What do you think?
Rate this book
Vertical Lift
Born into a nation divided by race and class, and a home cleaved by tragedy, George Kelham’s wants were few. He wished for a happy family, a place to belong, and the freedom to find success through hard work. Oh, and somehow, to fly…
Conscripted into service as a teen by a country at war with itself, George's first experience on a helicopter was spent peering out its open door with a gun on his hip. As he fought to keep himself and others alive, he vowed that someday he'd be that guy: the one who dropped platoons into thick wilderness, and the one everyone longed to see show up for rescue after. A pilot.
Fleeing home at the behest of his parents when it became clear how little those in command valued the life of young men, George journeyed the world alone through the unforgiving terrain of African nations, London's wild, wonderful, and impoverished punk rock scene, America's stretching highways, and through the relentless cold of Canadian winters. Through it all, George held on to his dream. Little did he know, obtaining a pilot's license would only be the beginning of a much wilder ride.
Vertical Lift is the dramatic and inspiring true story of how one man can lose everything, time after time, before eventually achieving freedom, family, home, and success.
Conscripted into service as a teen by a country at war with itself, George's first experience on a helicopter was spent peering out its open door with a gun on his hip. As he fought to keep himself and others alive, he vowed that someday he'd be that guy: the one who dropped platoons into thick wilderness, and the one everyone longed to see show up for rescue after. A pilot.
Fleeing home at the behest of his parents when it became clear how little those in command valued the life of young men, George journeyed the world alone through the unforgiving terrain of African nations, London's wild, wonderful, and impoverished punk rock scene, America's stretching highways, and through the relentless cold of Canadian winters. Through it all, George held on to his dream. Little did he know, obtaining a pilot's license would only be the beginning of a much wilder ride.
Vertical Lift is the dramatic and inspiring true story of how one man can lose everything, time after time, before eventually achieving freedom, family, home, and success.
253 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2022
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
George Kelham
2 booksPilot George Kelham is a former Rhodesian military marksman and United Nations pilot who has lived and worked in such places as South Africa, Britain, The United States, Rwanda, Guatemala, Somalia, and Canada.
He is the owner of a successful helicopter company, Slave Lake Helicopters, and lives in both Northern Alberta, Canada, and Las Vegas, USA.
He is the owner of a successful helicopter company, Slave Lake Helicopters, and lives in both Northern Alberta, Canada, and Las Vegas, USA.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 12, 2022
2.5. Very interesting read especially since I know George and definitely interesting stories that awed me but the writing wasn’t terribly amazing. Was pretty flat and felt like it just goes from one event to the next following a list versus a flow of story telling. But glad I read it and got the opportunity to ask George about his experiences after.
August 6, 2025
Excellent, riveting, heartfelt:)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews