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The Last Flight
Set against the harsh beauty of Alaska, a veteran helicopter pilot is torn between ending his own embattled life and rescuing survivors from a mountain plane crash.
Last Flight is the heroic story of Gil Connor, a senior Army helicopter pilot and aging Vietnam vet, as he struggles with an impending terminal illness and the desire to pull off one last daring rescue. Connor finds himself in a constant battle against his internal demons during his quest to reach the survivors of a remote, civilian commuter-plane crash deep in the Alaskan mountains—a rescue that perhaps only he can pull off.
The stranded plane’s captain, Scott Sanders, takes charge after the crash, in spite of his injuries and the realization that his dream of flying for a major airline is destroyed. One of the passengers, a retired school teacher, assists him while barely holding herself together; her husband was killed in a fiery plane crash years before. They soon realize that time is not on their side in the Alaskan polar climate.
Connor, who’s haunted by the horrors of war and a turbulent past, is torn between ending his life before the inevitable and saving the marooned crash victims before it’s too late. His underlying intentions are unknown, even to himself, until the very end. Aided by an untested protégée and a mysterious young girl found at the crash site, Connor struggles in a desperate gamble to achieve the near impossible. Amid the turmoil of an approaching storm and almost certain failure, his flying skills and drive for redemption are the only hopes that remain.
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
Last Flight is the heroic story of Gil Connor, a senior Army helicopter pilot and aging Vietnam vet, as he struggles with an impending terminal illness and the desire to pull off one last daring rescue. Connor finds himself in a constant battle against his internal demons during his quest to reach the survivors of a remote, civilian commuter-plane crash deep in the Alaskan mountains—a rescue that perhaps only he can pull off.
The stranded plane’s captain, Scott Sanders, takes charge after the crash, in spite of his injuries and the realization that his dream of flying for a major airline is destroyed. One of the passengers, a retired school teacher, assists him while barely holding herself together; her husband was killed in a fiery plane crash years before. They soon realize that time is not on their side in the Alaskan polar climate.
Connor, who’s haunted by the horrors of war and a turbulent past, is torn between ending his life before the inevitable and saving the marooned crash victims before it’s too late. His underlying intentions are unknown, even to himself, until the very end. Aided by an untested protégée and a mysterious young girl found at the crash site, Connor struggles in a desperate gamble to achieve the near impossible. Amid the turmoil of an approaching storm and almost certain failure, his flying skills and drive for redemption are the only hopes that remain.
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2016
202 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Gregory P. Liefer
4 books7 followersDuring my flying career I served as a military pilot/instructor pilot at various overseas and stateside locations, and as a commercial pilot in Alaska. The large number of civilian and military aviation wrecks across Alaska perked my interest, leading to my research and writing about aviation history.
AVIATION MYSTERIES OF THE NORTH, detailing major aircraft disappearances in Alaska and Canada, was released by Publication Consultants in 2011.
BROKEN WINGS, an informative account of significant aviation accidents in Alaska history, was published by Publication Consultants in 2014. A previous version from Hancock House Publishers in Canada, is not recommended. Publication Consultants in Anchorage, Alaska is the only authorized publisher.
“Missing in Alaska,” a captivating story on the disappearance of a Navy patrol plane was featured in Logbook magazine in 2006, and the article "Lost Flight to Brazil" was published in Aviation History magazine in January 2021.
THE LAST FLIGHT: A Novel was released in April 2016 by Yucca Publishing. Set against the harsh beauty of Alaska, THE LAST FLIGHT is the heroic story of Gil Connor, a senior Army helicopter pilot and aging Vietnam veteran as he struggles with an impending terminal illness and the desire to pull off one last daring rescue.
Haunted by the horrors of war and a turbulent past, Connor is torn between ending his life before the inevitable and saving the survivors of a remote commuter-plane crash. Amid the turmoil of an approaching storm and almost certain failure, his underlying intentions are unknown, even to himself, until the very end.
I have been researching and writing for thirty plus years - first as a hobby, then part-time while pursuing my flying career, and now on a more extensive basis since retiring from aviation. I hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate and have flown thousands of hours in various aircraft. Twenty-three of my thirty-plus years of flying experience was in Alaska.
AVIATION MYSTERIES OF THE NORTH, detailing major aircraft disappearances in Alaska and Canada, was released by Publication Consultants in 2011.
BROKEN WINGS, an informative account of significant aviation accidents in Alaska history, was published by Publication Consultants in 2014. A previous version from Hancock House Publishers in Canada, is not recommended. Publication Consultants in Anchorage, Alaska is the only authorized publisher.
“Missing in Alaska,” a captivating story on the disappearance of a Navy patrol plane was featured in Logbook magazine in 2006, and the article "Lost Flight to Brazil" was published in Aviation History magazine in January 2021.
THE LAST FLIGHT: A Novel was released in April 2016 by Yucca Publishing. Set against the harsh beauty of Alaska, THE LAST FLIGHT is the heroic story of Gil Connor, a senior Army helicopter pilot and aging Vietnam veteran as he struggles with an impending terminal illness and the desire to pull off one last daring rescue.
Haunted by the horrors of war and a turbulent past, Connor is torn between ending his life before the inevitable and saving the survivors of a remote commuter-plane crash. Amid the turmoil of an approaching storm and almost certain failure, his underlying intentions are unknown, even to himself, until the very end.
I have been researching and writing for thirty plus years - first as a hobby, then part-time while pursuing my flying career, and now on a more extensive basis since retiring from aviation. I hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate and have flown thousands of hours in various aircraft. Twenty-three of my thirty-plus years of flying experience was in Alaska.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
July 4, 2017
Excellent action drama
Loved the characters. Read it in one sitting. I think it would make a great movie with Tom Selleck in the main role. This is a book you won't regret reading
Loved the characters. Read it in one sitting. I think it would make a great movie with Tom Selleck in the main role. This is a book you won't regret reading
January 28, 2020
I was drawn to this book since it is set in Alaska, and sounded like a good adventure story. The main character is a Vietnam War veteran and some of the most compelling parts of the book are through flashbacks of combat that he experienced as a rescue helicopter pilot. Gil Connor has also been through three marriages and divorces and multiple tragedies in his family life. We meet him as a flight instructor in Alaska after he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer which is causing tremendous physical and psychic pain. There has been a small plane crash in the Alaskan mountains, described in terrifying detail, and the fate of the survivors hinges on rescue efforts by Connor and others.
The writing can be a bit dry at times, and the romance at the end was somewhat contrived. Overall, though, I really appreciated the pace of the story. I also liked the detail which is provided about aviation, especially helicopter flying. I took helicopter flying lessons at one point and the technique, stamina and knowledge required to pilot these machines is truly phenomenal.
The writing can be a bit dry at times, and the romance at the end was somewhat contrived. Overall, though, I really appreciated the pace of the story. I also liked the detail which is provided about aviation, especially helicopter flying. I took helicopter flying lessons at one point and the technique, stamina and knowledge required to pilot these machines is truly phenomenal.
March 3, 2016
A Good Novel. Not a Great Novel. But a good novel which is a thoroughly engaging, meticulously researched story of rescue by helicopter after a plane crash in the Alaska Mountains, and a man who doesn't know that he also needs rescuing.
I read this DARC courtesy of Yucca Publications and Edelweiss. pub date April 19, 2016
I read this DARC courtesy of Yucca Publications and Edelweiss. pub date April 19, 2016
August 14, 2017
The Last Flight is the story of Gil Connor, a middle-aged Vietnam veteran and Army helicopter pilot. His exploits are almost legendary amongst his peers but Gil is now fighting a losing battle against terminal cancer. His dreams are haunted by the horrors he’s witnessed and friends lost in battle, not to mention coming to terms with the loss of both his children. Gil has decided to die as he has lived, on his own terms, and takes a helicopter out for a last flight.
Meanwhile a passenger plane has crash landed deep in the Alaskan mountains. Gil hears the plane’s distress signal and his instincts kick in. He takes a desperate gamble when he decides to assist in a daring rescue. A storm is fast approaching and his superior flying skills are the survivors’ only hope.
The opening prologue from 1972 in South Vietnam, sets up Gil’s back story, and along with several flashbacks throughout the narrative gives a good sense of how his personality has developed.
Despite the subject matter of Gil’s situation, this isn’t all doom and gloom. Character driven with a solid and exciting storyline, the only thing that, for me, lets it down is too much unnecessary detail and technical information, which interrupts the flow. It’s obvious the author knows his stuff inside out, he has extensive experience and has written two factual books, but sometimes less is more for a fiction novel. Well written with realistic character portrayals and interactions although I would have liked the mysterious young girl’s character to have been explored in more depth. The part she played didn’t really take off or add to the plot but the glimpse of her intrigued me.
Gil is a sympathetic and compelling protagonist who’s had a tough personal life. I couldn’t help but become invested in his story and I can’t even imagine how experiences like his would affect a person. The mindset, not only of Gil but pilots in general, especially the focus, skill and courage needed when flying in extremely adverse conditions, is shown to great effect. There’s a good mix of distinct characters and personalities and the scenic descriptions call up vivid imagery.
A story of survival and redemption with a very unexpected but welcome twist at the end. I enjoyed RC Bray’s performance and spot on interpretation of the characters. Great job, as always.
Meanwhile a passenger plane has crash landed deep in the Alaskan mountains. Gil hears the plane’s distress signal and his instincts kick in. He takes a desperate gamble when he decides to assist in a daring rescue. A storm is fast approaching and his superior flying skills are the survivors’ only hope.
The opening prologue from 1972 in South Vietnam, sets up Gil’s back story, and along with several flashbacks throughout the narrative gives a good sense of how his personality has developed.
Despite the subject matter of Gil’s situation, this isn’t all doom and gloom. Character driven with a solid and exciting storyline, the only thing that, for me, lets it down is too much unnecessary detail and technical information, which interrupts the flow. It’s obvious the author knows his stuff inside out, he has extensive experience and has written two factual books, but sometimes less is more for a fiction novel. Well written with realistic character portrayals and interactions although I would have liked the mysterious young girl’s character to have been explored in more depth. The part she played didn’t really take off or add to the plot but the glimpse of her intrigued me.
Gil is a sympathetic and compelling protagonist who’s had a tough personal life. I couldn’t help but become invested in his story and I can’t even imagine how experiences like his would affect a person. The mindset, not only of Gil but pilots in general, especially the focus, skill and courage needed when flying in extremely adverse conditions, is shown to great effect. There’s a good mix of distinct characters and personalities and the scenic descriptions call up vivid imagery.
A story of survival and redemption with a very unexpected but welcome twist at the end. I enjoyed RC Bray’s performance and spot on interpretation of the characters. Great job, as always.
August 4, 2018
Excellent Alaskan air crash tale
Gil Connor has been a legendary Army helicopter pilot his entire adult life. He served two tours in Vietnam, pulling off rescues that others thought impossible. He still flies but is mostly an instructor in 2005 at Fort Wainwright in Alaska. He has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer and wants to end his life on his terms.
After Connor takes a helicopter without permission and heads to a familiar Alaskan mountain range, his personal plans are interrupted by hearing an emergency airline beacon. Connor ends up being at the right place at the right time after a small commercial airliner crash lands in an area of high mountains, glaciers, and unpredictable weather.
This was a great airline disaster book. I loved the character of Gil Connor. There was a lot of information on Army helicopters, which I enjoyed. This book was exciting, fast paced, full of heroic characters, and a touching story on top of all that.
I highly recommend this book.
Gil Connor has been a legendary Army helicopter pilot his entire adult life. He served two tours in Vietnam, pulling off rescues that others thought impossible. He still flies but is mostly an instructor in 2005 at Fort Wainwright in Alaska. He has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer and wants to end his life on his terms.
After Connor takes a helicopter without permission and heads to a familiar Alaskan mountain range, his personal plans are interrupted by hearing an emergency airline beacon. Connor ends up being at the right place at the right time after a small commercial airliner crash lands in an area of high mountains, glaciers, and unpredictable weather.
This was a great airline disaster book. I loved the character of Gil Connor. There was a lot of information on Army helicopters, which I enjoyed. This book was exciting, fast paced, full of heroic characters, and a touching story on top of all that.
I highly recommend this book.
September 12, 2020
A great book, like a warm blanket you snuggle. You know there's going to be challenge for the characters, many of whom demonstrate courage, and you have a hunch that whatever the end outcome for the main character, it will be good -- whatever the outcome.
October 10, 2016
Search and rescue high in the mountains of Alaska. Gil Connor is a veteran helicopter pilot from the Vietnam war working out his time at Ladd base in Alaska. He has had a superlative career in nam but time has caught up to him in the form of terminal cancer. His plan was to take a helicopter from base and disappear forever into the mountains but a commercial airline crashes and sets off a rescue into which Gil is drawn. A great story and surprisingly well written. Warning, it is heavy on chopper flying and some of it is very technical. It has the kind of ending that made me very happy.
