Fire Flight

Rating:
Summary: It Has It's Moments
Review: As a retired firefighter and private pilot I was hoping for something really good from Nance. It turned out to be mediocre, but worth reading, especially if you're interested in the topic...fighting fires from the air.

I've always had the greatest respect for air tanker pilots. Having fought several campaign fires in my career, I know how valuable they are to fire attack, and I know firsthand (from the ground that is) the kinds of risks the pilots take every flight. The simple truth is that when conditions are bad there is no chance of containing a fire without air attack...period, end of story.

Because Nance is an experienced pilot, I enjoyed his descriptions of the flights and the dangers faced when aircraft fly into places they are not supposed to go. But I was disappointed with the incredible scenarios he drew to make the novel more exciting. Some of the pickles he put his pilots into were just flat out too hard to believe, even for fiction.

And even though I like the characters he created, they were so larger than life, that I had a tough time relating to them. The dialogue he put into their mouths seemed almost laughable at times, yet I must say, I kept on reading, and I grew to like the characters the more I read.

However, I was tempted at one point just to throw down the book in disgust and say "Come on John, this is just too much...it's simply not believable...even for fiction." But I stuck with the book and Nance reclaimed his credibility to some degree as he finished the story.

I think the best fiction should read like good non-fiction. John had an opportunity to deliver some insider information re air tanker firefighting, and he only did a halfway decent job describing that reality. The tale he weaves seems more fitting for a Grade B movie than a novel, and that was my final impression. This story is more a screenplay than a book.

But in summary I've got to admit that "Fire Flight" held my interest long enough for me to read the book in two sittings. Perhaps it is the fact that I hold air tanker pilots in such high esteem that I will read about them just to show my respect. They are truly heroes, and their actions have saved lives, property and valuable enviromental resources. You can trash them as Type A, egotistical adrenaline junkies if you want to, but thank God for the air tanker and air attack pilots. I will be forever grateful to them.

Finally, I have a friend who is also a firefighter and private pilot. He's going to get a copy for Christmas.

Rating:
Summary: A Thriller that is all too Real
Review: Fire Flight is about the brave pilots that fly the air-tankers and fight the wild fires that often rage out of control. Clark Maxwell is one of these pilots who has come out of retirement, because his old boss needs help flying his aging fleet. A tanker goes down in front of Clark's eyes and by the time he lands his own tanker, he's got questions. Has his boss been skimping on the maintenence checks to save money? Are the logs really up to date? He looks for answers and comes up against a fake FBI guy, maybe some real CIA shenanigans and possibly murder in this thriller that is all too real. If you want to see the dangers these brave men face, plus get a darned good story to boot, then this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: TOP FLIGHT AUTHOR READING
Review: It's often a treat and a privilege to hear an audio book read by the author. Such is the case with "Fire Flight" read by popular John J. Nance. He brings an understanding and nuance to the tale that even the best vocal performer may not achieve.

Fiery infernos are spreading rapidly, very quickly out of control and threatening to engulf two national parks. Flames will also level countless homes and buildings in the park. Fighting the fires is an antiquated fleet of aircraft called air tankers. These planes should have been replaced long ago to say nothing of risking their pilots lives as they attempt to contain the raging blazes.

Clark Maxwell, an experienced pilot had no intention of joining this battle until he receives a call from Jerry Stein, a friend and owner of a fleet of air tankers. Soon after Maxwell becomes a part of the fire fighters mysterious air disasters begin to occur. It's not long before he has good reason to believe that an evil force is behind these crashes.

Winds are fanning the flames and people are panicking. As Maxwell probes further his investigation causes him to question officials he would never have believed might be involved in such a horrific conflagration.

Those who like their thrillers laced with action will find much to like in "Fire Flight".

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: action-packed forest fire fighting tale
Review: Near West Yellowstone, Wyoming the fires are out of control. They threaten the two nearby popular National parks and the local populace. The National Forest Service is undermanned and the outlook is bleak. Air tanker fleet owner Jerry Stein knows they need more specialized help so he asks his friend former fire bomber pilot Clark Maxwell to join the fray, which he does.

Besides fighting the out of control fires, Clark must deal with seeing his personal "pinup girl" married smoke jumper Karen Jones. A pilot dies in a plane originally intended for Clark's use. A second pilot almost has his wings clipped in the same way. Fighting fire and his feelings for Karen, Clark finds time to investigate who and why someone is sabotaging the planes.

The action is hot and heavy as expected form a John J. Nance thriller, but the author also makes sure his key characters, especially the star, are fully understood. Clark is a strong protagonist, who struggles between his secret love and doing what he believes his right. The sabotage conspiracy seems a bit stretched, but then again in a world where jets crash into buildings perhaps not. Fans will enjoy this action-packed tale that brings alive the dangers of forest fire fighting.

Harriet Klausner