Customer Reviews

One Zero Charlie: Adventures in Grass Roots Aviation

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"One Zero Charlie" doesn't have much of a plot, being more of a collection of vignettes from the recreational pilot lifestyle. I obtained this book from the public library, but I enjoyed it sufficiently that I intend to purchase a copy for my own library. If you are a weekend pilot, or if you have enjoyed similar books like "Zero Three Bravo", "Weekend Wings", "Flight of Passage", "A Gift of Wings", etc. etc., I think that you would probably enjoy "One Zero Charlie" as well. The book does discuss two or three fatal accidents, all of which occurred during aerobatic practice. The author makes it clear that aerobatics is an inherently risky - but deeply satisfying- hobby.

Some may not like the emphasis of the book, but for what it does describe, it does very well. In fact, I'm hard pressed to think of a better book in this area. The recent Joshua Cooper Ramo book "No Visible Horizon" was an extremely poor effort by comparision. I think the balance described between author's natural caution and great joy in flying is described very well. It presents a accurate picture of what the "grass roots" private pilot should be (and actually is in most of my experience) ... cautious and joyful as opposed to reckless and ego-driven.

I read this book first in 1996, about a year after I got my pilot's certificate and during a time when I was really begining to experience "grass roots" aviation by getting a tailwheel endorsement in a Piper Cub. The content rang true then against my early experiences and spiked my interest in actually trying aerobatics. I talked to some local competitive akro pilots and was looking at taking some aerobatic training. In the years since I have done many more of the things the book explores (including buying a share in and flying the Pitts Special, which is very well described in the book). It all still rings true, even after I have seen, met, and talked to people in the book or those that know (or knew) them. Some of the "rowdy" behavior described at the aerobatic contest isn't seen during current IAC contests I've participated in and wouldn't be tolerated today. I'm told it was more relaxed 15 years ago.

The risks are real, but, as Gonzales says, are at least partially managable by the average pilot. A few accidents do occur every year, but many are preventable, with good maintenance and pilot decision making. A aerobatic pilot that doesn't "push the envelope" and avoids flying low (i.e. "airshows") can reasonably expect as long a life as anybody else. And by the way, I've never rolled a Pitts on takeoff and don't plan to! But the pleasures and risks of flying inside the whole envelope are eloquently described here and is hard to equal elsewhere!

This book covers the material masterfully. He explores the dark underbelly of what drives us to fly. He also reminds us of the people who forget "THE LECTURE". I don't recommend it for the person you wish to coax into the air, but for yourself, read it again, and remember the dangers. Use it to remind yourself that the urge must be controlled or else, like Amos, you will be sacrificed to it.

This is a collection of real stories from a small airport in northern Illinois. If you love small airports as much as I do, I can pretty much guarantee that you will fall in love with this book. The writing is excellent, and the stories are often spellbinding. Recommended for all pilots and aviation lovers.

I have been around general aviation my entire life yet I have struggled to communicate its ethereal grasp on my soul; One Zero Charlie does precisely that.

Gonzales has immersed himself in the general avaition culture and identified the essence of flight in small aircraft. While others have commented that he appears obssesed with death, I claim that he celebrates life.

If you have ever wondered why individuals go to great lengths to fly, read this.

Gonzales tells the incredible stories of past and present pilots of Galt field. His stories go into such incredible depth there is no longing for missed details. His descriptions of flying (why he flies, specifically) rang truer with this pilot than any other words put on paper, with the possible exception of Gordon Baxter. A satisfying book I won't pass on...I keep reading it over and over again!

Airplanes and pilots are interesting, but in the hands of a capable author they are fascinating. I am not a pilot, and I don't think I want to be one, but this book sits you down squarely behind the controls and flies......

I have read this book two times. My brother was a pilot and this gave me insight into the world of small aircraft aviation. The characters are larger than life and there are some great stories in this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who cherishes a way of life that may be fading but that has had it's moments of glory. I have read other books by the same author and really enjoyed them too.

I enjoyed this book, so I do not want to say it is not an enjoyable read, but I have to state a couple of facts. First, I don't really think of this as a look at 'grassroots general aviation.' So much of the book covers aerobatics - and some of the deaths that followed a couple of people in that pursuit. One of those deaths was pure pomposity, and another was high risk taking run wrong. If people thought this was general aviation, everyone would be afraid of small planes (actually most people already are anyway). I think the author focuses on these aspects because he wants to sort of glorify his own involvement in aerobatics. That's fine - I think anyone who does aerobatics deserves to get to tell some stories about it. But one should understand the crux of the book before buying it.

I agree completely with malibugrif's review. I have been active in grass roots aviation for more than 40 years and my experience is that Mr. Gonzales is writing about the people who have no business in aviation. He completely ignores the thousands and thousands of us who safely year in and year out visit our grandchildren and in-laws and national parks and provide rides in the name of charity and generosity. As a long time pilot and flight instructor, I am deeply offended by this book.