High Flight: A Pilot's Journey Through Life
by Richard Hess
GENRE: Memoir
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/01/2025
DESCRIPTION:
Richard Hess, born John Patrick Aliano, began life in a typical middle-class household. His parents divorced when he was just a toddler, and after his mom remarried, she gave him her new husband’s surname, further distancing him from his paternal roots. Growing up on New York’s mean streets with an abusive stepfather taught Richard grit at a very early age.
This grit followed him into the United States Air Force, which became his surrogate patriarch for the next 28 years. During his service, from the cockpit of high-performance jet aircraft, Richard learned to leave his scars behind. Now, after 50 years of marriage, raising three kids, fighting in nine war zones, and traveling to countless countries, he’s gained a certain perspective on life.
Richard’s years spent as a military pilot, airline captain, and businessman have given him an education in life, love, and faith — an education that begs to be shared.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Richard Hess has spent nearly 50 years traveling the globe as a professional pilot and businessman. He published his first novel, "Night Of The Bear," in April 2025, with his second novel, "Red Tide," to be published in March 2026. He has also written dozens of aviation magazine articles about warbird flying, aircraft maintenance, safety, and international deliveries.
Growing up in a troubled home, he overcame his childhood circumstances to achieve prominence in the aviation world. He has traveled to every continent, and flown trainers, transports and fighter aircraft from ten countries. Raising a family and surviving multiple war zone deployments has taught him many of life’s shareable lessons. His memoir takes us on an exciting ride through the world of aviation while emphasizing the importance of faith, family and friends.
REVIEWS:
"Rich likes to tell the story about a wayward Cessna that appeared in our windscreen. With no time to talk he maneuvered our aircraft out of harm's way. He proclaims I introduced him to the world of warbird flying and he pursued it with the resolve of a fighter pilot closing for a gun kill. He became a sought-after instructor in Soviet era jets. That led to his establishment of a foreign jet overhaul service. He became a premier oceanic ferry pilot.
"Richs’ life story balances the excitement of flight with his early struggles in a dismally dysfunctional family. Many young people would have bailed out on life. Not Rich. Guided by his faith in God he chose the path of perseverance and hard work. You’ll ride with him in peace and war, in the cockpits of T-38s, A-10s, F-15s, C-141s and a variety of civil aircraft. Best of all, you’ll see the man, who endured heartbreak, hardship, and danger, to reach the pinnacle of aviation."
Captain Alan Cockrell
Coauthor of "Night Of The Bear"
COMPARATIVE FILM/BOOK:
Fighter Pilot by Robin Olds; Richard Eager by Col Richard Earnest Evans; With The Old Breed by E B Sledge; Hangar 4 by Isaac G Lee
CASTING:
Richard Hess: Tom Cruise or Chris Pratt; Alan Cockrell: Ryan Reynolds; and wife Rosann Hess: Charlize Theron, Cameron Diaz
PRIMARY VENUES/LOCATIONS WITHIN THE BOOK:
Long Island, NY; Westfield, MA; Wichita Falls, TX; Atlanta, GA; Saudi Arabia; Germany
BOOK EXCERPT:
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