Forget the book, but seem to remember a BOB fighter pilot swirling around in
a fight at the frigid flight levels on a sunny day, after getting hit along with
the frozen blood, smoke, etc., he either bailed out or landed his crippled plane on a golf club fairway where he was then lambasted by the club manager for interrupting play at a very exclusive club.
See posts 41 to 44, you may have upset some posters. Aeroplane or aircraft might be better.