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by Gary Tup Tupper (Author)
Planes skidding onto frozen lakes.
50,000 pounds of steel shifting in midair.
Runways carved out of Arctic ice in total darkness.
This was not a movie. It was Gary "Tup" Tupper's job.
For more than 30 years, Tup worked as a loadmaster on the legendary C-130 Hercules, flying into Alaska's most dangerous places to deliver the cargo that kept the North Slope alive - drill rigs, fuel, heavy equipment, and entire camps.
In Truckin' the Skies, he tells the true story of the brutal, high-risk airlift that built modern Alaska. You'll ride inside the cargo bay as massive machines are winched onto frozen lakes, pilots dodge mountains in blizzards, and one mistake can turn freight into a deadly weapon.
This is the untold side of bush flying - raw, funny, and sometimes terrifying - told by the man who kept the loads from killing the crew.
If you love Alaska, real aviation, and true adventure, this book delivers all three.
This book is a must-read if you are interested in real Alaskan aviation history.It's written as if you were standing around the hanger with a bunch of old-time pilots and loadmasters remembering the glory days. My hats off to you Gary, another job well done! My apologies for taking so long, it's a great book. Finally, someone who got it right! Thanks for letting me be part of it.
Mike "RED DOG" Redmon Chief Pilot - Retired Lynden Air Cargo
After reading a transcript of "Truckin' the Skies," I'll state what I've always known, that the most important person on the airplane is the loadmaster.When the airplane isn't in the sky, it's not making the company any money. Utilization of an aircraft depends on a good loadmaster who doesn't waste time on the ground. Pre-planning is very important when moving freight.
In reading this book about worldwide travels, I know a good loadmaster like "Tup" whom I have flown with on many trips has made different companies a good return in a day's work. This is a well-written book that should be read by cargo airlines to see the importance of a good loadmaster.
Holger "Jorgy" Jorgenson, 40 Yearsof Experience and Multiple Chief Pilot Positions
Author Biography
Born and raised on a dairy farm in northern Minnesota, the author came to Alaska in 1969. The first seven years were spent as a meat cutter which became rather boring. He fell into aviation in 1977 and was on or around airplanes for the next 40 years. He felt it was the best job he could have had and had a lot of experiences he hopes you find enjoyable reading.
