One Pilot's Log: The Career of E.L. "Slonnie" Sloniger

One Pilots Log: The Career of E.L. "Slonnie" Sloniger by Jerrold E. Sloniger. Howell Press, 17132D Allied St., Charlottesville, VA 22903; 192 pages; over 103 b&w photographs; $34.95.

"I never figured I was ever lost in my life, but there were times like that when I maybe didn't know for sure where I was right at the moment" In another time, he might have been a nomad; but in his lifetime, E.L "Slonnie" Sloniger traveled the world doing the thing he loved most-flying. He was in the unique position of growing up as aviation came of age. Fortunately, Slonnie's son Jerrold took the time to record his father's experiences-too often a missed opportunity for first-person documentation.

The result is a collection of wonderful stories selected from Slonnie's 40 years as a pilot. "One Pilot's Log: The Career of E.L 'Slonnie' Sloniger" takes the reader on a marvelous ride through American aviation history, told by one who was there.

Here was a man who remembered the Wright brothers' first flight, participated in the barnstorming era and knew Lindbergh before he was even a pilot Sloniger never even owned a parachute until he started flying mail for the U.S. government. Slonnie eventually became American Airlines' original senior pilot (number one), and he had a front-row seat watching viable airlines evolve from simple mail carriers. It is an interesting story about a pilot with nearly 25,000 hours flight time, who had the respect of all who knew him.

Slonnie was there when aerial navigation became more scientific than mere guesswork. He was flying long before logbooks were required, and it was a bit unnerving to find out that "you didn't check out in those days. With any new type, someone would ask if you wanted to fly it."

Author Jerrold Sloniger should be commended for putting his father's experiences down on paper. The book is a true chronicle of early American aviation, and one that cannot be lost. It is fascinating to read; who said history can't be fun?

Copyright Air Age Publishing Feb 1999
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved