First solo flight made in July of 1962 at the Frederick MD. airport. The next year and one half were spent attending college and building time and gathering ratings. After a three year stint in Army Aviation, I ran a flight school near Winston-Salam NC while searching for my airline job none of which were to be had at that time. Signed up to become an air traffic controller which started in 1967 in Memphis TN. Continued building flying time in order to become more attractive to prospective airlines. Bounced around the ATC system chasing the better paying jobs which included moving on to various management positions all the while still looking for the professional flying job. Retired from my federal job in 1993 and became a full time air ambulance pilot until being hired by SkyWest Airlines in 1996 as the oldest (fifty-three years old) first officer they had yet to hire. All the while I pursued my other aviation passion, flying sailplanes. During the course of my various careers, I was involved in accident investigation (with the FAA) and making a video for SkyWest regarding flying in mountain wave conditions as well as being one of the pilots featured in the movie "Cloud Street, Soaring the American West". Now, after fifty-seven years with various types (and type ratings) of a number aircraft strapped to my butt and twenty one thousand hours flying time under my belt, I hope, via this tome, to share with you a few thoughts regarding my sordid past.

Amazon Best Selling author Chip Bearden, a soaring pilot since the '60s–before he could legally drink, drive, vote, or…you know. Guided by his flight instructor/coach/wingman father, Chip's ascent in the soaring world hit turbulence with a tragic crash. This book charts his journey before and after; balancing competing demands of the skies, career, and family; clocking 3,000 flight hours; overcoming challenges and setbacks; delving into the allure that draws pilots, climbers, auto racers, and others not despite but because of the risks they face.

The remarkable story of two generations of Schweizers whose passion for aviation led to the production of 6260 aircraft and made aviation history.