Blackout

Flight 60 hits severe turbulence on approach to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, with Captain Daniel McFadden at the controls. The episode appears routine until McFadden realizes he has no memory of the last three hours of the flight. As aviation experts investigate the incident, other commercial pilots report similar blackouts and memory gaps during their flights. The FAA and NTSB rush to determine the cause while planes remain in the air across the United States. The race to solve the mystery forces investigators to consider both human and technological factors as potential culprits. FBI agents join the investigation when signs point to possible criminal involvement. The novel explores themes of vulnerability in complex systems and questions about who controls the technology humans depend upon. Through its aviation industry setting, it examines the intersection of human consciousness, national security, and public safety.

Readers found this aviation thriller engaging but predictable. They praised Nance's technical accuracy and aviation details, with multiple pilots noting the realistic cockpit scenes and procedures. Likes: - Fast-paced plot that builds tension - Accurate portrayal of airline operations - Clear explanations of complex aviation concepts - Strong female protagonist Dislikes: - Dialogue feels stilted and unnatural - Too many coincidences drive the plot - Characters lack depth beyond their professional roles - Ending wraps up too neatly Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,124 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (89 ratings) "The aviation scenes shine but the character development falls flat," noted one Amazon reviewer. Multiple Goodreads reviews mentioned difficulty connecting with the characters despite enjoying the premise. Several readers compared it unfavorably to Nance's earlier works, with one stating "Airframe by Michael Crichton did this story better."

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Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child A research team in the Arctic discovers a frozen creature that awakens to threaten their lives while cut off from civilization.

Free Fall by Kyle Mills An FBI investigator tracks a series of commercial airline disasters linked to a conspiracy within the aviation industry.

The Night Crew by Brian Haig A military investigator probes a helicopter crash in Afghanistan that points to sabotage and a broader military-industrial plot.

🔹 Author John J. Nance is a licensed aviation attorney and retired airline captain, bringing authentic technical expertise to his aviation thrillers. ✈️ The book explores electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons, which were first discovered as a side effect of high-altitude nuclear testing in 1962 during Operation Starfish Prime. 🔹 The novel's premise of aircraft being disabled by EMPs reflects a real concern in modern aviation, leading to increased EMP protection in military and some civilian aircraft. ✈️ Nance has served as an aviation analyst for ABC News and appears regularly on Good Morning America to discuss aviation safety issues. 🔹 The author wrote Blackout while actively flying as a commercial airline pilot, incorporating real-world flight deck procedures and airline operations into the story's details.