You can't Fly by the Seat of Your Pants - The Memoirs of Holly K. Robinson

Holly Robinson has been a pilot for over 60 years. He has seen the industry change from a curiosity to a major influence in today's culture. In addition, he has had a distinguished career as a machinist, inventor and gunsmith.  

This is the story of his life in aviation with side trips into other areas. Growing up in Flagstaff, Arizona in the early 1900s, he saw Western civilization in an early form. He took his private pilot check ride at a dirt airfield called Mines Field in West Los Angeles, which is now branded with the initials LAX. Having survived a near fatal crash in Mexico City (in which he was not the pilot), he and his wife Mildred eventually adopted four Mexican daughters.  When Holly was about to take his Commercial Glider check ride, the weather caused repeated delays. He told me, “I hope I can get this before I'm 85.” He made it by about a week. At 89, he is still a smooth, competent pilot and flight instructor.  As the icing on the cake, he is also a very good writer. This book held my interest all the way through.

King Povenmire

Aviation Safety Consultant Eugene, Oregon