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Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
With females making up just 5% of the world’s pilots, this memoir crosses genres to combine aviation history, the author’s journey from unwanted child to successful pilot, and the feminist experience, and will appeal to multiple aviation communities.
“Don’t be silly! Girls can’t fly,” seven-year-old Lola’s father admonishes her as they fly across Canada on a commercial flight in 1962. She is crushed—but decides he must be right. She’s only ever seen male pilots, after all.
Highway to the Sky begins during the empty zone of women in aviation, a three-decade drought following WWII when men reclaimed the jobs that had been performed by women during the war and forced women back to diapers and dishes, where they “belonged.”
Despite Lola’s childhood desire to avoid the straitjacket of traditional female roles and become a pilot, her desperate need for unconditional affection after a lonesome childhood sways her determination. At age twenty, she leaps into marriage and motherhood. Four years, one toxic relationship, and one private pilot license later, she leaves her husband, even though she knows she’ll be censured by friends, family, and 1970s society at large.
Lola’s head-on battle with tradition continues as the lone female pilot in her advanced flight training program and on the job as a flight instructor, bush pilot, charter pilot, and commuter airline pilot between 1979 and 1993. Flying is challenging at times, yes—but her true obstacles are the hostility, sabotage, and discrimination she faces in her industry. She perseveres, however. Ultimately, flying is what gives her the courage to regain control of her life—and helps her find personal happiness.
“Don’t be silly! Girls can’t fly,” seven-year-old Lola’s father admonishes her as they fly across Canada on a commercial flight in 1962. She is crushed—but decides he must be right. She’s only ever seen male pilots, after all.
Highway to the Sky begins during the empty zone of women in aviation, a three-decade drought following WWII when men reclaimed the jobs that had been performed by women during the war and forced women back to diapers and dishes, where they “belonged.”
Despite Lola’s childhood desire to avoid the straitjacket of traditional female roles and become a pilot, her desperate need for unconditional affection after a lonesome childhood sways her determination. At age twenty, she leaps into marriage and motherhood. Four years, one toxic relationship, and one private pilot license later, she leaves her husband, even though she knows she’ll be censured by friends, family, and 1970s society at large.
Lola’s head-on battle with tradition continues as the lone female pilot in her advanced flight training program and on the job as a flight instructor, bush pilot, charter pilot, and commuter airline pilot between 1979 and 1993. Flying is challenging at times, yes—but her true obstacles are the hostility, sabotage, and discrimination she faces in her industry. She perseveres, however. Ultimately, flying is what gives her the courage to regain control of her life—and helps her find personal happiness.
Product Details
- Publisher: She Writes Press (September 17, 2024)
- Length: 344 pages
- ISBN13: 9781647428006
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Raves and Reviews
“[Lola's] memoir transcends genres, blending personal challenges with professional aspirations. . . . a compelling testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one's dreams, offering inspiration to readers facing similar struggles in their own lives.”
—Readers Favorite
“When Lola Reid Allin agrees to her husband’s suggestion they take flying lessons, she has no inkling that flying will be the mind-expanding and confidence-building experience of a lifetime. Along the way she navigates through the putdowns, rudeness, and treachery of a patriarchal society, learning when to deflect and when to retaliate. Her vivid prose and well-paced narrative make for an engrossing read.”
—Patricia Whittaker, Journalist (CBC, Winnipeg Free Press, Toronto Star) and author
“Highway to the Sky is a motivational primer for anyone growing up and looking ahead to what might be there for them. Her vivid and colorful descriptions of her early flight training and the Canadian landscape are very picturesque. . . She inspires the reader to understand the sky is the limit and to stay true to your own dreams and ideals—good advice for any endeavor.”
—Becky Condon, US Navy/Delta Air Lines 757/767ER Captain Ret'd
“Lola Reid Allin’s memoir, Highway to the Sky, brings us to the heart of wanting something society says you can’t have. In an era when women could be teachers or secretaries, we understand young Lola’s determination and struggles as she navigates a misogynistic world of aviation and relationships. With elegant, descriptive language, Lola writes of her passions, triumphs, and disappointments as they propel her forward. Highway to the Sky is an enlightening read full of captivating imagery and adventure that gives hope to all to keep fighting for their dreams.”
—Erin Spaeth, Alaska Airlines Captain B-737, Retired
“In this compelling memoir, Lola Reid Allin takes us into the sky, the clouds, and all the exhilarating joy and terror of flying small planes. Coming of age in the early 1970s, her path is a quagmire of misogyny in every form. Her personal life throws more missiles at her, from parental disapproval to domestic violence made worse by police indifference. This story is a page turner . . . She keeps us engaged all the way to the last page.”
—Ellen Barker, author of Still Needs Work
“Lola Reid Allin has woven together a brilliant memoir that profiles her life as a young aviator during a time when being a female pilot was not a common career choice. It is a great read for someone looking for inspiration and a lesson in the importance of believing in yourself and not letting life’s arrows or downturns influence your drive.”
—Cheryl Stinson Rodo, author of Blind Trust: Winner, Sinner
“Lola Reid Allin’s memoir provides an insightful view into the realities of being an ambitious female in the male-dominated world of the last decades of the 20th century. The book is a fast-paced, entertaining, and informative read. Most impressive is the author’s authenticity in sharing colorful personal anecdotes and experiences.”
—Shelley Grandy, author of Devious Web
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Highway to the Sky Trade Paperback 9781647428006
