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Born to Fly
From the age of three, Shane Osborn dreamed of being a pilot. He began learning the skills he would need to fly as a member of the Civil Air Patrol, a branch of the U.S. Air Force, when he was just twelve years old. But it wasn’t until he graduated from the naval ROTC program at the University of Nebraska and joined the navy that his dream became a reality. For five years, Osborn practiced rigorous training exercises, working tirelessly day in and day out until he advanced from navy pilot to mission commander.
All Lt. Osborn’s flying skills were put to the test when a Chinese F-8 II fighter jet collided with his EP-3E ARIES II plane during a U.S. surveillance mission through international airspace. The impact severely damaged Osborn’s aircraft, sending it plummeting toward the ocean. With almost certain disaster looming, Osborn managed to gain control of the crippled plane and land it safely on the Chinese island of Hainan—saving the lives of his twenty-three crewmates.
In Born to Fly, Shane Osborn describes these terrifying events in vivid detail, along with the years of dedicated training that made the emergency landing possible. This is the inspirational story of a boy with a dream, and of the extraordinary discipline and courage that made him a hero.
All Lt. Osborn’s flying skills were put to the test when a Chinese F-8 II fighter jet collided with his EP-3E ARIES II plane during a U.S. surveillance mission through international airspace. The impact severely damaged Osborn’s aircraft, sending it plummeting toward the ocean. With almost certain disaster looming, Osborn managed to gain control of the crippled plane and land it safely on the Chinese island of Hainan—saving the lives of his twenty-three crewmates.
In Born to Fly, Shane Osborn describes these terrifying events in vivid detail, along with the years of dedicated training that made the emergency landing possible. This is the inspirational story of a boy with a dream, and of the extraordinary discipline and courage that made him a hero.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
10 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. French
26 books120 followers#1 Amazon best selling author Michael French graduated from Stanford University and Northwestern University. He is a businessman and author who divides his time between Santa Barbara, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is an avid high-altitude mountain trekker, as well as a collector of first editions of twentieth-century fiction.
He has published twenty-four books, including fiction, young adult fiction, biographies, and art criticism. His novel, Abingdon’s, was a bestseller and a Literary Guild Alternate Selection. His young adult novel, Pursuit, was awarded the California Young Reader Medal.
The Reconstruction of Wilson Ryder was published January 2013.
Mountains Beyond Mountains was published April 2013.
Once Upon a Lie was published March 2016.
He has published twenty-four books, including fiction, young adult fiction, biographies, and art criticism. His novel, Abingdon’s, was a bestseller and a Literary Guild Alternate Selection. His young adult novel, Pursuit, was awarded the California Young Reader Medal.
The Reconstruction of Wilson Ryder was published January 2013.
Mountains Beyond Mountains was published April 2013.
Once Upon a Lie was published March 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 9, 2012
This story is about Lt Shane Osborn of the United State Navy and how it was hard for him to get into the military. At the start of the story shane always wanted to become a pilot. He would tell everyone he would become a pilot. But it was a trouble because of the stuff that happened to him in his life. like the car crash and in the navy the plane crash to save his crew when his EP-3E plane was hit buy a chinese J-3II jet fighter.
this novel was an ok book I liked it and hated it at the same time. it did not have that much detail in the story. It did not have a lot of things it was bland to me because everything felt black and white to me.he discribed the start he had detail but at the end it got boring to me. he did not tell some part of the story that well he never told about his Boot camp story. The excitting part of the book waas when he was struck by the jet and that it.
read Born to Fly By Shane Osborn
this novel was an ok book I liked it and hated it at the same time. it did not have that much detail in the story. It did not have a lot of things it was bland to me because everything felt black and white to me.he discribed the start he had detail but at the end it got boring to me. he did not tell some part of the story that well he never told about his Boot camp story. The excitting part of the book waas when he was struck by the jet and that it.
read Born to Fly By Shane Osborn
November 18, 2013
Born To Fly
Shane Osborn
192
Bio
Born to fly is about a boys dream to become an Air force pilot. It all starts out when Shane Osborn was a kid. When he was young he sighed up for the Civil Air Patrol which is like Boy Scouts but you learn how to fly. Then Shane got in a car crash and got hurt badly. When they reconstructed his face he was good to go to flight school. Shane blazed through the ranks and was ready to fly. He went on a lot of mission but not like this one. He was flying in China's air space. Like always the chinese planes came to inspect him but one of the plane's hit Shane's C3 PE and he had to make an emergency landing at a chinese military airfield and struggles to get back home.
