Friday, August 16, 2013

Ed Chevrette. Jr.: Trusting On Solid Wings


Everyone's Story welcomes pilot and author, Edward Chevrette, Jr. I was introduced to Ed by a fellow parishioner and friend in church (hi, Bobbie!) and am excited to host Ed this week, not only because he has lots of exciting things to share but because he's also from my little corner of the world. Ed, a pilot, an award-winning flight instructor, and author, shares how he got started writing about his flying. He also would like to offer to 2 lucky winners an autographed copy of his  non-fiction book WINGS OF FORTUNE. Please see below for details. This exciting read is perfect for the plane enthusiast, as well as for any writer in need of research on piloting/aviation. Enjoy your visit with Ed. He's looking forward to seeing your comments.


Book Giveaway:
Ed is offering to two randomly chosen commenters a printed edition of WINGS OF FORTUNE. The winner will be announced here on Friday, August 23rd, between 4-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks! 

On Writing and Flying by Ed Chevrette. Jr.

I had always wanted to document my flying experiences for my family and friends, just a small ledger, or perhaps a paperback book, some reference for them to read and enjoy what I had experienced during my days as a pilot.

I hadn’t a clue how to write, let alone publish a document that was worth reading. On a lark, I went to the library and started writing on a computer and transferring this information to floppy discs that I purchased for 0.25 each, not knowing that this was the first step in what proved to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

June of 2007, the first copy of Wings of Fortune was printed, it soon appeared in two local bookstores in Troy and Albany, NY. December of the very same year I had my first book singing; from there I had several book signings, the book became a local best seller in a national book store locally as well as on line through the Troy Book Makers. By request, I have made several personal appearances for local pilot and library groups. At present, my book is available as an e-book through several stores and outlets including Amazon.

What is unique about the book, is that it is not only a memoir, and part of our local aviation history, but the book is written in the first person, so that the reader can be totally immersed in the stories, not just read about the experiences. As a reader, you will experience flying from the basic fabric covered Cub, to the cockpit of a sleek corporate jet. The reader will meet the pilots and share their camaraderie and humor; experience their tragedy and personal triumph. 

All the stories in my book are true and factual. For publishing purposes I had to change the last name of the characters, but they too, are real. Some of the aircraft are still around and flying to this date.

There are several incidents in the book the required some form of emergency procedure. One really stands out: I was on top of a snow shower at 8,000 feet, when I noticed that our electrical system was failing. I called Poestenkill airport to inform them of my predicament. I was informed that the airport had their own electrical problems and were in the process of repairing the problem. It was shortly after this we had an on board electrical fire which rendered the system inoperable. Lighting up cigarettes’ one after the other to monitor our flight instruments, we had no way to navigate or communicate.

Several minutes passed, when we were given a reprieve; a large hole in the cloud cover was our window of opportunity, for at the base of the cloud was the lighted runway at Poestenkill. We were all quite weary after our landing, when to my astonishment, it began to snow quite heavily while at the same time the runway lights were once again out of service. Fortune had shined its light. 

Questions for Ed:
What are the top character traits a pilot should have?

The top quality..Integrity, an absolute must especially when situations are not at their best.

You've probably heard such axioms related to trusting God during stressful times such as "There are no atheists in foxholes" and others murmur "When flying, I feel the closest to God ever." Do you have an original to add when it comes to flying without feet firmly planted on the ground?

There are many axioms, and I will not add any more here, other than the fact that the lure of flying is very difficult to resist and even harder to explain.

Did you have to overcome any fears when you first began to fly?

This answer should bring a smile to everyone's face; yes I was fascinated by anything that left the ground and stayed airborne until a predetermined time to return, and although I have a fear of heights, I found that not to be a factor when airborne. Wish I could say the same for standing on top of a ladder.

Ed's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

Meet pilot, award-winning flight instructor, and author Ed Chevrette. (Tweet This)

Everyone has a story: check out pilot Ed Chevrette’s. (Tweet This)

Need flying research? Like true aviation stories. Visit with Ed Chevrette. (Tweet This)

#BookGiveaway of WINGS OF FORTUNE by Ed Chevrette, pilot. (Tweet This)

Author Bio:
Born in Sunbury,PA and raised in the Capital District of New York, Ed graduated from Albany High School and attended Albany Business College. It was during this time he was a member of the local Cub Scout and Boy Scout organizations, afterward becoming a Cadet member of the local Civil Air Patrol Wing where he was the first Cadet to earn his Private Pilots License.

Ed began his flying career as a part time flight instructor at the Loudon Airport (now closed), and later at The Schenectady County Airport, Albany, Round Lake and Poestenkill airports on a full time basis. As the Chief Flight Instructor at the Poestenkill Airport, he instructed the ground and flight courses for an FAA Approved Flight School; this to include Private, Commercial And Instrument Flight Courses he personally wrote, and added to the curriculum, two Flight Instructor Courses, Multi Engine,and Airline Transport Pilot Rating Courses for both Single and Multi-Engine Aircraft. He was also under contract with The United States Navy to teach the basic flight courses to the ROTC Cadets at RPI in Troy, NY.

During his active flying career Ed was the holder of the coveted Gold Seal Flight Instructor Rating. Other accomplishments include an Associates Degree in Business Administration, Associates in General Science, Airline Transport Pilot Rating with a Learjet Type Rating, FAA Certificate of Accomplishment for 10,000 consecutive hours without an aircraft accident.

He enjoys watching the accomplishments of his three children in their adulthood, and enjoys living alone, his few close friends, golf, keeping fit and writing.

Links to connect with Ed:

More information of interest:



A Note From Elaine:

In following professionals' advice, I've started an Author's Page on Facebook. I'd love for you to Like it at : https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElaineStock

Thanks ♥

26 comments:

  1. I love this. I've flown commercially and also in a Beech Craft single engine. Not as the pilot. lol. I will bookmark Ed's FB page in case I need to ask questions for a future book. pat at ptbradley dot com

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    1. Pat, I love discovering new things about my friends :) Always happy to see you here.

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    2. Pat, thank you for viewing our blog, hope you enjoy the book. Ed

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  2. Bobbie RenoAugust 16, 2013

    Hi Ed! After all we have in aviation common, I am pleasantly surprised we both share a fear of heights! Funny how that disappears when enclosed in a cockpit and moving, LOL! Oh, how I wish you knew my Dad! But reading your book brings the experiences I had with my Dad...flying with him...back so clearly. Oh, the golden memories!

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    1. A fond hello, Bobbie. I wonder if the fear of heights dissipates some while in a cockpit because of the intense focus? I think I'll stick to just being a passenger and trusting God in my journey :)

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    2. Hi Bobbie, great to hear from you, would have loved to have met or Dad; PS, get going on that book about your Dad. Ed

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  3. Ed was my first flight instructor in the fall of 1967. I enjoyed a 40 year flying career as a Navy jet carrier pilot and as an international commercial jumbo jet pilot, serving as an airline captain.Every lesson that Ed taught remained of great value. But moreover Ed taught me how to succeed, no matter what the challenge. Pretty good knowledge from a very capable teacher for a young person to use for the next 40+ years.

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    1. Ed, welcome to Everyone's Story. It's a pleasure to see you here. What a testimony of Ed. Hope to see you back here again.

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    2. Paul, once again thank you for your wonderful comments, I am very proud of you and all the ROTC Students from RPI who have had a very successful career in Aviation. Keep up the good work on your aviation seminars. Ed

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  4. What a fun interview! I hopped over here from Elaine's ACFW loop post, because I happen to have a new book hero who's a pilot. And I know not much about piloting. Of course, it happens that way. Thanks for sharing with us.

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    1. So nice to see you, Lynette. Funny and amazing the directions life leads us, especially when we're in need of answers, whether for writing or Life 101 bigger issues. Do check back later for Ed's reply :)

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    2. Thank you Lynette for viewing our post, hope you enjoy the book. Ed

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  5. Glad to see this. There's nothing like a good read from a veteran pilot to keep readers up in the air with delight. Given a choice, I'd rather read the experiences of someone who knows their stick & rudder than the story of a ground-pounder any day. My dad used to fly an open cockpit crop duster when I was young, and he always kept a single-engine Taylorcraft or other plane at the Pontiac Airport. Please enter my name for the giveaway!

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    1. Hello, Rick. I'm glad you found your way over here. Glad you enjoyed Ed's segment. You're definitely in the giveaway drawing. Ed should be reply back in a little while. Do check back.

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    2. Rick I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did writing it; a friend of mine had a Taylorcraft which I flew quite often, great airplane. Ed

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  6. This sounds like a very interesting book, and I think I'm
    going to have to purchase a copy very soon. Although I am not a pilot, I did start lessons at age 16 in a J-3 Piper
    Cub at Duanesburg Airport, and my instructor was also
    an F-86 jet pilot in the Air National Guard 109th. I do
    remember that my mother thought I couldn't even taxi
    straight to the runway, as the Cub was zig-zagging down
    the apron. I had to explain to her that with a J-3, you
    had to taxi that way because you couldn't see out front
    when on the ground. Also, Ed, I might add that I too
    attended A.B.C., and graduated in 1963 - I must have
    just missed you. I also later spent time at Schenectady
    airport as a member of the Air National Guard 109th.
    It is a pleasure reading about your story on Elaine's
    great Everyone's Story blog. Thanks a lot.
    Bob Frezon

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    1. Wow, Bob, now I see why you have a love of aviation! I love learning new things about friends. As always, it's nice to see you here. And thanks for the sweet words about the blog. Do check back later for Ed's reply.

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    2. Flown into the Duanesbrug airport many times, thank you for checking out this blog and hope you enjoy reading my book. Ed

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  7. My dad worked for the airlines all of my life, and just retired after 40 years. I have flown in every size of plane and helicopters too. When I was a girl, I wanted to become a pilot. Although I never learned to fly, I am now in my 50's and am still fascinated that we are able to travel by air. And, I dimly love to travel. My husband says I have jet fuel in my blood. I enjoyed your post. What a great book topic. Thank you.

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    1. Thank you Cathy, it is never too late to learn to fly, hope you enjoy the book. Ed

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    2. So nice to see you, Cathy! What fascinates me about flying is that one second you're on the ground and then within seconds you're above ground... and staying above ground. It still boggles my mind that man has created such a device, and even more, vehicles that can bring us into and back from space!

      Now, we all need to develop peace between all :)

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  8. What a nice-looking blog, Elaine, and an excellent article. My husband is a member of a local Experimental Aviators group, who build their own planes. He will love this article. Think I'll buy the book for his Christmas present. Thanks again, Elaine. Nice job.

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    1. Susan, thanks for the visit today! Wow--what an interesting pastime your husband has. Perhaps you'll win Ed's book here.The winner will be announced this Friday. Hope to see you again here.

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  9. Susan,thank you for your compliment and my hat is off to the Experimental Group, great bunch of aviators that deserve more recognition then they get. Ed

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  10. I am so incredibly blessed to say that lately, just when I think one week of hosting a guest and viewer hits have made for an awesome week, another week follows! Praise God. And thank you viewers.

    Ed, you've had so many viewer hits in one week's time that you've made it into the top ten of my all-time viewer most frequented guest segment, actually making it to #9. Pretty wonderful, Ed!

    And thank you so much for offering a copy of your book to two winners, who have expressed a hungry eagerness to read it. And the winners of WINGS OF FORTUNE are...


    Susan and Bob. Congratulations you two. Both Ed and I will be in touch with you directly.

    Blessings.

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  11. Elaine, thank you so much for this great experience,for all of you who have read this post,thank you so much.

    To each and every one of you, a sincere wish for clear skies and good fortune. E.A.Chevrette,Jr.

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