Flight Training & Kibi and the Search for Happiness

NEBADOR #4

by J.Z. Colby, Katelynn Persons, Mireille Xioulan Powers (Illustrator)

NEBADOR - the incredible journey of five young adults from poverty and oppression to respected citizenship in the wide universe ... After training and practice at every aspect of atmospheric flight, and some hard lessons dealing with other cultures, Ilika and his crew depart on a grand tour of the planet. They learn from many challenges, and eventually receive their first passengers when they find a man and his daughter stranded on an ice continent. But their act of kindness nearly ends in disaster. - This book includes the short story "Kibi and the Search for Happiness" by Katelynn Persons, winner of the 2010 NEBADOR writing contest. - BOOK FLIGHT TRAINING is the fourth book in the NEBADOR series. These stories are filled with wit-sharpening and skill-honing challenges - mental, emotional, and spiritual - for both the characters and the reader. It is truly a grand adventure in which the characters come to understand a beloved saying of the Nebador Transport Personal power is the ability to stand on your own two feet, with a smile on your face, in the middle of a universe that contains a million ways to crush you. - This is the PAPERBACK MEDIUM PRINT edition in 12-point type.

277 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2011

About the author

Born in the Mojave Desert, J. Z. Colby now lives and writes deep in a forest of the Pacific Northwest.

He has studied many subjects, formally and informally, including psychology, philosophy, education, and performing arts, but remains a generalist. His primary profession as a mental health counselor, specializing with families and young adults, gives him many stories of personal growth, and the motivation to develop his team of young critiquers and readers.

All his life, he has been drawn toward a broad understanding of human nature, especially those physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual situations in which our capacity to function seems to reach its limits. He finds fascinating those few individuals who can transcend the limits of our common human nature and the dictates of our cultures.

In his spare time, he flies helicopters and airplanes.

Note: I am not attempting to list all the books I've ever read on GoodReads, but just those I've written, and a few that have passed my way very recently.

LETTER TO READERS:

Greetings, young people of planet Earth,

Much adult science fiction is based on the assumption that the human race will be in charge, or at least high up on the pecking order, when we venture to the stars. Young adults have a somewhat clearer memory that when they graduated elementary school, they were not immediately movers and shakers of the world, but instead found themselves in middle school.

Young adults also remember well the training wheels on their first small bicycles. Will-power alone could not propel them to their destinations.

Nebador is about little steps the smallest of us can make from the playpen to the university, from the gutter to the stars.

As you know, your world is changing very rapidly. During times of change, those who are stuck in old, rigid ways of thinking and feeling often don’t do well. Those who can see far and think clearly are best prepared to survive, prosper in some way, and find happiness.

Stories like these help by letting us walk in the shoes of those who have lived through similar times. They become our heroes, giving us strength when we face challenges, and whispering their inspiration to us when we must solve problems.

Someday, many years from now, your stories may also be told, and you will become heroes to younger people who are struggling to understand the universe. They will take comfort in your courage, and learn from the lessons you have already learned.

J. Z. Colby
2010

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Reviews

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely ripping adventure! I love how we're told a lot of detail about piloting Manessa, but it's done in a rather simple way so it all makes sense, and things are explained clearly - to the readers, as well as to the crew in training.

Loads of exciting stuff in here, including Manessa being hijacked with only Mati on board! (The resolution of that was quite awesome. :D) But the most fantastic part, to me, was how they traveled all over the world, seeing such different and amazing sights - from jungles to hot springs to polar ice caps, to very different cultures, to deserts, to glorious waterfalls... the works. An incredible travelogue indeed and I loved how much description went into all the different places, as well as the journeys to them - and of course, the figuring out of the journeys to them! Many thanks to the wonderful Mr. J.Z. Colby for sending me a copy of Flight Training. :)

ETA: omg I just figured out who (what?) Manessa reminds me of: H.E.L.E.N from Ocean Girl! So I was totally hearing all of Manessa's words said in the voice of Nina Landis which was really kind of awesome.

[Lubna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each book in the Nebador series leaves me with a powerful statement, something that I can relate to and follow. In this book, as Ilika and his chosen crew set off for training sessions on board the magnificent ship Manessa Kwi, Ilika shares a lesson. "My teachers often told me," Ilika shared, "that half the job of learning anything is deciding to". Not only does everyone learn, but Kibi and Sata also learn to overcome their fears.
Crew members are permitted to choose their destinations for the training flights. Thus, Manessa Kwi is piloted to deserts, ice-lands and waterfalls. But Kibi's choice is different. It is a city, that she wanted to see. Sometimes it is difficult to understand whether a social norm is good or bad. In this city, everyone is kept alive as long as possible, even if they are in pain and begging to die. The impact of an overpopulation nation is not difficult to see, in terms of polluted rivers, starving people, lack of fertile soil.
Living in Mumbai, India, I see the sky line changing right before my very eyes. I know for a fact that water may soon be a scare commodity here. Yes, we live on the coast, but does saline water help? We still haven't learnt to distill it. Our population continues to increase. While Mumbai is an integral part of India and people will continue to throng Mumbai in search of jobs, it is essential to ensure that there is development across the nation and that cities, such as Mumbai do not get overburdened. This chapter, where Manessa Kwi zooms over the dead and decaying city provided me with much food for thought.
The space ship also had its first guests, one of whom, hijacked the pilot and the ship. But it ended well. I loved the last paragraph of this book: As he (Ilika) glanced around the bridge (at his crew), he knew that both physical and emotional weakness remained, but also the strength and determination to keep chiselling away at those weakness until the universe was theirs to explore.
I have seen people successfully overcome their own weakness, learn new skills, be more flexible at the workplace and succeed. Yet others, have withdrawn into their shells, not accepted new challenges, nor new realities of the workplace and are yet to find a solid footing.
We alone can decide what we need to learn and learn it, what our weakness are and overcome the same (with support from family/friends and even professional support). As always, this book was a great read and not a mere sci-fiction fantasy, but a book that teaches a lot, albeit in an interesting manner.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flight Training in the Nebador series is one of my favorites as it introduces the "human factor" in flying. As a flight instructor, we
deal with all of the human factors and the hazardous attitudes of each
of our students, because flying is not just about watching guages,
manipulating controls and levers. If you are not feeling well, not
eaten properly, or have life and home issues --- your mind will not be
in the aircraft; which can result in life or death situations which may
not resolve themselves successfully. As a flight crew member your whole being must be attuned to the flying experience, of teh ever-
constant changing 'moment of now' or bad things begin to happen in series. The young hero's are learning how to face new evolving situations, environmental and human challenges by thinking and reasoning ahead of the 'games a'foot". Like Rini almost finding himself a married man by not being observant in the 'moment of now'
as various clues presented themselves to him. Great storyline and
most entertaining; I have recommended it to may of my friendes.

[Cecelia Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I began reading the "Nebador" series as manuscripts. She was 10 at the time, and neither of us could wait to get the next book into our hands. We have read all 7 available manuscripts, and the complete set of published books. We LOVE the series, and have shared "Nebador" with several people. To date, of the readers with whom we've shared "Nebador," from the youngest (10 years old) to the oldest (80 years old), no one who has read it has told us they did not enjoy it. Quite the contrary, in fact. Most comments we've heard are similar to, "I've never read anything like it." "It's sci-fi, but not the usual 'put human problems into outer space and adjust the vocabulary' style."

Check it out! If you don't like it, you'll only be out a few hours of your time. But we're very sure you WILL like it.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

At least now we know that they are human. A concern with some of the children that were selected for the crew was how they appeared that they were flawless. This book brought out inadequacies that each of us may have and not realize we do until it is brought right in front of our face. I was pleased with how they were able to overcome these issues and grow from it.
The portion of the book that I enjoyed most was the wedding that we didn’t know was a wedding until afterwards. Many time in travels we are ignorant of customs of the countries we travel in and fain ignorance when we cross that boundary. How we respond to those situations shows a maturity or lack thereof. How this was portrayed and the resolution was done very well, and was enjoyable to read.

[J.Z. Colby]

This story is available in these editions:
EBOOK for the Kindle, Mobipocket
EPUB for the iPad, Sony, Nook, etc.
MEDIUM PRINT paperback, 12-point type, 6" x 9"
LARGE PRINT paperback, 18-point type, 8" x 10"
GLOBAL paperback, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
GLOBAL/LIBRARY hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"

The companion study guide is available in one edition:
DEEP LEARNING NOTES, paperback, 12-point type, 5" x 8"

This story, along with its Deep Learning Notes, is included in:
TRILOGY TWO, hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
TRILOGY TWO, Young Star-Seekers Edition, paperback, 12-point type, 7" x 10"

[Chenice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think is my favourite book out of the Nebador series so far. I loved how Colby's writing had me engaged and immersed in the book at all times and I just couldn't wait to pick up the next book in the series.

I think this is the best book for character development and Colby shows us more about the complexities of relationships, working with those people we are involved with and so forth.

For me, the key themes in this novel were; relationships, trust and friendship.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Congratulations to Katelynn Persons also for her short story. A great read.

