Folks, I recently learned that one of my mentors and good friends, Hal Terry, has passed away. Hal was a retired Naval Aviator, whose flying career spanned both of the naval aircraft designated as F-8: The Bearcat and the supersonic gunfighter, the Crusader.

After he retired, Hal moved to Alaska, and flew for a couple of air taxi outfits and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. I was honored to call Hal friend, and to have had the opportunity to fly with Hal. He was the quintessential aviator, and always strove to be the best he could be. He taught me many lessons.

Hal wrote a book a number of years ago, and while I taught at the U of M, my students all received this book. The title of the book is "Fly the Wild and Stay Alive", and it is an excellent source of information on flying the backcountry.

I believed that the book was out of print till a friend pointed out to me that it's now available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1vpzrDG

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in flying the backcountry. It can be a little hard to read--Hal was a superb aviator--but he could have used a better editor, but I can honestly say it's the only writing on this kind of flying that I've found where I can't argue with a single point.

I urge you all to consider ordering Hal's book.....I don't think you'll regret it.

Rest in Peace, Hal, and God's speed.

MTV

Condolences Mike. I know that losing a close friend can be as hard as losing a family member so my prayers and best wishes to you and his family.
Thanks for the reccommendation on the book. I may have to add it to my list.
Keith

It is a good book. Sorry to hear of Hal's passing.

mtv wrote:....I can honestly say it's the only writing on this kind of flying that I've found where I can't argue with a single point......

Wow-- high praise indeed!

I always thought Sparky Imeson's books could have used better editing. Being able to do doesn't always mean being able to write about doing.

Condolences, Mike. Losing friends is often harder than losing family, because we get to choose our friends.

Cary

Sorry to hear that Mike!

Sounds like a great guy and good book.

Unfortunately it is out of stock at Amazon w/ no know restock date.

TD

Tom,

I have a copy on the way from Amazon now. I am certainly willing to share once I've completed it.

Brett

I ordered the book a few days ago and Amazon said it was the only one? Anyway, not here yet.

I just finished the book and I can send it to whoever needs it next.

It was a very thorough and informative book/guide by a very strack retired Navy pilot. While I don't use all the same techniques, I found them to be sound and well thought out and coming from good experience. I liked the use of the Dutch Roll to teach side slip technique. I like that he mentions allowing the nose to go down in steep turns when full power will not maintain altitude or will cause the radius to be too large. I also used the 270 degree turn to make 90 degree turns where close in observation was necessary of the complete stream, in his case, or pipeline ROW, in my case. Of course I didn't know him, but through the book I see he was calm, careful, and proficient like my friend Dave Trujillo. From this book, I see a lot of where MTV is coming from.

Jim,

I would love to borrow the book if I may. I think you still have my address, if not I'll PM you with it.

I ran across a very nice obituary of Capt. Terry while googling the book:

http://www.croxfordfuneralhome.com/index.php?p=obituaries&id=1113

Anarchisto,

Yes, a very nice obituary. All of "The Greatest Generation" will soon be gone. I, representing the first generation of moral decline, am sad. We are due for another "Great Awakening."

I probably have your address but have lost it. Please e-mail or pm it to me. I will get the book right out. You will enjoy it.

Jim

Anarchisto,

The book is headed your way. Pass it on to the next pilot when you finish. This one came used from Terry Aviation, 5590 Autumn Wind Ct, Helena, MT 59602. That could be family. Why would family be selling old copies of his book? Because good teaching needs to go out to those who can benefit from it. Hopefully someone will reprint it.

Jim

I just finished the book. It's a quick read and I really enjoyed it - though I concur that it could have been edited and organized better. A lot of good nuggets of wisdom in there. Who gets it next? Motoadve I think...

Yes. I promised motoadve I would have you send it to him next. He was supposed to give you his address.

Mike, as Hal's friend, perhaps you are in as good a position as any to suggest to the family that they republish his book, after they've had some time to mourn his passing. Much like Sparky Imeson's family took up the publishing of his Mountain Flying Bible after he died, it would be a benefit to many aviators. Although after reading his obituary (http://www.croxfordfuneralhome.com/inde ... es&id=1113) he's already left a legacy to be proud of, it would be a way of extending it.

Cary

Motoadve, I'd love to read the book once you're done with it. Don't have a lot to do with my time these days, so doing lots of reading.
David

Ok you are next after I finish it then.

Cary wrote:Mike, as Hal's friend, perhaps you are in as good a position as any to suggest to the family that they republish his book, after they've had some time to mourn his passing. Much like Sparky Imeson's family took up the publishing of his Mountain Flying Bible after he died, it would be a benefit to many aviators. Although after reading his obituary (http://www.croxfordfuneralhome.com/inde ... es&id=1113) he's already left a legacy to be proud of, it would be a way of extending it.

Cary

Cary,

Great idea. I have a friend working on this. Bonnie (Hal's widow) arranged to have the latest run of books published, so I imagine she knows how its done.

Mike

I'd buy a copy if it were republished. A worthy read - if for all the anecdotes.