(Response From Book Review “The Sky’s No Limit,” Round The World Air Race – 1994) Herbert H. Halperin, Author aiches3@aol.com
Dear Herbert:
I wanted to let you know that I finished the book. What a great tribute to you and Willie! Many exciting moments described in the air and unforgetable stops along the way as I found myself right there in some cases next to you in the plane and on the ground.
I flew from Minneapolis to St. Lucia roundtrip in a BE 76 Twin Duchess in January 1997 and I had a blast just doing that. I remember, as sometimes you described, the difficulties of getting through the paperwork and the lack of common sense operations at the smaller airports or hotels on our journey.
I did something, which helped me to understand your routes. As I read the book, I used Google Earth and followed each leg and each description, and moved the map accordingly. Most entertaining was your stop in Russia, and on Google Earth, I was able to almost see everything you were describing by clicking on town locations with the map.
I like the ending notes in the book about moving on, and that it reminds me to try to continue with goals I’ve set in life. (As I keep) my dream alive of becoming a commercial pilot for the airlines, I remind myself of those words which you wrote: “I am the master of my fate…I am the captain of my soul.”
Thank you for sharing your experiences of flight and letting me ride along!
Very best!
Al Lien
Champlin, Minnesota