Happy Landings

Ref: 4364

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{detailed description}Born three years after the Wright brothers made their first historic flight, Edward Mole has lived through and taken an active part in aviation from the early pioneering days. His career as a pilot spans some 50 years, during which time he has flown 148 different types of aircraft from World War I vintage, through World War II and into the jet age.
The author was one of the pioneers of the British gliding movement, holding Certificate No. 6, and the story describes the efforts of early enthusiasts with their primitive equipment and limited knowledge who, although they made no outstanding flights, did contribute towards the present development of the sport. He was also a founder member and former chairman of the Popular Flying Association and gives an interesting history of the first few years of the P.F.A. which led up to its rapid growth and present success.
During World War II the author was closely connected with the technical development of military gliders which were used so successfully by our Airborne Forces. After D-Day he was seconded to B.O.A.C. as manager of their Development Flight, newly established to test the planned range of postwar civil airliners on their routes. He later joined the National Gas Turbine Establishment at Farnborough as R.A.F. representative responsible for liaison between technical staff and R.A.F. Squadrons then becoming equipped with jet engined aircraft. After retirement from the R.A.F., he was appointed Director of Civil Aviation in the Bahamas in charge of Nassau International Airport, and he relates various interesting and amusing incidents of life in that 'tourist paradise'. Subsequently he started his own aviation consultancy business in London.
The author vividly describes the carefree life in the pre-war R.A.F., the traumatic war years and the post-war era of great development in aviation. It is a nostalgic story enriched with many amusing anecdotes of incidents and personalities encountered. HAPPY LANDINGS is a cheerful book which should appeal to everyone interested in the sport of flying and the development of aviation since the early days.
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Group Captain Edward Mole
Published by Airlife 1984 1st edn. 222pp illustrated, index, appendix. 14x22
{condition}very good, including d/j.
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