by Calvin Shields (Author)

Dancing the Skies and Falling with Style

For over 40 years - a record-breaking run - Calvin Shields flew the iconic Boeing 747 across the globe, through every kind of weather, crisis, and change the airline world could throw at him.

From the early days of commercial flight training to the golden era of long-haul aviation, Dancing the Skies and Falling with Style charts the irreverent, exhilarating journey of a pilot caught between duty, disaster, and the sheer thrill of flight.

Calvin takes us inside the cockpit and behind the scenes of life as an airline pilot:

• Flying at 50 feet over the Atlantic in a VC10
• Cleaning out an engine after someone jumped into it just before takeoff
• Chaotic landings in typhoons, fog and snow
• A baby born midair at 33,000 feet
• A night in a Ugandan jail cell
• And encounters with extraordinary passengers, crew, and absurdities at 35,000 feet

But this is more than a flying story. It's a story of love, heartbreak, comradeship, and resilience - from the oil fumes of the VC10 to the heartbreak of 9/11.

Told with wit, candour, and a sharp eye for absurdity, this memoir is a time capsule of an era when flying was glamorous, dangerous, and deeply human.

Note to readers: This memoir reflects the language, attitudes, and social norms of a bygone era. Some content may feel dated by today's standards. It is presented as a faithful account of the time.

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