Rescue Pilot

“Just Great. It’s going to be of tremendous interest to all Naval helicopter pilots present and future and to the people who want to know more about this aspect of military flight. Boy, you’ve unleashed a flood of memories.”—Bill Stuyvesant, Legendary Navy Helo Pilot

A DARING COLD-WAR WARRIOR RECOUNTS THE THRILLS OF HIGH-SEA HELICOPTER RESCUE MISSIONS

Within the pages of Rescue Pilot distinguished Naval aviator Dan McKinnon brings to life the dramatic at-sea helicopter rescues he participated in during his anything but peaceful “peacetime service” in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1959. Helicopter flight itself, not to mention vertical-lift rescue and evacuation was in its infancy at that time, so pilots like Dan had to “learn as they go”, executing daring at-sea rescue missions from air carrier flight decks. Rough water, treacherous weather and risky cold-war conditions were all part of a day’s work.

Along with dramatic rescues, you’ll participate in ship-to-ship replenishments, pick-ups and transfers, mine detection, and radar calibration operations. Dan also provides fascinating insider glimpses of peacetime naval life, long periods at sea, survival training, early helicopter technology, flight deck operation, and an incident-by-incident account of the U.S. Navy’s involvement in the Formosa Straight crisis.

In Rescue Pilot Dan McKinnon skillfully interweaves technical and historical information with his own thrilling real-life experiences . . . and tells a story as only a man who has put his life on the line to save others can.

DAN McKINNON is an expert in commercial aviation travel and survival. He currently is the owner and president of North American Airlines based at JFK InternationalAirport. North American is a worldwide large jet charter and scheduled airline flying B757 and new generation B737-800 aircraft.

From 1981 to 1985 he served as Chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and oversaw implementation of airline deregulation during the tumultuous period of bankruptcies and adjustment from a government-regulated industry to one controlled by the marketplace.

Mr. McKinnon played a key role in U.S. international aviation policy and negotiations for air-route agreements with countries around the world.

On December 31, 1984, McKinnon oversaw the shutdown of the 46-year-old Civil Aeronautics Board in accordance with the President's wishes--the first government regulatory agency ever closed.

McKinnon formerly owned and operated two radio stations in San Diego for 23 years and spent 4 years as publisher of a newspaper in La Jolla, California.

A former Navy pilot, who specialized in rescue efforts and techniqes, McKinnon holds the Navy peacetime helicopter rescue record with 62 air-sea saves.

In the middle 1980s he did special projects for the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

As part of his military training, and continuously since that time, he has done extensive study in survival, captive, and POW situations.