Bush pilots...The book!!!

[abezzi]

For all former, actual and wanna be bush pilots! This is a must read book!!! I just started to read it and I cannot stop...but I need to go to fly!!!
"Flying asses through Africa" by Jack Mitchell

https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Asses-Thr ... und+Africa (https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Asses-Through-Africa-Mitchell-ebook/dp/B01MSXMY7F/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482298181&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Flying+asses+around+Africa)

An amusing and politically incorrect look at aviation in the Dark Continent

Charter flying for the Safari industry sees some very interesting people and not all of them act rationally. From time to time there is some strange behavior, some of it funny and some of it definitely not!

This text encompasses 150 short stories with everything from racism to nothing short of clinical stupidity. Little moments I am sure some people pray would be lost or forgotten - alas here they are.

As I wrote this I started to believe it to be more of an amateur study in behavioral thinking or maybe a lack of thinking would be a more apt description. Some of the stories have some strong language much of which formed part of the moment.

Funny, sad, ludicrous, or moronic, just remember these were very real interactions. Enjoy.

[Savanna Dry]

abezzi, can't seem to find the name of a publisher to order a copy. Only a Kindle version which could just be self published. If so why?

We have two published books. One commissioned by a publisher the other a follow on by the same publisher. Both in book form the latter also Kindle. If you can't persude an agent or publisher that it is a good prospect it is probably not worth going ahead. Interested to know more.

[abezzi]

As long as I know is possible to order the book in paper version and ebook only trhough Amazon.
I believe that is a self -published book, no publisher involved, is not the first time I read a book self published and until now I haven't been disappointed

[Savanna Dry]

abezzi, I agree with you totally. I know from experience that it is very difficult to get published. We went through 5 re-writes over 10 years, gave up and then got lucky. Now awaiting an approach for film rights! Just had one translated and published in Estonian. We just sold the rights. Can't imagine they will get a return. The translator had great difficulty with British wit and repartee. As did our original American editor!

However at the end of the day it is down to credibility.

[cavortingcheetah]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1520119011/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1482508624&sr=1-1&keywords=flying+asses+through+africa

[Band a Lot]

In what period was this written?

[cavortingcheetah]

Copyright 2016.
Introduction starts with reminiscence in 2015.
Book dedicated to Steven J. Hollingworth, 1962 -2010.
A2 MUB is a real life flying machine.

[Band a Lot]

300ish pages from1962-2015. That could cover just some rumors of things on just 1 company.

So were A2-TEN, A2-FUN, A2-ZED & A2-MAD but certainly not an operation that should be included in same sentence as A2-MUB operator at that time.

[abezzi]

It dosen't cover the period 1962-2015, but covers about 10yrs, from 2006 till nowadays

[Flying Bean]

Just downloaded it onto my Kindle.
Kindle edition appears to be available only in Kindle/Amazon UK, but it is FREE!!
Looks interesting and the book that all us bush pilots said "one day I should write a book about this"

[The Ancient Geek]

Just finished reading the Kindle edition.
Entertaining, but some of the errors (probably in the scanning to digital) are a tad daft.
Kindle is very bad at reproducing pictures but any fool can see that there is something wrong with the photo of an AN-2 .........

A good read.

[Flying Bean]

Interesting! About half way through and its a good collection of stories that any bush pilot in Central/Southern Africa will know ring very true about the joys and frustration of the job.
I found the author's commentary and opinions a bit overpowering, (I always found the wannabes and pilot/pax interesting) but nevertheless a nice memoir of many shared experiences that I also experienced in the trade.
I appears the author was an 'older' starter in the bush pilot experience. I assume his name is a pseudonym as this 'Jack Mitchell' does not exist on google but good luck to him putting all this down that many of us have said 'I should write a book'.

[noflynomore]

For those expecting a work of literature or even a "book" look elsewhere. This is an unattractive, disjointed and poorly written collection of repetitive and highly opinionated short episodes and rants from the lives of various bush pilots penned by someone with a low opinion of much of the human race (ie non-pilots) from the viewpoint of a low-houred sky-god. (lower case intentional).

Trite, contentious and superficial though with just enough aviation content to keep a keen bush-aviation anorak going for a while. Non-anoraks and non-bush aviators - don't bother.

A good example of why self-publishing exists.

[Savanna Dry]

I have just discovered who the author is. Have known him for many years professionally and socially. Have yet to read the book but he is a great guy and an outstanding pilot. Flown with him a few times RHS. And, as pax many more. He is our personal pilot! Guess you know who I am now book mate!

Can't comment on the content of course but as the author of two books, commissioned not self published, I recommend the tough route of spending years of finding a publisher and editor then accept many re-writes. Pain in the butt stuff. My second book took 10 years and 5 re-writes. Now on the second edition.

[Redsteel]

For those expecting a work of literature or even a "book" look elsewhere. This is an unattractive, disjointed and poorly written collection of repetitive and highly opinionated short episodes and rants from the lives of various bush pilots penned by someone with a low opinion of much of the human race (ie non-pilots) from the viewpoint of a low-houred sky-god. (lower case intentional).

Trite, contentious and superficial though with just enough aviation content to keep a keen bush-aviation anorak going for a while. Non-anoraks and non-bush aviators - don't bother.

A good example of why self-publishing exists.
@noflynomore... It sounds like you might be a non-pilot character in the book... or just a muse for the sequel

[Deltasierra010]

Any aviation enthusiast would enjoy this book, be he or she a PPL or Glider Pilot or wannabe commercial, the tales Jack tells are spot on I have been there several times. Most bush pilots have not been to charm school so expect them to tell it as it is and not to tolerate fools. Your BA captain would not get involved with loading bags for difficult passengers, there are minions to do that he just flies, maybe he gives a weather prospect on arrival and that's it. Personally I really liked the Russian pilots story landing in Congo using a hand held GPS, real seat of the pants flying.

[noflynomore]

It sounds like you might be a non-pilot character in the book

Very droll indeed redsteel but sadly no, just someone who is largely literate and isn't blinded by a low hour and inexperienced novice coming the Big I Am.