Five Hundred Feet Above Alaska: The Heart-Stopping Adventure Novel of an Alaskan Bush Pilot

by Robert M. Brantner

Five Hundred Feet Above Alaska is the story of Peter Connors, a young man who moves to Alaska in pursuit of his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. While the pilots in Alaska are known for their superior airmanship, they are also famous for their disregard of the rules that govern them. Determined to ultimately be an airline pilot in “the lower forty-eight,” Peter vows to walk the straight and narrow. Yet, when Peter is the only pilot available to rescue a comrade who crashed in the snow-covered tundra, he is forced to compromise the very ethics that define him. 

Over time, Peter’s competence begins to overpower his regard for the rules. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Peter begins a downward spiral. The life Peter had carefully constructed for himself is at odds with the “live or die” flying of Alaska. Over the course of a year of doing battle with the elements on a daily basis, armed only with his plane, his wits and his skill to bring him home every night, Peter must decide whether it is more important to embrace life or cheat death.

Genres: Aviation

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 19, 2019

Reviews

[Sean Patrick Holland]

Of all the books I've read, this is the second most recent.

[Russ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A morality tale? Or not? I don't know what to make of this book.

While the book topic is about flying in Alaska, the first half reads like something you might buy at a Christian book store. Not necessarily a bad thing if that's what you're looking for, but there's no indication of that on the cover or description. The first half makes you think "oh, the author is trying to make this an uplifting, inspiring tale of working through personal challenges, faith and redemption". But it mostly wasn't, really.

The main character is a young, innocent adult.
He has never dated.
He doesn't drink.
He doesn't believe in premarital sex (and lets everyone know it).
He goes to church every week and invites friends.
He even gives sermons at church.
He prays a lot.
He follows the rules exactly.
He doesn't get jokes.
He doesn't believe in wearing fur.

All of these issues are mentioned repeatedly. Predictably, throughout the book, he gradually strays away from all of these beliefs (never does get jokes though). So, with all that buildup, you'd think that by the end he's going to have an epiphany, realize his spiral of despair, fix his life and go back to the way he was. Nope. Well, he does become a reformed heavy drinker in about one page, but the rest of the things don't change. For example, he never does go back to church. So what was the point of including that whole secondary storyline? It made for a very odd tale.

As for the flying-in-Alaska part of the book, that was entertaining, but there was no ONE BIG MISSION that occupied the majority of the story, where he crashed in the wilderness, or unexpectedly transported drugs or anything like that. All of the flying scenes were in small snippets of just a few pages.

Really, the book seemed less about "heart-stopping adventures" and more about the daily life of a bush pilot - how they got their assignments, personal interactions, what it's like to live up there, etc.

I did give it 3 stars because I enjoyed the flying scenes, but the rest I did not find compelling. I found the main character unlikeable, and even by the end of the book didn't really care what happened to him in his career.

[Braden Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenally written and is easy to get into! Dialogue and character development allows you to truly understand who each character is. Crazy sad twist within the book. Overall one of my favorite books about flying and Alaska.

[Mark Ackeret · Rating 2 out of 5]

I assume Robert M. Brantner is no writer. Whatever he does, he should probably just stick with it. The novel is entirely too long, extremely predictable, and contained some repeated spelling errors (i.e spells brakes as breaks). The book contains little flying and instead focuses on the daily life of the flying company in a journalistic style. Pete, the main character, is painted from the beginning as a religious nut and slowly caves and compromises into an unlikeable (by the reader), alcoholic character. I saw no real point to this subplot. The other characters are underdeveloped and basically say the same thing everytime they appear. Disappointingly, the book contains no real climax or exciting action (interesting because the theme certainly grants the opportunity). Overall, I questioned the point of continuing to read and had to will myself to turning the pages. It reminds me of an amplified high school or low-level college story/essay writing project. Don't waste your time.

[michael langey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm

This book started out great. I spent a lot of time in Alaska, mostly as a fisherman, but I also had my own Stinson 108-2. I was one of those pilots that the author described as flying in the bush, but not being a bush pilot. If it matters, I am 74 years of age. The last half of the book was so focused on romance, that I had to push my way through it. I have friends who are commercial pilots and I was ready to recommend it, but I won’t. What I’m saying has nothing to do with the quality of your writing, it has to do with the change from flying as a bush pilot and learning in Alaska, to getting married and having a kid.

