Book Review By ANN Correspondent Aleta Vinas
"Today I was in an AT-6 Texan Air Racing in Reno. Later, I
fought fires in a Bell 212 helicopter." "Last week I flew in the
Space Shuttle Discovery. Next week I may fly with the US Aerobatic
Team or pilot a blimp. I may even do it tomorrow."
These are only a small sample of the adventures “The World
Beneath Their Wings” will take you on. First time author
Julie Jervis tells the always thrilling and sometimes nail-biting
tales of 15 female leaders in the aviation world. Jervis calls
these women “a new millennium of female aviators.”
Each of the women are trailblazers -- not necessarily first in
their fields, but certainly smoothing the path for their
successors. Dr. Peggy Chabrian; flight and ground instructor,
University professor and founder of Women in Aviation
International. Denise Sanchez; Air Traffic Control Manager at San
Jose International Airport. Kris Greblo; Hollywood stunt person and
stunt pilot.
Says Jervis, “these stories really need to be told,
they’re incredibly inspirational for the next generation of
female aviators that are coming along.”
Jervis had been working at NASA Ames Research Center on the
Super Computing Magazine. A colleague, Nick Veronico, suggested
Jervis might enjoy writing on the side for a Magazine. The
magazine liked the idea of adding a women in aviation element. The
book actually started out in June 2004 as a series of articles for
the publication. After two or three articles and a positive reader
response, Jervis realized “these would be great to put
together as a book.” The book would also permit the full
story to be told.
Veronico had suggested the names of some of the ladies and after
Jervis had done the interviews, she began to think more about the
unique aviation areas she wanted to tell a story about, rather than
people. Using internet search engines, Jervis then came up with the
women in those fields. Sometimes the choices were very narrow,
especially when there are only two female blimp pilots in the
world.
Not one of the subjects turned down Jervis’s request for
an interview. “Everyone I contacted was more than happy to
agree and consent” praises Jervis. Even friends and family
members lent their comments adding a different dimension to the
subject’s point of view.
'The World Beneath Their Wings' is full of wonderful photos to
accompany the 15 stories. The stories range in length from six to
10 pages. Jervis' storytelling will suck you in, and you’ll
want to finish the book in one night. This, of course, is fine;
though spreading the stories out over time allows each tale to be
savored.
Though her touring schedule is not yet fully planned, Jervis
will be appearing and autographing her book at The Hiller Aviation
Museum in San Carlos, CA during the Helicopter Vertical Challenge
on June 17.
Each woman had a different story to tell, from diverse
backgrounds, but no matter what aviation path they chose, they all
walked the path with determination and tenacity.
"If you really want to do something you can do it," said Jervis.
"You can go out and make opportunities happen for yourself. When
you explore your own potential and find those things that really
drive you, you can make it happen.”
The downside to the book -- it ended. I’m hoping for a
Volume Two, because we all know there are many more trailblazers
out there. Some of us would like to live in their footsteps even if
only in our imagination.