I really liked this book because it was very fun reading about how he landed the damaged plane also I like how it tells you how nervous he got and how he took care of the problems. I would rate this book a four point five because it would be kind of boring in sum parts.
Shane Osborn
192
Bio
Born to fly is about a boys dream to become an Air force pilot. It all starts out when Shane Osborn was a kid. When he was young he sighed up for the Civil Air Patrol which is like Boy Scouts but you learn how to fly. Then Shane got in a car crash and got hurt badly. When they reconstructed his face he was good to go to flight school. Shane blazed through the ranks and was ready to fly. He went on a lot of mission but not like this one. He was flying in China's air space. Like always the chinese planes came to inspect him but one of the plane's hit Shane's C3 PE and he had to make an emergency landing at a chinese military airfield and struggles to get back home.
I really liked this book because it was very fun reading about how he landed the damaged plane also I like how it tells you how nervous he got and how he took care of the problems. I would rate this book a four point five because it would be kind of boring in sum parts.
November 4, 2008
This guy is so freaking arrogant it's hard to get through the book. I wanted to read the story from his perspective so I made it through eventually. There are definitely mixed views on his 'heroism' throughout the P-3 7community, but it's hard to say what you would do if you were in his shoes. I'd say it's worth reading if you fly P-3s.
May 7, 2023
More like 3.5 stars. It’s a cool story. But choppy and a bit slow for the first two thirds of the book. I understand the need for the back story, it gives us knowledge of his training, but it was slow. Also, I might have given it higher ratings if it wasn’t so technically over my head. I don’t know planes, nor are planes my normal topic of interest, but, alas, this book was thrust into my hands by someone who loved it. So I acquiesced. Some young person who is interesting in becoming a pilot would probably love it and feel inspired by it.
Just a note for parents wondering about content concerns - this book does not contain any language, or violence, or sexual content. It is very clean. The pilot is just telling his story.
Just a note for parents wondering about content concerns - this book does not contain any language, or violence, or sexual content. It is very clean. The pilot is just telling his story.
June 14, 2017
Humility, a characteristic I was taught to value is one that Shane Osborn lacks. Osborn writes his life story as if it was a Greek myth with great obstacles, super human perseverance and performance. Many of his early life stories are beyond belief or common sense. Osborn's story is also his own with almost no non-family members involved, as if he alone faced these life events and thus he deserves all the credit. This tone overwhelmed Osborn's story for me which is unfortunate as otherwise this book might be one many young people might be interested it. As written it is not a story I would want my children to read as I still believe in the value of humility.
March 15, 2018
VERY interesting story about a multiengine Navy plane involved in a mid-air collision with a Chinese fighter aircraft off the coast of China in 2001. The Navy plane with its crew of 23 was forced to land in China. They were kept "as guests" of the Chinese until diplomats were able to force their release.
Though the story is old enough to be history, it can easily be replayed again to become a dangerous series of current events. It's a well told story about aviation and people under duress in a closed country that exists today.
Though the story is old enough to be history, it can easily be replayed again to become a dangerous series of current events. It's a well told story about aviation and people under duress in a closed country that exists today.
January 20, 2019
While I have no connection to the military (aside from my ongoing respect and gratitude), I found this book to be a captivating read. The detail-by-detail description of the disaster was riveting. The overarching theme of honor/character will stay with me.
