Vagabond Pilot Audiobook By Robert Young cover art

Vagabond Pilot

A Voyage of Discovery and Renewal

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Vagabond Pilot

By: Robert Young
Narrated by: Virtual Voice
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This title uses virtual voice narration

Virtual voice is computer-generated narration for audiobooks.

About this listen

 Follow along with “Captain Bob” Young as he crosses the USA from Santa Monica to Connecticut and back in his two seater airplane. He visits old and new friends while searching for himself and discovering the good in us all. North America United States Aviation Transportation Air Force
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Having recently read, and loved, THE CANNIBAL QUEEN, about a trip across the US in a Stearman, with the goal of stopping in every one of the lower 48, I realized that I really like aerial adventures. So, I figured I'd give Vagabond Pilot a try. I really enjoyed it.

In this book the author, Robert Young, describes his flight across the US from Santa Monica to the East Coast, and back in a Grumman American AA1. He's a 70-something guy using the trip to chill out after some disappointments and difficulties in life. Descriptions of these were important but sometimes seemed a bit whiney. (I do wonder how he managed to not lose the plane in his divorces and bankruptcy)

The AA1 was a trainer built in the 70s. For the entire book Young intersperses descriptions of the flight legs with descriptions of his experiences at each destination. In particular, he talks about visits with friends from across America and across his life. He also presents some political opinions which, for those who have read The Cannibal Queen, are pretty much the opposite of Stephen Coonts's.

In the flying portions Young does a great job describing all the steps he goes through to preflight and fly the plane. Being a student pilot, I could envision it all. I'm not sure why, but it's sort of compelling.

Some of his personal experiences were interesting and others were a tad annoying. I wonder if some of his activities might have invalidated his medical certificate, had the FAA known.

Yes, virtual voice did make some humorous mistakes (nm is nautical miles, not nanometers - nanometers would make for very quick trip legs, right?. It's usually pronounced leema, not lime-a. etc.) but even student pilots can grasp what's being said. Think of deciphering the mispronunciations as a kind of quiz.

Anyhow, it was an enjoyable listen about a trip I'd like to take sometime soon. I'd recommend it to pilots who like flying stories.

Flight Across America in a Small Plane

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This was read by AI (I use the I loosely). If you have even a clue about aviation, the errors that AI makes with this reading will drive you crazy. A NM is not a nanometer!

It’s an excellent story, but go read it yourself.

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