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The Self-Improver

A Pilot's Journey

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The Self-Improver

By: Nick Eades
Narrated by: Nick Eades
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‘I was on the last leg of my first cross country flight. My next radio call would be to ask permission to land. I began to relax. I was nearly home. That’s when the aircraft’s engine stopped.’

The Self-Improver is an autobiographical account about how a university drop-out took his first steps towards becoming the world’s most experienced Boeing 747 captain.

Author Nick Eades was going nowhere fast when it struck him that after all, he was destined to follow in family footsteps and become a pilot. The book takes us into the cockpit to follow his journey to captaining one of the most iconic aircraft ever flown.

The Self-Improver relates Nick’s step-by-step path up the aviation ladder. Working his way through a variety of jobs, he enrols and passes the necessary training courses to achieve the licences and ratings that will move him towards ever-improving jobs up the pilot hierarchy.

His journey takes him from close to home in the UK over to the US and back again, as he makes his way in the world of aviation.

Including many amusing anecdotes and gripping incidents mixed with tragic ones too, The Self-Improver is a personal account of one man’s mission to reach the skies and achieve the ultimate dream.

©2021 Nick Eades (P)2024 Nick Eades Aviation Air Force
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This book was a very good listen! I have flown a lot as a passenger but I hadn’t realized before reading this book how difficult it is to become a commercial pilot. The title of the book could be misleading and one might think it was about self-improvement but the term “Self-Improver” is very specific and describes the very challenging career development path of a pilot who charts his own way through a difficult career path especially at a time when there was a particular “class system” in the industry. The book is really Part 1 of an autobiography with the main focus on learning to fly. I especially enjoyed the book because I grew up in the same area as the author and know many of the places he mentions. I had even lived in the California for some time so the author’s training there also really came to life. I highly recommend this book whether you are interesting in flying or not. It charts the very interesting career of someone who follows his passion in life.

Entertaining and Informative!

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Really interesting, it’s a great /read / listen for both aviation enthusiasts as well as anyone with a casual interest. Nick explains his career in a way that’s easy to listen and contains some very humorous stories. It’s naturally narrated and feels like you could be sat having a beer (or a coffee) while he’s telling his story. Can’t wait to start the next book.

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As someone who’s in the process of changing career to fulfil my childhood dream of becoming a commercial pilot, I really enjoyed this book. Everyone’s journey to the flight deck is different and you don’t need to be the most talented. Hard work and determination is what you need to succeed. Thank you Nick for this book.

Perfect for a wannabe commercial pilot

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A wonderful insight into the world of aviation and the adventures of an ambitious and remarkable chap.

Touching and fascinating

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