Flight of Passage

In 1966, two teenage brothers rebuilt a vintage Piper Cub airplane and flew it across America, becoming the youngest pilots to make the transcontinental journey. Rinker Buck, the younger of the two brothers, recounts this true story of their daring flight from New Jersey to California. The narrative follows the extensive preparations, including the painstaking restoration of their aircraft and the planning of their route. Through Buck's recollections, readers experience the challenges of crossing the continent in a basic plane with minimal instruments, landing in small towns and farms along their path. The memoir explores the complex relationship between the brothers, set against the backdrop of their unconventional upbringing by their father, a publisher and former barnstorming pilot. Their journey represents both a physical achievement and a pivotal moment in their transition from boys to young men. The book stands as a testament to youthful determination and the uniquely American spirit of aviation pioneers. Within its pages lies an examination of family bonds, personal growth, and the profound impact of taking risks in pursuit of seemingly impossible dreams.

Readers connect deeply with the coming-of-age story and complex relationship between the Buck brothers. They praise the detailed aviation descriptions and technical accuracy while noting the book remains accessible to non-pilots. Readers highlighted: - Raw honesty about family dynamics - Balance of adventure and emotional depth - Vivid descriptions of 1960s America - Humor throughout serious moments Common criticisms: - Pacing slows in middle sections - Some found the father's character treatment harsh - Aviation details occasionally too technical Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (480+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Captures both the thrill of flight and pain of growing up" -Goodreads "Made me laugh and cry, often on the same page" -Amazon "As much about fathers and sons as it is about flying" -LibraryThing

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🛩️ The two teenage Buck brothers (Rinker and Kern) were the youngest pilots to fly coast-to-coast across the United States in 1966, at ages 15 and 17. 📚 Author Rinker Buck waited nearly 30 years to write about this adventure, publishing Flight of Passage in 1997 after a long career in journalism. ✈️ The brothers flew their journey in a restored 1946 Piper PA-11 Cub Special, which they nicknamed "Willie," making the trip in 6 days with 23 stops. 🗺️ The cross-country route they followed was similar to Cal Rodgers' historic first transcontinental flight in 1911, taking them from New Jersey to California. 👨‍👦 The boys' father, Tom Buck, was a larger-than-life publisher and former barnstorming pilot who both inspired and complicated their aviation dreams, adding emotional depth to what could have been a simple adventure story.