, 2020
Barely enough flying to keep me interested
Not a book about flying. Semi-entertaining, (semi-boring), memoir of jet school, family and friend anecdotes and low expectations. 20% flying. Really makes one wonder about the student pilot selection process, not to mention instructors! This book makes them all out to be nuts, misfits or sad sacks. Not the normal perspective on pilots. The title, intentionally ironic, is the effacing view of the mindset. Did need to be pared down a lot, but ok if you are a fast or skip reader.
Not a book about flying. Semi-entertaining, (semi-boring), memoir of jet school, family and friend anecdotes and low expectations. 20% flying. Really makes one wonder about the student pilot selection process, not to mention instructors! This book makes them all out to be nuts, misfits or sad sacks. Not the normal perspective on pilots. The title, intentionally ironic, is the effacing view of the mindset. Did need to be pared down a lot, but ok if you are a fast or skip reader.
April 12, 2018
Perfect
This book is a true reflection of how a pilot would travel through pilot training in the time. It was refreshing to read a collection of stories where the main subject did not always perform perfectly and detailing the stdps taken to scrape through.
This book is a true reflection of how a pilot would travel through pilot training in the time. It was refreshing to read a collection of stories where the main subject did not always perform perfectly and detailing the stdps taken to scrape through.
June 25, 2020
You ain't shit if you don't write review
I enjoyed Ray's easy going style of recounting his adventures. It always felt like I was there with him. Actually I couldn't put my kindle down.
I enjoyed Ray's easy going style of recounting his adventures. It always felt like I was there with him. Actually I couldn't put my kindle down.
October 19, 2020
My life is only interesting to me and mine.
No.no.no.he just doesn't get it. It's really ok to only be interesting to yourself. Just don't make the rest of us pretend to be interested.
No.no.no.he just doesn't get it. It's really ok to only be interesting to yourself. Just don't make the rest of us pretend to be interested.
April 26, 2021
Although a much earlier grad (Class 67A) I found it an enjoyable read.
Well written. Obvious the author would become a FAIP and had quite a few experiences doubt one student in a single class could have had all those experiences.
Well written. Obvious the author would become a FAIP and had quite a few experiences doubt one student in a single class could have had all those experiences.
October 29, 2020
UPT
Took me back to Moody AFB and UPT class 65C. Hardest 53 weeks of my life, and a period I think of with very deep emotions.
Took me back to Moody AFB and UPT class 65C. Hardest 53 weeks of my life, and a period I think of with very deep emotions.
December 13, 2020
Other than the parties, which I guess you had to be there, I loved this book. The author writes quite well. I'd recommend it.
January 24, 2017
Loved this book!
Read
January 3, 2021Great!
Brought back a lot of good memories. Ray Wright is a great storyteller. Laughed out loud several times. Loved it!
Brought back a lot of good memories. Ray Wright is a great storyteller. Laughed out loud several times. Loved it!
September 7, 2024
A heart felt and humorous ride for a US Air Force Academy graduate and his fellow officers through Undergraduate Pilot Training.
I could not put this book down. It was recommended to me by a fellow USAFA grad in Falcon Stadium as we won our first football game of the 2024 season. I was finished before Game 2.
When Ray Wright was learning more than just flying at Columbus AFB, I was still on active duty. So many of his stories about the jokes he and his friends played had me laughing till I cried. I never was a pilot, so you know the implication. But I flew T-41, and was part of the Argus flight test crew. So I understand and am nostalgic about the camaraderie and hijinks Ray describes.
Some of the technical descriptions of flight procedures might be a little dry for a non-military, non-pilot reader, but I found them fascinating. He is humble about his own capabilities but it is an impressive accomplishment to fly a T-38 Talon in formation. I have friends who washed out of UPT and had to join me in the "Real" Air Force because they couldn't stay on their lead's wing. Ray could do that obviously.
The best part is Ray's understanding of people. That understanding was developed in part by his experiences during his time at Columbus.
He mentions everyone's admiration of Top Gun, and I love that movie too. But it only hints at some of the deeper themes emerging from Ray's story. I'm not sure how it would do at the box office, but I'd love to see the movie!
I could not put this book down. It was recommended to me by a fellow USAFA grad in Falcon Stadium as we won our first football game of the 2024 season. I was finished before Game 2.
