Fire and Air: A Life on the Edge

Why is flying so great? That is the question I've often asked myself. Some biographies of super-pilots don't go much further than to say that flying was all the author ever wanted to do since he was a kid, and then fail to make clear what it really is about flying that touches them so deeply. In this book, however, the author sheds more light on the issue. She tells us about the feelings and emotions that flying an airplane evokes. Wagstaff really tries to make you feel what goes on in her head (or heart) when she flies, why she gets such a kick out of flying.To me, that was the aspect of the book that really stood out for me. For the rest, the book was just a fascinating read. Wagstaff has lead an amazing life, and she writes well about it.

In the office of my flight instructor, there is a framed autographed poster hanging on the wall showing an Extra 300S banked at a reasonable angle in a climb. Closer inspection reveals that the background of sky and ground is reversed, the plane is actually at the top of a loop, heading downward. The top left headline reads, "Man was not meant to fly like this" and the sassy bottom tag line reads, "Man doesn't." A picture of Patty Wagstaff, flashing a provocative, over the shoulder smile, completes the image. That poster was my final nudge to begin aerobatic training, and I purchased this book to gain insight into the life of someone who not only mastered the field of competitive aerobatics, but also learned how to market her skills effectively. I wanted to know how she did it, and where the drive came from. The answer is surprising, and painful. One begins to wonder if she would have bothered if her family of origin had been more normal, more pleasant, or if she had been allowed to give her talents free rein. Would we be celebrating her artistry in watercolor, instead of aerial performance? The first third of the book is gritty, and reads like an exercise in emotional therapy, of a boomer coming of age when society was tearing itself up. Start reading it by playing some CD's of the era, or the Forrest Gump soundtrack, turn on the UV lamp and light up an incense stick.For the remainder, pull your harness extra tight and hang on. It is a fast ride, from learning to fly at 30 to entering her first contest at 34 to becoming US National Champion at 40. The value she places on having good friendships is obvious, as she names and credits everyone who helped her along the way. She was a teachable ex-hippie, who quickly made peace with machinery and power. She also had the inestimable advantage of a husband who introduced her to flying and enabled her gypsy lifestyle to enter contests and airshows. Not many of us can say, "Honey, I need a new $200,000 plane to be competitive this year." Well, we can say it, but it won't happen for most of us.Pilots will enjoy the technical footnotes, but I recommend this book for anyone wanting to know what it takes to excel in any field, or to recover from a less than perfect start in life.Patty's answer? It takes all that you have.

I appreciated the honesty in this book. Especially concerning the struggles and sacrifices it takes to become number one in your field. This book has inspired me to go as far as I can in the aviation world.

This was a book I couldn't put down. Although the writing style is not 100% focused, this story of one woman's quest to find herself and her purpose in life was inspiring. Growing up in Japan, Switzerland, and California, with post-adolescent years in Australia and Alaska, Patty's life has been far from common, yet she touched a part of me left over from the 70's. I'm sure other women will relate to her yearning search for her own identity as well. In addition, her explanations of flying, aerobatics and why she was drawn to aviation are clear enough for the layman, yet inspiring for other pilots as well. Although Patty is no longer a competition pilot, her book clearly shows that she has what it takes to make a mark on whatever she chooses to turn her attention & dedication to in the future. Go girl!!!

This book made me laugh; it made me cry. Patty, in speaking for herself about aerobatics, and why she flies, has spoken for me as well. I loved reading of her wild youth, and the wanderings of her young adulthood, and how, when she discovered flying, these apparently aimless wanderings gave way to an intensity of focus and commitment that led to her breakthrough achievements. Patty shows how flying brought meaning and purpose to her life. We see a restless hippie transformed into a brilliant and talented performer, and fierce competitor. We see her become the first woman to win the National Aerobatic Championship, and go on to win two more times, proving she is the best aerobatic pilot in the country and one of the best in the world. In telling her story, Patty seems to pull few punches, telling her truth about her parents, her ex-husbands, and her sister and fellow competitors. The details are often fascinating; the whole, a powerful insight into the mind, the motivations, and the experiences of a champion. Patty's achievements inspired me in my own quest to fly in aerobatic competition. Her success has opened the way for many other women to reach for their goals in aviation. Reading her story has inspired me once again to keep striving for my next goal.