Growing Up Boeing: The Early Jet Age Through the Eyes of a Test Pilot's Daughter

by Rebecca Wallick

Part memoir, part biography, Growing Up Boeing tells the story of the pioneers of the Golden Age of commercial jet transports from an insider’s perspective. Take a nostalgic flight back in time to the dawn of the jet age—1950s through 1980s—when the best experimental test pilots flew by the seat of their pants, putting new commercial jets through tests that stressed and pushed the edge of performance envelopes, discovering their limits and tolerances. Fly along on demonstration and proving flights as the test pilots help Boeing sell the airplanes to airlines around the world, meeting a few celebrities along the way. See how they lived their lives in the air and on the ground—their adventurous spirits, need for speed, leisure activities and families. Secrets big and small are revealed, as are hair-raising moments when the hazards, the incidents, near accidents, and tragic events inherent in exploring the limits of aeronautical technology and new airplane designs are described. This artfully narrated account breathes life into the extremely personal and human experiences that have, in some magical way, been shared at some level by so many, and provides more than a hint of what has made this aircraft manufacturer legendary.

Genres: Nonfiction, Aviation, History

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2014

About the author

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington by Kansas-born parents, I'm the youngest of four and the only girl. My father was a Boeing test pilot, which meant my childhood was full of aviation and adventure. My first book, Growing Up Boeing, chronicles his career and the early jet age, mixing stories shared by my father and his flight test colleagues, regional history, and my own memories.

I obtained a degree in history from the University of Washington in 1980, and a law degree from Seattle University (formerly Univ of Puget Sound) in 1983. I practiced law for over 30 years, and was a freelance writer and contributing editor at The Bark magazine for nearly 20 years, but my first loves have always been dogs and the outdoors.

My second book, Wild Running: Lessons from Dogs, Wolves, and the Natural World, shares the sense of joy and awe running trails in forests has given me. It also provides a history of wolves in the US because they're an animal I've always admired, helping me better understand the Alaskan Malamutes I've chosen as my wilderness guides for four decades. Unfortunately, wolves are feared and hunted, which too often leads to close calls for my dogs, who can easily be mistaken for wolves. It's a tension felt throughout much of the West as wolves reestablish their traditional territory.

Reviews

[George S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased the book at an airport and was fascinated by the author's stories collected from her father's colleagues at Boeing aircraft. Loved the way she interwove her own perspectives as a girl in the thick of the test pilot family with the interviews decades later from test pilots who were still alive. A fascinating book that digs into the underbelly of Boeing's history, including triumphs and tragedy. Highly recommend.

[PaulY · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good history with an insiders view. The narrative is simplistic and endlessly repeats "my dad was my wonderful hero".

[Scott Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life well lived

WOW. An amazing story of a member of the greatest generation. While he did serve in the Navy and the story is ostensibly about his career at Boeing, the real meat of the story is his relationship with his daughter. What a great story of how to have an important and fulfilling career yet not losing the work life balance needed to raise a really interesting and successful human.

The glimpse of the world of the test pilots was really interesting (especially since I fly a Boeing airplane for a living). However, the story of Mr. Wallick’s career is vastly overshadowed by the strong and healthy father-daughter relationship seamlessly woven into the story. The author praises her Dad’s flying skill but I find myself envying his parenting skills.

A very good, well written story!

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading for any pilot or commercial airline fan!! Great perspective of what it takes to be a test pilot at Boeing! Lots of info I never knew about what goes in to a new Aircraft before it is delivered. Absolutely a page turner for me great job!!

[Terence Lionel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome tribute to your father

Dear Ms. Wallack this was excellent book and it was a awesome tribute to your father, his friends and your family. I was well written and one of the best aviation books, I read in a while.

[Chng Beng Guan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgic reading

It's not about boeing it's also about father daughter relationship,hard to find such an excellent combination,read two books in one

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lew Wallick was a top airplane test pilot for most of his career years, and, later in life, he spent a lot of time telling his adult daughter about his experiences. It's a job I'd never thought about, and was intrigued by the ins and outs of what test pilots do. I did skip through a bit of the stories about family life, but the majority of the book was really interesting!

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good history with an insiders view. The narrative is simplistic and endlessly repeats "my dad was my wonderful hero".

[Jerry Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for anyone who enjoys aviation. I only wish it had more flying stories than it did.