My Ride on the Planet Earth

This is the story of an Orlando boy who enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after high school graduation, and became an airplane engine mechanic. Two years later went through Aviation Cadet training to become a Commissioned Officer and a pilot in the U.S Air force. Flew world-wide transport aircraft missions including the Vietnam War. Studied Karate for 16 years. Became fluent in the Japanese language and earned a Fourth Degree Black Belt. Retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Command Pilot. Became a Production Test/Training Pilot at the Douglas Aircraft Company. Flew airline training assignments in Long Beach and Mexico. and flew MD-80 production test flights. Became Director of Training and airline pilot at Muse Air/Transtar Airline. Became Senior Production Test/Training Pilot at McDonnell Douglas/ Boeing Aircraft Company. Flew worldwide airline training assignments and production test flights. Retired with over 20,000 worldwide flying hours. At 82 years old, decided to share his observations of what he encountered during his ride around the little speck in the Universe called The Planet Earth. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes spiritual in nature, this book is a fun read.

This is the story of an Orlando boy who enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after high school graduation and became an airplane engine mechanic. At 82 years old, Charles Wood decided to share his observations of what he encountered during his ride around the little speck in the Universe called The Planet Earth. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes spiritual in nature, this is a fun and compelling autobiography that all will enjoy. Charles Wood's adventurous life took him many places. He flew world-wide transport aircraft missions including the Vietnam War, was stationed in Japan, Georgia, the Philippines, Spain, Germany, and Illinois. He flew C-124, C-54, T-39 and C-9 aircraft. As a civilian pilot at Douglas, McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, he flew experimental /production test flights, and trained airline pilots in the U.S., Yugoslavia, Mexico, France, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, China and Japan. He flew DC-9, MD-80, MD-90, DC-10, MD-11 and B-717 aircraft. As a glider/sailplane pilot, he shares an amazing spiritual experience he had in Hawaii. Beyond flying, Charles also studied Karate for 16 years with 9th Degree Black Belt Toshio Hanaue. He became fluent in the Japanese language and earned a Fourth Degree Black Belt in Shudo-kan karate. He even met Karate High Master Chioshin Chibana, the developer of Shorin-ryu karate. He has lived a life worth living, filled with adventures, lessons, and wisdom. Now, in this one-of-a-kind book, Charles shares his wisdom with you. Get ready for a breathtaking story of a truly incredible life.