The Wind Beneath my Wings - John Hutchinson, Concorde Pilot

[Flying Lawyer]

I'm part-way through this well written and fascinating biography which has just been published (June 2011) and it's so good that I recommend it even before I reach the end:

The Wind Beneath my Wings - John Hutchinson, Concorde Pilot
by Susan Ottaway. (ISBN: 978-0-9562176-2-2)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/JohnHutch.jpg


Although best known as a senior BA Concorde captain, John Hutchinson started his flying career in the RAF. He served from 1955-1963 (Harvard training in Canada, Shackleton pilot in Singapore, QFI/IRE) and was a corporate pilot for three years before joining BOAC in 1966. He was, successively, a 707 and 747 co-pilot and then a captain on the VC10 before being selected to be a Concorde captain.
He remained on the Concorde fleet until retirement, and was a Route Check Captain. The magnificent supersonic airliner was the love of his aviation life and Concorde fans (like me) will find the tales from the sharp end interesting, informative and enjoyable.

Those who have the privilege of knowing John 'Hutch' won't be surprised by his own description of his distinguished career: "I have never worked in my life. I've been paid to enjoy my hobby in the company of some of the finest people I have ever met - my fellow aircrew."

His very interesting life hasn't been all happiness. He's experienced tragedy and great sadness, and some genuinely 'near death' experiences - not only in aviation. I don't exaggerate. Just two examples:
In 1968, after only about 18 months with BOAC, he was Second Officer on BOAC Flight 712 (http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/311275-ba712-boac-b707-crash-heathrow-1968-a.html) in which five people died at Heathrow.
In 1984, John, his wife and two friends were captured and held captive by pirates while on a sailing holiday in the Caribbean. I won't go into detail here, but what was done to John and to his wife before they managed to overpower their evil captors makes harrowing reading.

John has always given back to the profession that gave him so much pleasure and his contributions to aviation over many years were recognised in 1999 when he was elected Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (http://www.gapan.org). He remains an active, highly respected and very popular 'Past Master' of GAPAN.

A great airman, who has flown more than 70 types, he is now happy flying the Auster Aiglet in which he bought a share shortly before he retired. Having spent 15 years flying at 23 miles per minute, he describes being overtaken by family cars on the motorway below as 'rather humbling'.
Retiring from professional flying hasn't meant slowing down in any other sense - he is much in demand internationally as an aviation consultant, expert witness, broadcaster and speaker.

In his Foreword, former BOAC captain Lord Tebbit describes the book as a 'must read' for anyone interested in aviation, Concorde and the history and times of the second half of the twentieth century.
I agree.


Very highly recommended. :ok:

[M2dude]

A superbly interesting read, written about arguably the most eloquent of all Concorde pilot speakers.

One of life's true gentleman and a superb pilot, it is a long overdue biography, well done Hutch.

Best Regards
Dude :O.

[speedbirdconcorde]

Very much looking forward to reading this....

Cheers,

d

[AirResearcher]

Excellent, I will have to purchase this. I met Capt. Hutchinson on G-BOAC LHR-IAD in 1993 when I was very privileged to visit the flight deck, really nice guy - and what a view from his 'office'!

[Flying Lawyer]

I don't know if the book is available in bookshops yet. I ordered mine direct from the publisher.
They have an introductory offer at the moment, but I don't know how long that will last.
Google 'Speedman Press'.


Tudor

[Jane-DoH]

I think I'll order that book...

[Feathers McGraw]

Received my copy this morning, will have to put it down to go to Waddington tomorrow, but an interesting read so far. I had no idea of the upheavals in John's early life, so it's been a voyage of discovery even in the first part of the book.

[Heliport]

Signed first edition?

If you are going to the Flying Legends airshow at Duxford this weekend, John Hutchinson and the author will be available to sign the book at the 'Aviation Bookshop' stand on Sunday.


H.

[newt]

Yeh and while your there you can get a signed copy of The Lightning Boys !! :ok:

[Flying Lawyer]

A WIWOL and WIWOC meet? ;)

[ChristiaanJ]

Where can I order this?
Followed the earlier links but it seems there was only a limited print run, with all the remaining copies now on the way to Duxford for the 'signing event'.....

CJ

[stilton]

Likewise, I have not been able to find where I can order this book online.


Amazon, for example is a dead end.:uhoh:

[John Hutchinson]

The 1st edition of the book had a limited print run (200 copies). It is only available through SpeedMan Press Web Site (http://www.speedmanpress.co.uk) or email [email protected] There are still a few copies left and the 2nd edition should be available late September 2011.

[stilton]

As much as I would like a copy it's a bit dear for me at present.


Any chance it will be available more widely and a little lower priced on it's second printing ?

[Feathers McGraw]

Pleased to see John pop up here, I've reached the early 60s in the book and after reading of his various near-death experiences so far I was a bit worried that he wasn't going to make it to the end! :D

[John Hutchinson]

Yes I'm still hanging on!

[BSAA1947]

... and what an absolutely fascinating life story it's been so far John! The book is an excellent read, beautifully written by Susan Ottaway and difficult to put down.

[Helol]

Damn, the website states they are now out of stock.

[John Hutchinson]

Please don't despair; the 2nd edition will be coming out late September. It is due to be printed in Hong Kong and it will be a much larger print run.
We only did a limited run of 200 copies for the 1st edition as we were not sure the book would have any appeal. I think the quality of Susan Ottaway's writing has ensured that it does in fact have appeal!

[ian.whalley]

It could well be that Aviators and those interested in Aviation find the life of the subject and his achievements to be of considerable interest.
:)

[IO540]

I see Amazon are taking orders for September delivery. I've ordered one :ok:

Was on one of the last Concorde flights in 2003. An amazing machine.

[John Hutchinson]

The second edition is progressing; it is being printed in Hong Kong. The date has slipped a bit though; it looks as though it will be available late October.

[T-21]

I too have ordered thru Amazon really looking forward to this book.

[BSAA1947]

I have twice posted messages about this book for those waiting to get a copy, but on both occasions my messages were (presumably) blocked by moderators, although if that is the case I was not contacted and therefore have no idea why.

So, one last attempt and perhaps it'll be third time lucky!

I simply wanted to inform people that this book is now available once again from the publisher's website (Speedman Press). If you have been waiting for it to be available I would urge you to move fast as I've been told it is proving very popular.

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Why don't they sell it through Amazon?

[BSAA1947]

They do, but unfortunately Amazon are incredibly inefficient when it comes to updating their site once books are available. For that reason, if you want the book soon it's best to get it straight from Speedman Press.

No doubt Amazon will sort themselves out at some stage, but it's anyone's guess when!

[ChristiaanJ]

BSA1947,
I did order my copy from the publisher a few weeks ago, in the end, and have just received it a couple of days ago.

Ordering wa straightforward, but of course I don't know how many copies they have left.

CJ

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Ah! I see Amazon now do sell it. Just 4 copies left as I post this.

[Flying Lawyer]

stilton As much as I would like a copy it's a bit dear for me at present.

Amazon has dropped lots of prices in the run up to Christmas.
The book is currently £18.87 & free delivery (UK)

A bargain. :ok:
I paid full price (£29.95 + postage) for my copy and thought it was worth every penny.


FL

[AN2 Driver]

Got my copy last week. Great book, super to read. Very open, honest and matter of fact about many things that most of us would not even consider to talk about.

Thank you John for sharing your life with us in this book!

:D

[Heliport]

Very open, honest and matter of fact about many things that most of us would not even consider to talk about.

I agree.
Most of us would not have had the courage to mention those events and they are, as you say, dealt with in a very open, honest and matter of fact way.


H.

[Ocean Person]

John Hutchinson;

I have sent you a PM regarding an old friend. Regards.

OP.

[T-21]

Wife has my copy will have to wait till Christmas Day. Amazon kindly gave a refund as the price has come down wife very pleased :hmm:

[Wander00]

T21 - on my Crippy present list too, from up the South American river

[merv32249213]

John
Started reading your book ,very honest. Was at at McAlpines 61/66 as an inspector supervisor and have other memories that you may or not recall that are still in my head.
Early morning, laying down in the grass to kill a partridge and finished up with nothing but a heavily pelleted bunch of feathers.

Doing a hovering balancing act with the company Rapide whilst I marshalled you in ,scared the pants off me.

One query, after you had your Helicopter crash, did your transport have a bump with a local candidate for the elections, Driver a Lady someone??

Have some good memories of Macs,thanks again ,now where did I put my glasses so I can read more.
Mervyn Tew

[millerscourt]

Flying Lawyer

I think you will find that Tebitt was a F/O in BOAC not a Captain.

[T-21]

Still reading but what a nice honest book full of highs and lows of a busy life. I like the quotations at each chapter and the style of photograph presentation. Essential reading for anyone contemplating an airline life but it has changed drastically since the fun days. :ok:

[John Hutchinson]

You are correct. Lord Tebbit (or Norman Tebbit as I knew him in BOAC) was a Senior First Officer on the verge of doing his Command Course when he stood for Parliament and ended up being elected as a MP. The rest, as they say, is history. I am especially grateful to Norman for writing the foreword to the book bearing in mind his busy schedule.

[John Hutchinson]

Nice to see your comments Mervyn. They were happy days at Macs. Yes I did have a bump with someone and it was a Lady (I had better leave her name out of it but she lived near Offley). My brother in law was the Vicar at Boroughbridge for a number of years and now lives at Nun Monkton so we come up that way quite often. Time for a drink now; cheers!

[Helol]

Finally got round to ordering my copy on Amazon. I look forward to reading it.

[John Hutchinson]

If anyone is going to Farnborough I will be there doing a book signing on Monday 9th. Further details to follow once I know the precise location and timings!

[FlightstigSteve]

I have this book on my wishlist at Amazon and hope to buy it very soon. I was inspired to buy the SSTSIM Concorde add-on for my Flight Sim by the video of John Hutchinson and his team operating a Concorde flight on youtube. It looked like a rush, so I'm trying to learn more about this wonderful piece of kit myself.

So far, after a steep learning curve I've managed to achieve a Mach 2 cruise climb just south of Ireland heading out on the North Atlantic track and hope to learn the descent, app and landing procedures over the next few days.

What a magic aircraft this was....