[Mayara Arend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm back with the Nebador Series. I can't tell you how much I adore this series!
I'm divided, I'm glad it goes to book 8 (and who knows, maybe more), but I'm sad it'll take long for them to be out (2014 for book 8). But hey, at least it's no Song of Ice and Fire, taking 5 or more years between books :)

I finished book 4, "Flight Training" and Book 5 "Back to the Stars" but I started writing this review while I was still reading book 5, since I was starting to mix them up.

Author J. Z. Colby has been nice to send me a copy of the latest two books, after I reviewed the previous ones, so I must thank him deeply.

We find our crew right where we left them at The Selection, stopped at the desert, starting their real training. They already know well their beloved ship Manessa and their captain, Ilika, but now it's time for some real learning.
Altitute and movement training get some of the crew members spilling their guts - and not on the talking way. Also, all of our friends have their own issues to solve, including fear of heights, fear of the dark, fear of closed spaces and so on.

Kibi considers to run away. Mati thinks about going back to one of her previous choices. Rini makes a bad mistake, but makes the right decision, in the end.

With this Flight Training, we get to see our crew in action, solving puzzles and knowing more about their home world. Aside from that, we get a pretty big scare in one part, but they work it out.

As Ilika is, we are proud of our little crew members. We are happy to see how much they learnt and grew and we are sure Ilika did the right choice, they were the best he could've found.

I am considering to read Book 1 (The Test) again, as now I know what comes, I know who's who, I think I can appreciate it even more.

After going all over the world and knowing some interesting points (the tallest mountain, the deepest ocean, some different cities), Manessa's crew flies out of the planet, into orbit. That's where we leave them and that's where we'll find them again on Book 5 - Back to the Stars.

I loved the book, as I loved most of the series (Book one had major potential but I had a hard time loving it, which is why I'm thinking of re-reading it), I thought that after they had learnt all those things and knew of the real shape, form and nature of Manessa and Ilika, there wasn't much more to learn and not much would happen - I was afraid the book could be a bit boring, since the characters were all pretty much developed.

Boy was I wrong.

The characters are nowhere near ready - as we all aren't. That was silly of me to think. They are only teenagers and young adults and they have a lot of personal and professional development to work through, Ilika included.

I was sad that we don't get to see the previous characters anymore, I thought, all the time, we'd get a glimpse of Buna, Toli, Neti and Misa, but I guess the author is leaving it for young writers and readers to write their own short stories, like the ones published along with the series books.

[Kereesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to J.Z. Colby for giving me a copy!! Thank you so much!!!
Flight Training is the fourth in Nebador series, and focuses mainly on the crew's developing abilities in learning how to fly as well as facing their individual challenges in understanding the deep commitment they have to undertake in becoming a part of Ilika's crew. Each of the five individuals will have to face their fears, inside and out, and learn what it means to depend on one another in the toughest of situations.
I really enjoyed the fourth installment of this series. My favorite characters are still there, they're still learning, and the story is as interesting as ever. I didn't like this one as much as I did Selection, the third in this series, though I think this is because Flight Training was much about the characters' learning process and thus doesn't move the plot as much as Selection did. In spite of this, however, Flight Training did have the best character development so far, and I really felt how far each of the individuals had grown and become so much more stronger. I really loved the way the author focused on showing us how the various characters overcame their problems while still leaving room for them to grow even further in the next books. Their conflicts, internally and externally, are especially evident in this one, and I was left brimming with curiosity to what was going to happen and how these characters were going to adapt in the future.
As always the writing, even if the plot wasn't as riveting as the previous one, kept me entertained and pushed at me to keep reading. All in all, another great book in the Nebador series. 4/5

[Graziano · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Nec tu caelestem neque terrenum, neque mortalem fecimus,
ut tui ipsius quasi arbitrarius honorariusque plastes et fictor,
in quam malueris tute formam effingas”
Pico della Mirandola (Oratio de hominis dignitate)

“We have made you (Adam) a creature neither of heaven nor of earth, neither mortal or immortal,
in order that you may, as the free and proud shaper of your own being, fashion yourself in the form you may prefer”
(Oration on the Dignity of Man)

The quote that better describe Nebador book four (Flight Training) is:
“If Kibi - or any of you - … can’t learn to use your feelings as guides instead of masters, then you must like slavery more than you realize.” (page 27)

Five boys and girls, after being chosen as Ilika’s crew, have to grow up facing happiness (such as love stories, learn a lot of interesting stuff), and difficulties (growing up is always a sloping path).

“So … by passing those tests back at Doko’s Inn, I was applying for the hardest job in the whole … universe?” (page 69)
So Kibi understands which is the hardest job: not only the test per se, but becoming adult.