[Jim Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic presentation of bush flying in Alaska. During my 30 years as an Alaska Harbor Pilot, many flights were made to and from pilotage jobs in bush planes. Some were in the area described in Bob's novel. The close-call descriptions were quite authentic and in some cases, brought back memories of real flights. Anyone who wants to read about the Alaska not seen by tourists will find this novel to fall in the can't-put-it-down category

[Patricia S. Vanderwest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flying in Alaska sounds exciting and terrifying

Wow! I really enjoyed this book! I learned about Alaska, flying, and personal resiliency. The story moved quickly and I found myself making time to return to the story of Peter (Pete) and his adventures in flying around Alaska, as well as navigating his way through human relationships.

[LL · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Alaska love story with great description of bush flying.

I liked the description of bush flying in the Alaska wilderness and beginning a career as a pilot. The added factor of a romance was an add on,but enjoyable. I see some reviews didn't think it was necessary and detracted from the actual everyday nuts and bolts of bush pilots. The romance bit added another dimension.

[Kabir Mehta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read, especially for an aspiring/student pilot

I learn well from the wise, the kind, and the experienced. It is apparent that the author has all three qualities especially within the technicalities, culture, and quirks of aviation. I recommend this to anyone who has had at least a few hours behind the stick.

[Cindy Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read for pilots

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm a 30 year pilot who dreams of flying in Alaska, but I have not done it yet. The flying stories are engaging, and the (very) lowest point about flying in the book is true, well-written and powerful.

[Kristine M Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Story

The storytelling was masterful. Sadly, the editing was sub-par, so I kept getting thrown out of the immediacy of the adventure because of it. Except for that, I enjoyed the book immensely!

[Edward B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

I think to say that the story old has universal appeal might be an understatement. I love it partly because it expresses the values I tried to relate in my own novel “Betty-Jean The Magic in the Music.” The parallels are amazing. I recommend this book to anyone.

[Nancy Younghans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alaska and flying—what a combination

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in flying. The experiences described are fantastic. Reminds me of our adventures flying our Piper Cherokee in Alaska.

[Rita Friesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good pilot read, cheesy characters

Being a pilot, I found the look into bush flying interesting. But the writing was disappointing, the characters shallow and predictable, the plot disjointed.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and learning about bush pilots in a fun way. The book got a bit stodgy about 2/3 of the way in, and probably could have excluded a couple chapters here without missing much from the story, but overall it was pretty good.

[bringer of snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy, and fun read. I read how quickly the book moved and didn't seem stagnate.

Lost 1-star because it didn't talk about the actual bush flying in Alaska enough, for my liking at least.

[Kenneth P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great believable and down to earth

While.the dialogue was a little dry and predictable, I enjoyed this easy read. Great characters and plots. I would recommend.

[Dee Madonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bush pilots

Flying in Alaska bush is a dream come true, lots of experience and life threatening things can happen and lose the love of your life, because of the
Love of money.

[Dennis Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful bush pilot novel

I really enjoyed this book and was sorry when I finished it. I normally read non fiction but this is well worth your read!

[Matthew T. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too long. Too many spelling errors. Maybe written by Chat GPT with no editing? Disappointing.

[Rei Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish this book kept on going. I couldn't put it down! Soo good!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting and Adventurous

Brantner’s story-telling transports you directly to a profession that many desk-tethered, mid-level corporate managers only dream of. Although the main character reminds us of the individualism, integrity, and principaled living that this profession demands, he is yet confronted with some of the very messy and dangerous vagaries characteristic of bush flying in Alaska. Brantner also provides us with an interesting window into how the other half, non-military pilots, have earned their wings at major airlines. Through his colorful illustration of grit and determination, Brantner inspires anyone seeking entrance into this elite profession.

[Kait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable. It's a great read.

I just finished reading and it's awesome.
The way Bob captures the seasons and the general feel of Alaska is engrossing.
Even though it's a work of fiction there are many stories here which resonate directly with reality.
Be sure to read the forward and the acknowledgements. They will give you a deeper appreciation for the author and how close this book might well dance with reality.

Nestled in all this reality is an enjoyable easy read. Great character development, and great environments.
Buy it, read it, love it.