Don Smith soloed a Piper Cub on October 26, 1962. He retired as a Captain for Delta Air Lines on August 1, 2005. He has flown General Aviation, Air Force, Corporate, and Airline aircraft. As a safety advocate he has been involved in aircraft accident investigations, safety reporting systems, flight test, FAA and ICAO policy, and pilot training. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree, both from the University of Houston. With over 23,000 hours and 138 aircraft models in his logbook, he remains an active pilot in his Beechcraft V-35B Bonanza.
“Volant Legacy,” is the adventure story of a young man who mysteriously inherits his father’s memory. It begins with the flying adventures of his grandfather and father told by recounting mostly true stories of real pilots. After witnessing his father’s death, he uses his inherited knowledge to excel as a pilot. A prodigy, he readily masters general aviation, the Air Force Academy, Air Force pilot training, fighter squadron adventures, and test pilot school. …
In Volant Legacy, the protagonist’s world takes a sharp turn when he is invited to join a covert government program involving a top-secret orbital maneuvering craft. What makes him uniquely suited for this role? His inherited…
One of the most compelling aspects of Volant Legacy is its grounding in real-life aviation history. The flying escapades of the protagonist’s grandfather and father are based on mostly true stories from real pilots. These tales…
What if you woke up one day with vivid memories that weren’t your own but belonged to your father—his thoughts, experiences, and knowledge? This compelling premise drives the adventure-packed story of Volant Legacy. The book follows…