For the same reason Ilika suggests that “Going into space is pretty complicated, … Yes, it’s one of the biggest tests a civilization goes through before … growing up. For you five, it will mark the end of your lives as simple people from a little kingdom, and the beginning of your adventures in the vast universe.” (page 255)

We have made you a creature neither of sky nor of earth in order that you may, learning from your feelings and proud shaper of your being (sculptor - plaster, potter - fictor, painter - pictor), fashion yourself in the form you may prefer.

[J.Z. Colby]

This story is available in these editions:
EBOOK for the Kindle, Mobipocket
EPUB for the iPad, Sony, Nook, etc.
MEDIUM PRINT paperback, 12-point type, 6" x 9"
LARGE PRINT paperback, 18-point type, 8" x 10"
GLOBAL paperback, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
GLOBAL/LIBRARY hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"

The companion study guide is available in one edition:
DEEP LEARNING NOTES, paperback, 12-point type, 5" x 8"

This story, along with its Deep Learning Notes, is included in:
TRILOGY TWO, hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
TRILOGY TWO, Young Star-Seekers Edition, paperback, 12-point type, 7" x 10"

[J.Z. Colby]

This story is available in these editions:
EBOOK for the Kindle, Mobipocket
EPUB for the iPad, Sony, Nook, etc.
MEDIUM PRINT paperback, 12-point type, 6" x 9"
LARGE PRINT paperback, 18-point type, 8" x 10"
GLOBAL paperback, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
GLOBAL/LIBRARY hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"

The companion study guide is available in one edition:
DEEP LEARNING NOTES, paperback, 12-point type, 5" x 8"

This story, along with its Deep Learning Notes, is included in:
TRILOGY TWO, hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
TRILOGY TWO, Young Star-Seekers Edition, paperback, 12-point type, 7" x 10"

[J.Z. Colby]

This story is available in these editions:
EBOOK for the Kindle, Mobipocket
EPUB for the iPad, Sony, Nook, etc.
MEDIUM PRINT paperback, 12-point type, 6" x 9"
LARGE PRINT paperback, 18-point type, 8" x 10"
GLOBAL paperback, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
GLOBAL/LIBRARY hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"

The companion study guide is available in one edition:
DEEP LEARNING NOTES, paperback, 12-point type, 5" x 8"

This story, along with its Deep Learning Notes, is included in:
TRILOGY TWO, hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
TRILOGY TWO, Young Star-Seekers Edition, paperback, 12-point type, 7" x 10"

[J.Z. Colby]

This story is available in these editions:
EBOOK for the Kindle, Mobipocket
EPUB for the iPad, Sony, Nook, etc.
MEDIUM PRINT paperback, 12-point type, 6" x 9"
LARGE PRINT paperback, 18-point type, 8" x 10"
GLOBAL paperback, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
GLOBAL/LIBRARY hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"

The companion study guide is available in one edition:
DEEP LEARNING NOTES, paperback, 12-point type, 5" x 8"

This story, along with its Deep Learning Notes, is included in:
TRILOGY TWO, hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
TRILOGY TWO, Young Star-Seekers Edition, paperback, 12-point type, 7" x 10"

[J.Z. Colby]

This story is available in these editions:
EBOOK for the Kindle, Mobipocket
EPUB for the iPad, Sony, Nook, etc.
MEDIUM PRINT paperback, 12-point type, 6" x 9"
LARGE PRINT paperback, 18-point type, 8" x 10"
GLOBAL paperback, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
GLOBAL/LIBRARY hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"

The companion study guide is available in one edition:
DEEP LEARNING NOTES, paperback, 12-point type, 5" x 8"

This story, along with its Deep Learning Notes, is included in:
TRILOGY TWO, hardcover, 10-point type, 6" x 9"
TRILOGY TWO, Young Star-Seekers Edition, paperback, 12-point type, 7" x 10"

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of The Nebador was just as exciting as the first 3 in this series. This title, titled Flight Training, is just that, training/adventures to prepare the crew of the Manessa for there far off travels. I really enjoyed all the lessons they were learning and how stressful each situation was for the crew, and the finishing test was quite a surprise and one that wrapped this book up with some intense scenes.
Also, at the end of this title is a fantastic short story to give just a little bit more icing on the cake :o)

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of book three and the entirety of book four is where the story really starts to pick up. It teaches good life lessons, along with critical thinking skills, all the while keeping you entranced with a fascination of the unknown. The characters are well thought out and developed by this point, yet they still do things to surprise the reader. And with the story still on an exponential curve of excitement, I can't wait to read the following books.

[Rebecca McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of great things happen in this fourth installment. Characters learn to overcome personal weaknesses, they learn to fly the ship and how to handle different emergencies, and many other things, which I won't include so I don't give things away. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to learning what happens when the crew experiences space for the first time.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant,exciting adventure.
Keep them coming J.Z! lol :D

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very excellent next book in the Nebrador series. Very well done.