Flight from the Croft

As a barefoot lad in the Outer Hebrides, Bill Innes dreamed the impossible dream of becoming a pilot and this book tells how that dream came to pass.The author’s career of over forty years spanned a period of incredible advances in the air – now regarded as a golden era in aviation. After gaining his RAF wings in Canada he really started to learn his trade by flying pre-war Dakotas for British European Airways around the Highlands and Islands of Scotland – one of the most testing aviation-operating areas in the world. The experience was to stand him in good stead as he moved to London to fly classic 20th century British aircraft such as the Viscount, Comet, Vanguard and Trident.The narrative comes alive through tales of the many characters encountered in a time before flight recorders. There are authentic versions of some of the most famous anecdotes in the folklore of the sky, but also reflections on training philosophy and techniques which have a relevance outwith aviation. Along the way he explored his limits, barnstorming vintage aircraft in Tiger Club displays – surviving one breach of those limits which should have proved fatal!Progressing to being a training captain, Bill was happy to pass on his experience to colleagues. As one of the team that introduced the Boeing 757 to British Airways, post-retirement, he was privileged to be the trainer on the first flights of charter airlines such as Air 2000 and Canada 3000 before his swansong, flying long range Boeing 767s for Alitalia.Technical background is lightened by the thread of humour which runs throughout and there are also some sage words of comfort for the nervous passenger.

Reviews of Flight from the Croft

`There are copious good quality illustrations – some of BEA Herons took my eye in particular. …well written, with lashings of humour, and will no doubt prove very nostalgic for those many members who started their commercial career in the piston era'. Air Pilot ——————– 'His accounts of planes and the people involved with them are both perceptive and amusing. Go, fly with Bill!' Scottish Island Explorer ——————– `…funny, full of anecdotes and bristling with unforgettable characters'. West Highland Free Press ——————– `…contains a wealth of stories from the hilarious to the heart warming to the tragic, and includes some of the pranks he got up to with others in his early years as a pilot. …his memoir is a fascinating, informative and entertaining story…' Am Bratach ——————– `…an inspirational book… …an amazing account of an insider's view of commercial aviation in Britain… …his tales of flying, initially mainly based in Scotland, bring vividly to life a world that is now long gone. …should be regarded as essential reading by anyone with an interest in aviation, and especially commercial aviation'. Undiscovered Scotland