When Ray Wright was learning more than just flying at Columbus AFB, I was still on active duty. So many of his stories about the jokes he and his friends played had me laughing till I cried. I never was a pilot, so you know the implication. But I flew T-41, and was part of the Argus flight test crew. So I understand and am nostalgic about the camaraderie and hijinks Ray describes.
Some of the technical descriptions of flight procedures might be a little dry for a non-military, non-pilot reader, but I found them fascinating. He is humble about his own capabilities but it is an impressive accomplishment to fly a T-38 Talon in formation. I have friends who washed out of UPT and had to join me in the "Real" Air Force because they couldn't stay on their lead's wing. Ray could do that obviously.
The best part is Ray's understanding of people. That understanding was developed in part by his experiences during his time at Columbus.
He mentions everyone's admiration of Top Gun, and I love that movie too. But it only hints at some of the deeper themes emerging from Ray's story. I'm not sure how it would do at the box office, but I'd love to see the movie!
November 24, 2020
One of the best flying books I’ve read
I greatly enjoyed this book! The book is the narrative about Ray Wright’s year training to fly jets on an Air Force Base in Mississippi. Unlike any other book I’ve read that talks about the training pilots go through, his book is a wonderful narrative about both the training, the people, the environment and the hijinks and the bumps along the way. He has a forthright way of telling his story, all in the first person. His story of a bunch of 20-year-olds finding their way both in life and increasingly difficult flying demands was a pleasure to read and I always looked forward to picking up the book.
I greatly enjoyed this book! The book is the narrative about Ray Wright’s year training to fly jets on an Air Force Base in Mississippi. Unlike any other book I’ve read that talks about the training pilots go through, his book is a wonderful narrative about both the training, the people, the environment and the hijinks and the bumps along the way. He has a forthright way of telling his story, all in the first person. His story of a bunch of 20-year-olds finding their way both in life and increasingly difficult flying demands was a pleasure to read and I always looked forward to picking up the book.
August 24, 2020
This author helps us wanna-be fighter pi!ots
The book puts you in My Ray Wright's pilot seat. He tells the ups and downs of USAF pilot training. Wright describes the give and take between student , instructor and fellow students. You can feel Wright's tension as he tries to get ahead of his aircraft. In the beginning the plane is flying him. As he becomes more experienced you can tell Wright's confidence as he begins to really control his aircraft. The book is funny and enjoyable. Read this book.
The book puts you in My Ray Wright's pilot seat. He tells the ups and downs of USAF pilot training. Wright describes the give and take between student , instructor and fellow students. You can feel Wright's tension as he tries to get ahead of his aircraft. In the beginning the plane is flying him. As he becomes more experienced you can tell Wright's confidence as he begins to really control his aircraft. The book is funny and enjoyable. Read this book.
November 27, 2025
E, no downgrades!
Great read and brought back a lot of memories! Ray captured the emotions, excitement, and moments of sheer panic and exhilaration (sometimes simultaneously) of being a recently-paroled USAFA grad trying to navigate the next career step, knowing you’re always three rides from kicking rocks in the parking lot. Reading this gave me a visceral pre-checkride gut cramp I still feel 40 years later every time I go to the sim. Would love to read a sequel! (From a Cadet Horse Head survivor, ENJJPT 90-08).
Great read and brought back a lot of memories! Ray captured the emotions, excitement, and moments of sheer panic and exhilaration (sometimes simultaneously) of being a recently-paroled USAFA grad trying to navigate the next career step, knowing you’re always three rides from kicking rocks in the parking lot. Reading this gave me a visceral pre-checkride gut cramp I still feel 40 years later every time I go to the sim. Would love to read a sequel! (From a Cadet Horse Head survivor, ENJJPT 90-08).
February 3, 2023
Thumbs up from a fellow Rhode Islander
I can relate to the author's experiences. I am from Rhode Island and also was in the AF in Mississippi at Keesler AFB in 1970. Though at Keesler the student pilots were ARVN . Tanks for the fun read and have a cabinet on me!
I can relate to the author's experiences. I am from Rhode Island and also was in the AF in Mississippi at Keesler AFB in 1970. Though at Keesler the student pilots were ARVN . Tanks for the fun read and have a cabinet on me!
December 24, 2016
WOW! What an amazing book and great memoir! Ray did such a great job writing this and was able to keep me wanting more. You do not need to be in the military to appreciate the selflessness sacrifices that our military and pilots give up to keep us safe. Thanks RAY!! I won this great book on GoodReads and like I do with most my wins I will be paying it forward by giving my win either to a friend or library to enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews