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

Don't worry if you don't know the difference between a Boeing 737 and an Airbus a380. In fact, don't even worry if you don't know the difference between a jet and a propeller. Wallick's book will inform you without ever making you aware of being taught. On the other hand, if you are an aviation engineer, you will thrive on the details Wallick includes. Why DID so many pilots fall into the cockpit of the 757? There is plenty of excellent reading here for everyone: aviation aficionados seeking an inside look, adventurists looking for vicarious brushes with death, historians interested in the links between World War II and the rise of commercial aviation, and gentler readers who will enjoy a coming--of-age story about a girl and her remarkable father. Wallick moves effortlessly between a hair-raising scene of a 707 with all four jets on fire and the bucolic summer day when her father's hands steadied her as she learned to water-ski. You walk away feeling that you have been let in on fantastic secrets.

For an insider view on commercial aviation and what it was like to be a test pilot, this book is both fascinating and heart-warming. Author Rebecca Wallick grew up in the "family-oriented, aw-shucks can-do geeky engineering" culture of Boeing aeronautics in Seattle since her father was a Boeing test pilot. My father worked for Kodak in Rochester at the same time, so in many ways, I can related to Wallick's childhood. Her book inspires me to share the great stories of his career, although I can't say he ever rolled a place!

Wallick aimed to have this memoir published on the 51st anniversary of the first flight of the 727, her father's favorite airplane. I love memoirs, particularly ones from a woman's point of view of a man's world. Other books like this that I enjoy are [[ASIN:1626549575 An Aviator's Wife]] by early 20th century aviator Earle Ovington's wife and [[ASIN:0307592782 Wondrous Beauty: The Life and Adventures of Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte]].

The film "The Right Stuff" captures for the viewer that magic time when men known as "test pilots" expanded the boundaries of aviation at great peril, often paying the ultimate price. And no one knew their names.

The book Growing Up Boeing is a reprise of that time. After reading her final draft, I interviewed the author.

So, there really was a Happy Bottom Riding Club out in the desert, like in the film The Right Stuff? "Yes there was, and Dad went there, met Pancho Barnes. All the test pilots did."

What compelled you to write this book? How did this all get started? "My undergraduate degree is in history, so I’ve always had an interest in history. Around 2002, as Dad’s health began to fail, I got out a tape recorder and sat down many Sundays to record his memories, the stories I heard pieces of growing up and always knew were part of aviation history."

There are a lot of other pilots mentioned in the book, how did you gain access to them? "My father was not the sort to take credit or boast. Once it was clear I was moving forward with the work he tapped into that network of others who flew with him, taking the same risks. I knew them all as a child, and soon I become re-acquainted with them."

Risks, yes, let’s talk about them. "We get on commercial airliners today and don’t give it a second thought, but the truth is there were many times when Dad wasn’t sure they could bring the aircraft home. To cite one example, the leading edges of the new 767’s wing stuck in the open position, creating drag on one side of the airplane which if improperly handled by the pilot would cause the airplane to crash. The test pilots work out the bugs so the rest of us can fly safely."

"His worst experience, ironically, was flying with a poor FAA pilot while certifying the 727. You read of course about the deep stall? "

Yes, 17 seconds of falling backwards toward earth. I cannot imagine. "I talked to the engineer who read the telemetry; there was no airspeed recorded for 17 seconds – an eternity. The objective was to demonstrate the handling characteristics of the 727 in a stall. There are set degrees of pitch for the test, but the FAA guy pulled back on the stick far, far too much and the airplane nosed up and stopped flying, then started falling backward. The F-86 Sabre chase plane passed right by! But for my Dad’s instincts and skill, the crew would not have come home that night. A very close call."

Did you or your brothers have any idea of the risks your Dad ran? "No. Dad could have been a banker just going to the office and coming home at night. He rarely talked about work, and never about the dangers. I didn’t hear about the deep stall until I began researching the book in 2002, and even then, it was a flight test engineer who first mentioned it, not my father. As kids, mostly we knew he was gone on trips to test airplanes out in the desert at Edwards Air Force Base, or traveling to other countries to prove and sell jets. Dad was very modest."

He flew with a lot of famous people, Neil Armstrong, Charles Lindbergh. How did you get the letter from Prince Phillip? This is the man who is married to Her Majesty, the Queen of England, right? "Yes! He flew with my father in a 757 on a visit here in 1982. I thought ‘it never hurts to ask’ so in August of this year I wrote to the prince, asking if he remembered that flight. I quickly got a lovely letter back from him on Buckingham Palace letterhead! " ( The letter is reprinted in the book).

The list of the famous is long, but it sounded like the most dangerous celebrity flying was with Howard Hughes. "The test pilots’ stories about Hughes’s skills as a pilot in 1959 are hair-raising. They figured out later that not only was he probably on pain meds due to his earlier crashes, but he also had some personality disorders."

It is interesting that as a lawyer, you recognize the inherent conflict of interest that existed between the Boeing pilots and the FAA guys who were to certify the first jets; they socialized. That is gone now, isn’t it? "Yes. I’m told that today, the camaraderie is just not there, the notion that everyone is on the same team trying to build safe aircraft and fly them safely is gone. It’s now all regimented with strict oversight. "

It’s always the lawyers fault. "Yes! Truly, they say the fun has gone out of flight testing."

So, how do you feel about flying? "Commercially I fly all the time, but rarely in private airplanes anymore. There are just too many bad private pilots out there. My Dad and his colleagues had too many tales of people who died flying when they shouldn’t or not knowing how to handle the airplane in all situations. I flew a lot with my Dad of course. Our floatplane trips to Canada were great. "

Yes, the floatplane really captures my imagination. When you are on a plane do you know when something has gone wrong? "Sometimes. I felt a tire blow out on takeoff in a 767 at SeaTac once. From my talks with Dad, I knew this kind of thing happens all the time and is no big deal. The captain didn’t say anything until we were on approach to Amsterdam. We had to fly by the tower for visual inspection and then land far from the terminal, just in case. I was calm, but a guy seated behind me panicked. "

Where do you sit on a commercial airliner? "Near the exits, or in the rear. Dad’s advice. One story in the book, about a deadly 707 training crash near Arlington in 1959, graphically explains the basis for his advice."

This is a great story. I was sad to see the book end. The photo of your father reaching out of the P-12 biplane and cupping your chin in his hand is a compelling portrait of a great father-daughter relationship. "Thank you. We had a wonderful bond. I really miss him. "

It is clear that an era has ended. Some say it was the merger of McDonnell Douglas with Boeing, others say it was the adoption of too many rules made necessary by concerns of collusion between the company and government.

Whatever the cause, the seat-of-the-pants, talent-rises-to-the-top meritocracy that gave us Lew Wallick has been compromised. There will be no more legends built from sheer talent, risk taking, and character.

We instead have a grinding bureaucracy, where the esprit de corps is discouraged and the individual soul lies crushed. What remains is just a job, made less thrilling by simulators and other machines that leave man hollow. A new pilot might have the right stuff, but we will never know, because we have legislated away his opportunities to show it.

So long Lew. I am glad I learned your name.

Don't think you have to love aviation to love this book. It's about a family, history and airplanes. It's a tribute to Lew Wallick who had one of the most dangerous jobs in the world but approached with an "awe shucks" attitude. But mostly about a daughters discovery of the man who was her father. The writing is rich and the research is thorough. I highly recommend this book.

This is an awesome book, and I was lucky to meet the author for a brief moment at Lew’s memorial!

Lew was always my hero, and I always had a lot of admiration, and respect for him! He, in my opinion, was the most important name in Boeing's history! He was there, and on most all the first flights of the jet age! Back when Boeing was a “Family”, kept their promises, and airplanes were delivered on time! Now, if they are 3 ½ years late on a program, and may never make a profit, they pat themselves on the back! The “big names” come and go, and many just drive the company into the ground, including McNerney as of late! Not so with Lew! He, and the other engineers and test pilots are who made it all happen! I took an early retirement from the now Chicago based company just because I could no longer stand what it had become.

We led kind of a weird parallel life. We both worked for Boeing for about 35 years, although, I was at the other end of the food chain. I spent a lot of time growing up at our little cabin on Lake Sammamish right across from the Wallick’s. I probably saw them out on the lake 100 times, although, we never met. Then, much later in life, my then fiancée, sees some Boeing “thing” I had and asked if I had ever heard of Lew Wallick? I said “Hell Yeah”! She said "he was kind of my Step Dad". I said “Yeah Right”! Then she brings out the photo album! OMG!! This was while Lew was in the hospital, and she set up a visit for her and I thru the widow, who, by the way, is a Lovely Lady! I told her that was awesome, and I would love to meet him, but told her I would wait until he got better. He never did! My Dad, who was also an engineer, and had worked for Boeing for a short time, also passed away about the same time. At the memorial where we met the author, we also met his widow (I don’t think the ex had actually met her before). I had once been given Lew’s Navy wings, but gave them back to the ex thinking she should have them more than I. Ironically, my tax man had Tex Johnston’s! At the memorial she gave them to the widow, she wept, and they became friends! She in exchange, gave the ex some of Lew’s ashes, and many links to urns to choose from. Out of the hundreds, ironically, we chose the same exact one, only with different colors! Had we not split up, it would be here. Maybe it will someday! We also got to meet John Cashman at the memorial, another hero I admired!

Anyhow, here’s to the Author for an awesome book, and to her Father Lew, A True Legend!!!

Rebecca Wallick launches this incredible book at her father’s retirement party. After a distinguished career of thirty-five years as a Boeing test pilot, Lew Wallick is being honored. It is an appropriate place to start her fascinating narrative of the many incredible and often near-death experiences that he experienced as a test pilot with the Boeing company. He was in the pilot’s seat as Boeing launched many of their new jet passenger planes and Rebecca has reserved a seat alongside him for each of us. It is an incredible trip as we experience the excitement of test flying new aircraft as well as meeting many fascinating people who are exploring the possibilities of the planes. Buckle-up your seatbelts and join in the fascinating journey!

Rebecca has generously illustrated the book with incredible photos from her private collection as well as historic photos from the Boeing archives. She has also included a glossary which enables the reader to research and understand the technical aspects of flight. You, too, will soon be flying as an expert!

Perhaps the greatest reward of reading the book comes from an observation of a person who led a family life that was enriched by the principles he practiced in the cockpit and in his relationship with all who knew him. Learn of his unique ability to get first-time water skiers up and planing. He fosters and encourages Rebecca’s love of dogs, horses, and even encourages her relationship over several years with a misplaced harbor seal in their lake. Fly with them as they travel to Canadian lakes to enjoy their love of fishing!

Perhaps the most poignant memory of the book comes from Rebecca’s sharing of a very personal dream which occurred after her father’s death. Be prepared for one more brush with a Boeing aircraft!

Growing Up Boeing is so appropriately titled. I grew up Boeing as well, my folks being employed a generation later. Rebecca Wallick proves this book can be enjoyed by readers of any age. She draws you in with the playful moments of her youth and gracefully moves through time, establishing Lew Wallick as a great father and one of the best test pilots in Boeing history. I started out with feelings of nostalgia, moved to moments of laughter, next to feeling intrigued by the history, and finally to a sense of admiration for a man who was clearly more than just an amazing test pilot. This author shows much potential, and I can't wait to see what she has in store next because it's sure to be a winner.

Excellent book and well written! I came across this book while looking for aviation books and bought it instantly. I loved reading about Boeing’s history and learning more about Lew Wallick, his fellow Boeing test pilots, and what a day in the life of a test pilot is really like. Lew seems like he was a pretty amazing person and pilot, and this book is a beautiful testament and tribute to him by his daughter. If you love aviation/Boeing plane history and learning more about what test pilots do on a daily basis, you will love this book. Highly recommended!

Having worked at Boeing as a Flight test engineer from 1966-1972, I had the opportunity to fly with Lew Wallick, Brien Wygle, Tom Edmonds, Sandy McMurray, Jim Gannett, Ray McPherson, Jack Waddell and Don Knudson (all featured in the book). I found Rebecca's book to be extremely informative and well written. Her account of the 707 accident in Oso, WA in 1959 was frank and revealing. I knew a little about many of the incidents described in the book, but not in the detail she provided in her writing. The book brought back many fond memories of my brief flight test career. I had one very memorable trip to Edwards AFB on the 747-200 certification program and can relate to her description of the after hours celebrations around the Antelope Valley Inn and Desert Inn swimming pools. Probably the best book I have read on Boeing history and culture from the "old days". I visited the Seattle Flight Museum and obtained Rebecca's autograph on my copy of her book and had the opportunity to renew my acquaintance with Don Cummings, Dennis Mahan, and Cliff Moore, all of whom I worked alongside in the 1960s. Pat Duvall

As an airline pilot having flown the B-727 and B-737, I found the stories very interesting and enjoyable. Well done!