A Life Aloft – From Montana Roots to Pan Am Wings
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It took several years of “gentle persuading” by Jack Burke’s family and friends to get him to write his life story. Luckily, he finally has—and what a treasure it is! Born on an eastern Montana homestead in 1922, Jack set his sights on the sky from an early age. Already driving his own car—a Model T wrapped in an “airplane” body—Jack thought nothing of soloing at 14, and was flying for a local well-driller, “hopping every ranch kid in eastern Montana,” and hunting coyotes from the air before he was out of high school. Soon Jack was “flying the bush” for Pan Am in Alaska and piloting the majestic flying boats across the North Atlantic. Jack finished his service in World War Two in the Aleutians, but would return to serve in both the Air Force and Navy in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. |
Amazingly, Jack’s “best day ever” with Pan Am was January 31, 1968, the first day of the gruesome Tet Offensive, when he made a daring landing with his 707 into besieged Saigon Airport and delivered more than 200 trapped Vietnamese—many of them children—to safety. “All those little kids,” he recalls with a smile. And surely they have never forgotten him.
Retired from Pan Am in 1982, Jack had a 40-year career as an instructor, check pilot and even Chief Pilot—although he always preferred to “fly the line.” But it was never a job to him. “I got paid for my hobby,” he says. Everyone should be so lucky.
Sadly, the love of Jack’s life and his wife of 65 years, “Scotty,” succumbed to cancer in 2007. But her bright memory lives on, in many of the stories and photos presented here, and in the beautiful, fragrant rose gardens she left for Jack, his family and friends as a living memorial in their lovely Hurstwood, Washington home.
So here is the unique and moving story of one man’s “life aloft,” guaranteed to deliver many colorful characters and destinations, a chuckle or two, and a smooth and happy landing. Enjoy.
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From the majestic Big Sky country of Montana to the remote, unrelenting wilds of Alaska, from wartime Europe to war torn Southeast Asia, from the boundless South Pacific to the eerily desolate North Pole—and nearly all points in between—Jack Burke’s seventy-five years of flying have carried him there.
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Jack’s aviation career has spanned eight decades, placed him at the controls of nearly every new plane to “fly the line,” and crossed paths with dozens of memorable characters. From ski-planes to 747s, “smoke bombs and trapdoors” to smothering fog and hellish winds, ice storms to sweltering heat, dog team drivers and sextants to the most sophisticated equipment of the day—Jack Burke has seen and flown through it all. Now you can ride along with him, sharing first-hand all the thrills, chills and, occasionally, near-spills of a unique and remarkable “life aloft.” |
December 20th, 2010 at 6:40 am
Jack,
Where can I purchase your book? I’ve clicked on “purchase your book here” but nothing happens. Is your book available in Burien? I read about A Life Aloft & your book signing in the Highline Times. Unfortunately, I wasn’t available on Dec 3rd to purchase the book.
David Schneebeck
January 2nd, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Hi Jack,
My fiance, Dale and I just moved into the Hurstwood (on the corner of 14th and 137th SW). Yesterday we met our neighbor Dick (didn’t catch his last. His wife’s name is Patty). Anyway, he mentioned you and your book. I was searching on the web for anything about the Hurstwood community an saw your website.
I am wondering if there is a listserve or email distribution that we might join to keep abreast of what is happening in Hurstwood.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
All the Best,
CarolAnn
March 9th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
I started reading the book and can’t put it down. Finest story I’ve ever read. A true hero and veteran of the skies. Thanks Jack for allowing me to enjoy your fantastic life story.
John Robertson
April 19th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
The Rainier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are interested in having you speak to our group on November 8, 2011 at our Chapter House in Seatttle, Washington. If this is possible please contact me at my email. I heard your radio interview and our members would be very excited to host a program about your book.
Take care,
Lauri Langton, Regent
Rainier Chapter NSDAR
800 East Roy Street
Seattle, WA 98102
May 10th, 2011 at 9:59 am
Mr. Burke,
I met you at the Museum of Flight April 30th, 2011 at the Style in the Isle get together for past and present flight attendants. We walked around the parking lot talking, and then you autographed your book for me. I must tell you, it is now my ALL TIME FAVORITE book I have ever read. Finished it this morning over coffee. It was certainly an honor meeting you, I wish we would have had more time to talk. All my best “Jackie”, Mr. Burke, (that was one of my favorite parts). I hope to meet with you again in the near future.
Alex Gutierrez
Seattle, WA
Former TWA Flight Attendant/JFK
July 30th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Just about finished with your book. My son Andrew, a Montana State grad, gave it to me for Fathers Day. Great read, and what a wonderful life experience!
Wondering if you remember my aunt, Beatrice Springer, who was an executive secretary for Pan Am in San Francisco, I think from about 1938 when she graduated from Stanford to when she retired around 1970. She had stories about flying the Clipper on what might have been it’s maiden voyage.
David Springer
August 27th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
My friend bought me a copy of your book after your appearance at her West Seattle Rotary Club meeting; she delivered it to me as we began a week of vacation. Such fun to read of your lifelong “hobby” and all its exploits. It also brought back many memories to me, as I too am also a son of eastern Montana. One generation younger than you, I grew up in Sidney and learned to fly as a teenager in the back seat of a J-3-C-65 with the town’s spray pilot/FBO slapping the control stick against my knees to get my attention. That same plane (92154) is now in my care in its 51st year of family ownership. It awaits your flight anytime you want to visit Thun Field (KPLU) at Puyallup. Thanks for sharing your stories.
August 29th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Hi Jack,
What an amazing and full life you’ve had. I’m especially inspired by the ways you’ve managed to pass your good foutine on to others. I especially loved reading about Saigon. I also learned some things about Charles Lindbergh I didn’t know. So I guess that will be my next book! Thanks again for a wonderful read.
Bill Sharer
October 29th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Hello Jack,
Your niece Laverne loaned me your book. I was stationed at the 902nd AC&W with Elwin. I’m sorry we never met. I enjoyed the history, especially around Miles City and Custer County. I always wondered who the pilot was that brought those kids out of Saigon and now I know. Thank you.
Bob Wildrick
December 20th, 2011 at 7:26 am
Hi Jack,
Your wonderful interview with Dave Beck on KUOW reached my ears one day and immediately I was intrigued. My father, John W. Shepherd, was a flight engineer with Pan Am from the mid 1940s until his retirement ~ 1985. Perhaps you two crossed paths. Initially John was based in SF, then NY, but by 1953 in Seattle. We children grew up in Bellevue, and we recall his flying to Alaska, Europe and the Orient, and enjoyed the wonderful Pan Am gatherings in summer and at holidays.
Fortunately I was able to contact Dave at KUOM and he promptly led me to your website. Tomorrow I hope to order your book to share with my siblings and wonder if there is a way to request your signing the book. Thanks, Judy
January 11th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
I am loving my read of My Life Aloft after hearing an interview with Jack on KUOW. I just bought a copy of the book for my brother, an avid private pilot who grew up in the Burien area and has spent time in Alaska. As I read your words, I could hear the echo of his passion for flying also. I think he will love the book! I am also wondering if you have any upcoming book readings or appearances in your schedule where I might get the book signed. Thank you for this wonderfully genuine memoir.