May 23, 2020
Gill Connor is a helicopter pilot. It is all he ever wanted to be. He never lost his passion for it, even after all his tours in Vietnam and following conflicts. It basically cost him 3 marriages. Now he is in a fight he cannot win. He has cancer. The untreatable kind. The terminal kind. He has decided to take one last flight. This one unauthorized. This will be a 1 way flight. His plans get delayed when an aircraft goes down in the mountains of Alaska. It is carrying students, cruise ship passenger and a few others. It is in his nature to help however he can. It won't stop his initial plan, though. Or will it. Excellent ending.
March 7, 2022
An author to watch Well-written
The main character's story, Gil Connor, is told in flashbacks. There are backstories for most of the people in this novel. They're diverse, complex and believable. Their lives interact due to a plane crash in Alaska and the various attempts to rescue the survivors. I really enjoyed this book. The only person unexplained is a young survivor
who, while only a minor character, mysteriously helped several survivors and yet we know very little about her. Despite this small glitch, the book and the author deserve 5 stars. This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves reading.
The main character's story, Gil Connor, is told in flashbacks. There are backstories for most of the people in this novel. They're diverse, complex and believable. Their lives interact due to a plane crash in Alaska and the various attempts to rescue the survivors. I really enjoyed this book. The only person unexplained is a young survivor
who, while only a minor character, mysteriously helped several survivors and yet we know very little about her. Despite this small glitch, the book and the author deserve 5 stars. This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves reading.
June 13, 2019
Wonderful story!
I have this book a 5star rating because I will remember it. It is one of the best books I have read in a while. Now that I am retired I read everyday. It is one of my favorite pass times. Most of the books are entertaining but not memorable. I loved this story. It is fast paced,with great characters. The scenery descriptions made me feel like I was there with the characters. I can't say enough good things about this book. I highly recommend that you read it and see for yourself!!
I have this book a 5star rating because I will remember it. It is one of the best books I have read in a while. Now that I am retired I read everyday. It is one of my favorite pass times. Most of the books are entertaining but not memorable. I loved this story. It is fast paced,with great characters. The scenery descriptions made me feel like I was there with the characters. I can't say enough good things about this book. I highly recommend that you read it and see for yourself!!
May 6, 2021
I stumbled across this book trying to fill a transportation prompt. But I fell in love with the book. Gil Conner is an Army helicopter pilot. After two tours In Vietnam he is know to be a “fall on his sword”, kind of guy. But now aging, and a grim diagnosis he is facing being grounded.. one last solo helicopter flight alters his life!
I was raised as a military brAt. I fell in love with Gil Conner. I listened to it on audio which just made it better! This story keeps you glued to your seat, who will make it out of the Alaskan wilderness alive! Four stars!
I was raised as a military brAt. I fell in love with Gil Conner. I listened to it on audio which just made it better! This story keeps you glued to your seat, who will make it out of the Alaskan wilderness alive! Four stars!
September 4, 2021
This is a complex novel: Conner, an aging pilot, has terminal cancer but wants to proceed his way. A pilot takes some people sightseeing but loses control of the plane and they are stranded. It takes time to get them rescued, as the helicopters develop problems and have too little gas. The people on the plane have varied personalities and are helpful or not. So much going on! And then in the end a couple of unexpected twists I never saw coming! I kept reading and was on the edge of my seat. Good novel!
February 16, 2020
This book tells the story of an aging helicopter pilot, veteran of Vietnam, now near retirement. It is a good story covered by a blanket of sadness. It leans toward long drawn out radio messages and has flashback of his past life. Although intended for adults, it is more suitable for adult audiences.
September 14, 2020
The main storyline is great, but the filled-in technology of helicopters does not interest everybody. The flashbacks were necessary to really give the reader a more complete understanding of Gil Connor's mindset of the wars in the Middle East, but were a bit too lengthy. Perhaps a better description of his personal family relations would be more interesting to some readers.
August 17, 2021
Gil Connor flying one more time.
Story starts with a passenger plane crash in the mountains of Alaska. It continues with the attempted rescue of the pilot, do pilot, and passengers. Enter Til Connor who took an unauthorized helicopter flight to end his life , as he has cancer. Then he becomes involved in the rescue. Good story.
Story starts with a passenger plane crash in the mountains of Alaska. It continues with the attempted rescue of the pilot, do pilot, and passengers. Enter Til Connor who took an unauthorized helicopter flight to end his life , as he has cancer. Then he becomes involved in the rescue. Good story.
June 20, 2017
Enjoyed the suspense. Too much technical stuff unless knew the jargon it made the the story tough to stay with.
I am a Vietnam era vet the events were realistic. I will give the story three stars. Thank you Greg.
I am a Vietnam era vet the events were realistic. I will give the story three stars. Thank you Greg.
August 7, 2017
Exciting
Although helicopter terminology is foreign to me, this book was extremely well-written and very interesting. Obviously Mr. Liefer is knowledgeable about helicopters, but he can weave that knowledge into a great story. I enjoyed every minute of the read.
Although helicopter terminology is foreign to me, this book was extremely well-written and very interesting. Obviously Mr. Liefer is knowledgeable about helicopters, but he can weave that knowledge into a great story. I enjoyed every minute of the read.
August 30, 2017
Excellent read!!
I read this book in a day, because it was so good, and I couldn't put it down. Loved the characters, plot and all the twists and turns it took. This is my first time reading this author's work. Am looking forward to the next one.
I read this book in a day, because it was so good, and I couldn't put it down. Loved the characters, plot and all the twists and turns it took. This is my first time reading this author's work. Am looking forward to the next one.
November 1, 2017
Excellent
Had a difficult time putting it down. You could just picture the snow, mountains, the different weather patterns, and the different sky patterns. You could imagine the Vietnam war dreams especially if you'd grown up in this era.
Had a difficult time putting it down. You could just picture the snow, mountains, the different weather patterns, and the different sky patterns. You could imagine the Vietnam war dreams especially if you'd grown up in this era.
January 8, 2018
One of the best
If you like aviation stories, this is one of the best. This is edge of the seat flying and a Vietnam helicopter pilot's back story. Well written, great character development. The suspense grabs hold and doesn't stop.
If you like aviation stories, this is one of the best. This is edge of the seat flying and a Vietnam helicopter pilot's back story. Well written, great character development. The suspense grabs hold and doesn't stop.
September 6, 2018
Excellent
A real in the edge of your seat read for anyone with lots of drama, excitement, romance, tension, and real life issues that should keep anyone reading. An unexpected ending leaving me with a wish that the book was even longer.
A real in the edge of your seat read for anyone with lots of drama, excitement, romance, tension, and real life issues that should keep anyone reading. An unexpected ending leaving me with a wish that the book was even longer.
September 14, 2019
The last flight
This was a wonderful story of bravery, sorrow, and the good ending floor a good man who suffered many heartbreak. A good read and some sad truth a bout the Vietnam war and it's tragedies to the families and the men who served there.
This was a wonderful story of bravery, sorrow, and the good ending floor a good man who suffered many heartbreak. A good read and some sad truth a bout the Vietnam war and it's tragedies to the families and the men who served there.
February 3, 2020
This was ok, a bit too much technical stuff but the main plot was pretty good. I wasn't expecting the paranormal thing with the little girl Lisa. I would have liked to see a better ending for Connor, like what happened with his job.
May 6, 2020
Wow, Imfound this to be Avery enjoyable and exciting read. Very interesting main character a good story with action & drama. Then there was a surprise ending after you thought you had figured out how the story ended. Well done Mr. Lie get, well done!
August 11, 2021
Excellent story & well written with a surprising twist. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes stories about flying and the military
Excellent well written story with a surprising twist at the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about flying.
Excellent well written story with a surprising twist at the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about flying.
August 31, 2021
Good read and kept me in the story for the whole book
The story rolled along and kept me entranced till the end. Well recommended for an easy read and to understand the difference between fixed and rotary winged aircraft.
The story rolled along and kept me entranced till the end. Well recommended for an easy read and to understand the difference between fixed and rotary winged aircraft.
April 4, 2022
Kept me up.
I love air disaster/survival stories and this one ranks up there with Earnest Gann's. Interesting hero, Alaskan wilderness, a little love interest thrown in along with a satisfying ending. Glad I found this book.
I love air disaster/survival stories and this one ranks up there with Earnest Gann's. Interesting hero, Alaskan wilderness, a little love interest thrown in along with a satisfying ending. Glad I found this book.
August 22, 2017
God easy read
Interesting well written novel of career military helicopter pilots and rescues in war and peacetime with faith as a bonus.
Interesting well written novel of career military helicopter pilots and rescues in war and peacetime with faith as a bonus.
June 21, 2018
Review
This is one of the best books I have read in awhile. Felt like I was there. Literally could not put it down. Highly recommend it.
This is one of the best books I have read in awhile. Felt like I was there. Literally could not put it down. Highly recommend it.
June 21, 2018
Very Interesting. Almost seemed real. I personally have never considered suicide but I can see how Mr Connor could under the circumstances. I'll consider Mr. Liefer again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews