Flight

By: Neil Graham Hansen, Luann Grosscup

Narrated by: Capt. Neil Graham Hansen

Neil Hansen began his aviation career as a pilot for Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa. He spent more than a decade in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War as a captain for Air America, the CIA's airline that operated there during the Vietnam era and the Secret War in Laos. Neil reveled in the risky flying that fed his adrenaline addiction. Upon returning to the States, ultimately unable to find work and unable to let go of the Air America exhilaration rush, he saw the profession he loved come to an end when his trajectory veered off course.

This historical aviation narrative incorporates the pathos of a war zone, humor, and candid insight. Neil pulls the listener directly into the cockpit, onto dirt mountain landing strips, into the raunchy brothels of Laos, alongside his first toddling steps into Buddhism, aboard the plane he flew out of Cambodia hours before it fell to Khmer Rouge, down the road of self-destruction and beside him as he regains a foothold on the path to integrity.

©2018 Neil Graham Hansen, Luann Plamann Grosscup (P)2020 Neil Graham Hansen, Luann Plamann Grosscup

Worth it if you have interest in Air America

Discovered this one listening to the Spycraft 101 podcast (which is awesome) and decided to give it a listen. Solid book that tells the story of one guys experience working as a pilot for Air America. Aviation buffs will love it. Air America buffs will love it.

Extraordinary book!

If you’re into Air America, Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos war in the 60s and 70s or your an aviation enthusiast and like good pilot stories this is the book for you! Great narration also included.

Thank you Capt Hansen

Captain Hansen, thank you for sharing your story, experience, and thank you for your service.

A nakedly candid biography

The author did a good job of reading the book. I was impressed with his candor and honesty about all aspects of his life. Is great sense of humor came through very clearly in the book. I highly recommend this book.

I could not stop listening!

This is an excellent aviation book narrated by author himself. As he reads, you will hear the authentic emotion in his voice. It's the personal biography of a CIA pilot who flew in Southeast Asia during Vietnam war.
I became immersed in his detailed descriptions from the pilot's seat as he flies various cargo on CIA covert missions. Being a pilot, and having been a passenger on a C-123 Provider in the 1970s, I was familiar with this plane as he described it's operation and various virtues.
This book is also a historical piece about US government secret involvement in Laos, Cambodia and vietnam.
A highly recommend this book.

From a fellow traveler in another time

I almost could see the challenges you faced. Fly Safe, Tree top Flyer.


In peace,

Kevin

A Must Read for all Aviators

Neil tells us his story about what is undoubtedly some of the greatest and most thrilling flying that ever happened from a bygone era of aviation and US history. His storytelling ability is top notch. It’s easy to imagine yourself right there with him in Southeast Asia, flying props in the mountains of Laos or visiting the watering holes frequented by Air America Pilots and CIA men. A must read for any aviator or history lover.

A new favorite!

One of the best nonfiction books I have ever read. The storytelling is impeccable. I have known about air america for a long time, but never heard the stories from the pilots' mouth. Just great!

A reaonaby good story

The overall story is fairly good, but I’m wondering about this writer’s ethics. In chapter 14 he recounts with glee advising a pilot to vacation in Africa, but purposely sending the poor man on an arduous nightmare. And again he did the same, sending newlyweds to an agonizing trip to India. The writer seems to luxuriate in describing his rather pointlessly spiteful sense of humor for no purpose.