November 14, 2008
This book finally got interesting about page 112 when the actual collision and terrifying 33 minutes following it were described. I suppose if I was interested in aviation and all the technical stuff involved with flying, the first 111 pages might have been more enjoyable to me :) I found the first person, somewhat boastful tone a little off-putting. A biography would have worked better than an autobiography subtitled "the heroic story." Heroes don't usually pat themselves on the back. Anyway, since we had Shane Osborn speak at our school for the Veteran's Day assembly I felt obligated to read his story(in the autographed copy of his book). FYI. Shane Osborn is now the State Treasurer of Nebraska. I'm not sure how that relates to flying, but I'm sure at times it can been quite terrifying!
December 12, 2013
Pretty good novel but the detail fades about mid way in the book, starts off very strong with great detail about him growing up with his first plane ride in a Cub then goes into deal about how he got accepted into the Navy. After that it turns to 20+ years crammed into 70 pages.. Good story line too.
October 14, 2014
Born to Fly by Shane Osborn was on of the best books I have read in a while. It tells a true story on how a kid made his dreams come true even though he went through many hardships including his parents getting a divorce. He never gave up on his dream and finished in the top of his flight class. I believe that everyone should read this book.
March 6, 2013
Excellent short biography about the creation of a naval aviator and the challenges he faces. Not just the challenges to achieve his dream, but also in the career and the events involving the Hainan Island incident.
March 18, 2014
Born to fly is about navy pilot Lt. Shane Osborn who was downed after his plane was hit by a chinese fighter jet. I think the book book was very good besides i think the beginning started slow. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the military or planes.
February 1, 2008
A very heart warming story.
December 16, 2010
I really like this book it has a great story. It is about a boy who loved to fly. He was a great flier in the Air Force.
October 3, 2011
One of the librarians recommended this to me and it was quite good and inspiring.
September 8, 2009
I loved this book!!!!
April 26, 2017
April
Born to Fly
Shane Osborn
Ever since the age of three Shane Osborn knew that he wanted to be a pilot. When he was twelve years old he became a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He also was in the naval ROTC in the University of Nebraska. After graduating from college he enrolled in the navy and worked extremely hard to gain the position of mission commander. On April 1, 2001 Shane’s team was sent on a mission near the island of Hainan, where a Chinese fighter jet collided with his plane. The impact caused Shane’s plane to descend to the ocean. But, Shane managed to take control of the aircraft and make an emergency landing in communist China. Him and his crew was interrogated for ten days, then were sent back home. Where he was named a war hero.
Shane worked very hard and learned many lessons during training. One lesson that stuck with him was to never give up. I think that is the theme, because after the collision thoughts rushed through his head and he realized that navy pilots should never just quit. Shane Osborn knew that he had crew members that he was responsible for and that if he gave up trying their safety would be at risk. Even during interrogation Shane refused to say it was the American’s fault for the sad event . He stayed strong through the whole story and never gave up even during the hardest times.
Born to Fly
Shane Osborn
Ever since the age of three Shane Osborn knew that he wanted to be a pilot. When he was twelve years old he became a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He also was in the naval ROTC in the University of Nebraska. After graduating from college he enrolled in the navy and worked extremely hard to gain the position of mission commander. On April 1, 2001 Shane’s team was sent on a mission near the island of Hainan, where a Chinese fighter jet collided with his plane. The impact caused Shane’s plane to descend to the ocean. But, Shane managed to take control of the aircraft and make an emergency landing in communist China. Him and his crew was interrogated for ten days, then were sent back home. Where he was named a war hero.
Shane worked very hard and learned many lessons during training. One lesson that stuck with him was to never give up. I think that is the theme, because after the collision thoughts rushed through his head and he realized that navy pilots should never just quit. Shane Osborn knew that he had crew members that he was responsible for and that if he gave up trying their safety would be at risk. Even during interrogation Shane refused to say it was the American’s fault for the sad event . He stayed strong through the whole story and never gave up even during the hardest times.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews