Flight to Fairbanks
An incident in the high country22 total reviews
Comment from Jesse James Doty
I can see how learning to fly would prevent those of us who are afraid of flying but those of us who are fearful of ghosts is another story altogether. I am assuming this story is true and yet you have it listed under fiction so I would suggest changing the listing so as not to confuse the readers.
Well written and an excellent portrayal of pilots who learn how to fly easily.
Jesse
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2024
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I can see how learning to fly would prevent those of us who are afraid of flying but those of us who are fearful of ghosts is another story altogether. I am assuming this story is true and yet you have it listed under fiction so I would suggest changing the listing so as not to confuse the readers.
Well written and an excellent portrayal of pilots who learn how to fly easily.
Jesse
Comment Written 31-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 01-Jan-2024
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Thanks Jesse, yes its been years since I've flown. This is supposed to be a ghost who got on the pilots line and talked him down. I heard what I was told is a real event like this. Hope its true.
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It's a beautiful thing. A ghost talking a pilot down is a marvelous story to tell.
Enjoy the new year.
Comment from royowen
I love these ghostly stories, with Joe Danforth guiding them in how could the not survive. Such a great short story, you've done a great job with this, give me ghosts that know their stuff every time, beautifully written, blessings Roy
Typo : a police car('s) red light...
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2023
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I love these ghostly stories, with Joe Danforth guiding them in how could the not survive. Such a great short story, you've done a great job with this, give me ghosts that know their stuff every time, beautifully written, blessings Roy
Typo : a police car('s) red light...
Comment Written 30-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2023
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Thanks Roy, much appreciated.
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Most welcome
Comment from Navada
I really enjoyed this story and I can see why it was a contest winner. Your experience as a pilot shone through and gave the piece great authenticity. I really liked the revelation at the end with the police officer. Great writing!
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2023
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I really enjoyed this story and I can see why it was a contest winner. Your experience as a pilot shone through and gave the piece great authenticity. I really liked the revelation at the end with the police officer. Great writing!
Comment Written 30-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2023
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Thank you, much appreciated.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this amazing story with us. I enjoyed reading. Thank you, again.
Please keep an eye on your dialogue.
What time do you see us getting in?" Jean Asked. (Jean asked. OR asked Jean.)
Will thought. (thought is normally put in italics so there's no confusion.)
Don't panic, he told himself, find a landing spot. (TRY - "Don't panic," he told himself, "Find a landing spot.")
"Flight N209. State your position." Came a calm male voice. (position," came a calm male voice.)
then the voice returned. "N209, turn left to 195 degrees, maintain descent at steady glide." (returned,")
The male voice was still calm but concerned. "N209. Who am I talking to?" (concerned, "N209)
"I'm Will. My wife Jean is with me." (wife,)
Joe came back on the line. "Will, look below and to your right. (line,)
"He's taking us over an updraft honey; it will give us more altitude. (updraft,)
if he had overheard their conversation. "Jean," (conversation,)
"Wow," The man exclaimed. "That was the most incredible (TRY - "Wow! the man exclaimed, "That was the most incredible )
"Tower?" The policeman replied. (the)
Who talked you in sir, what was this guy's name?" (TRY - Who talked you in, sir? What was this guy's name?"
"Officer." Came Jean's voice from the other room. "Joe had a young daughter named Kate, didn't he." (TRY - "Officer," came Jean's voice from the other room, "Joe had a young daughter named Kate, didn't he?"
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2023
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Thank you for sharing this amazing story with us. I enjoyed reading. Thank you, again.
Please keep an eye on your dialogue.
What time do you see us getting in?" Jean Asked. (Jean asked. OR asked Jean.)
Will thought. (thought is normally put in italics so there's no confusion.)
Don't panic, he told himself, find a landing spot. (TRY - "Don't panic," he told himself, "Find a landing spot.")
"Flight N209. State your position." Came a calm male voice. (position," came a calm male voice.)
then the voice returned. "N209, turn left to 195 degrees, maintain descent at steady glide." (returned,")
The male voice was still calm but concerned. "N209. Who am I talking to?" (concerned, "N209)
"I'm Will. My wife Jean is with me." (wife,)
Joe came back on the line. "Will, look below and to your right. (line,)
"He's taking us over an updraft honey; it will give us more altitude. (updraft,)
if he had overheard their conversation. "Jean," (conversation,)
"Wow," The man exclaimed. "That was the most incredible (TRY - "Wow! the man exclaimed, "That was the most incredible )
"Tower?" The policeman replied. (the)
Who talked you in sir, what was this guy's name?" (TRY - Who talked you in, sir? What was this guy's name?"
"Officer." Came Jean's voice from the other room. "Joe had a young daughter named Kate, didn't he." (TRY - "Officer," came Jean's voice from the other room, "Joe had a young daughter named Kate, didn't he?"
Comment Written 30-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2023
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Many thanks, Barbara. I wrote this years ago, and hopefully my punctuation has improved.
I thought I would republish again to see how it went, I got mostly 6 stars back then, so this site is surely getting tougher!
I've written 3 books since then, but I definitely use Pro editing now.
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I use pro editors too before I publish. Normally three of them, and each one catches something.
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So true. I also use a very good writing critique. Sometimes she will suggest a few ideas that really help by adding something more, or taking it out.
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
Exciting story! I know it was about a year and a half ago, but Congratulations on the first place win! Joe was a friendly ghost, with superpowers -- and without his expert guidance, your pilot and his passengers would have joined him as crash victims. (Yes, I had to refrain from suggesting a few edits, but I didn't, as you wished.) Jorge and I often watch the documentary series "Air Disasters" on the Smithsonian channel (I don't know if you have that in Canada). He's an airplane buff, and he got me interested in watching them -- we like to analyze what happened, with the experts, although we feel sorry to see the crashes that go horribly wrong.
I didn't know that you're a pilot! Even an amateur one -- it's impressive that you've flown a plane. It must be quite a thrill. My husband and I can't even drive a car! But it's interesting to read about flying. I'm glad your story here had a happy ending.
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2021
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Exciting story! I know it was about a year and a half ago, but Congratulations on the first place win! Joe was a friendly ghost, with superpowers -- and without his expert guidance, your pilot and his passengers would have joined him as crash victims. (Yes, I had to refrain from suggesting a few edits, but I didn't, as you wished.) Jorge and I often watch the documentary series "Air Disasters" on the Smithsonian channel (I don't know if you have that in Canada). He's an airplane buff, and he got me interested in watching them -- we like to analyze what happened, with the experts, although we feel sorry to see the crashes that go horribly wrong.
I didn't know that you're a pilot! Even an amateur one -- it's impressive that you've flown a plane. It must be quite a thrill. My husband and I can't even drive a car! But it's interesting to read about flying. I'm glad your story here had a happy ending.
Comment Written 23-Feb-2021
reply by the author on 23-Feb-2021
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Thanks, Mary Haven't flown though since I was in my twenties. Another great series is "Mayday." Look up one episode called the Gimli glider. It has a happy ending. You will love it. I thought of it when I wrote my story.
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You're very welcome, Brad. Even if it's been a long time, at least you had the experience! I will make a note of it, to check out that story, sometime soon. God bless you! - Mary Kay
Comment from Goodadvicechan
It is an interesting story. You need to have some flying knowledge to understand the landing techniques. Even though, it was tense. Very well written.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2020
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It is an interesting story. You need to have some flying knowledge to understand the landing techniques. Even though, it was tense. Very well written.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2020
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Thanks, Chan for your review. I had to use some flying talk, or it wouldn't have seemed real. You're in Vancouver? Great. I just retired and left for the interior. Beautiful city.
Comment from Benshu-bookgai
You have beautifully crafted story that flows seamlessly between dialogue and description. Very quick, clear beats of action balanced by calm transitions, and an ending that succinctly closes out the narrative by tying back to a clue dropped earlier.
I also tend to be unintentionally particular about writing mechanics, and it was a joy to be able to read something start to finish and not have the experience interrupted by glaringly questionable punctuation, grammar or syntax.
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2020
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You have beautifully crafted story that flows seamlessly between dialogue and description. Very quick, clear beats of action balanced by calm transitions, and an ending that succinctly closes out the narrative by tying back to a clue dropped earlier.
I also tend to be unintentionally particular about writing mechanics, and it was a joy to be able to read something start to finish and not have the experience interrupted by glaringly questionable punctuation, grammar or syntax.
Comment Written 19-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 19-Nov-2020
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Thank you 6 times Benshu, you've made my day. As a writer, I couldn't ask for a better review.
Especially from a writer as good as you. I am honored.
Comment from zanya
Suspense so effectively created here and with such a tone of authenticity re flying - a powerful tale and spine-chilling - who knows what else is out there in the ether -has my vote
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2020
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Suspense so effectively created here and with such a tone of authenticity re flying - a powerful tale and spine-chilling - who knows what else is out there in the ether -has my vote
Comment Written 17-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2020
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Thank you Zanya 15 times. Your rating has put the story over the top for recognition. Yes, I want to believe there is a tie in sometimes with coincidence, and the crossing of tragic paths. We can write about it, and somehow it feels real. And who knows, it just might be.
Oh, and thank you for voting for me. You really made my day.
Comment from lancellot
Hmm, an interesting ghost story. You did well with the writing of the accident and the tension of the husband and wife. A host over the radio is a unique concept. I think that will make your story stand out more as it will be new to the readers.
Well done and good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
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Hmm, an interesting ghost story. You did well with the writing of the accident and the tension of the husband and wife. A host over the radio is a unique concept. I think that will make your story stand out more as it will be new to the readers.
Well done and good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 11-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 11-Nov-2020
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Many thanks. Glad you liked it.
Comment from Mary Vigasin
enjoyed this especially the twist at the end. It was unexpected.
Well done tale.
One comment and not really that important. but for someone who always keeps her feet on the ground while i can guess what it is ILS explanation might be helpful and what it does. Not central to the story just helpful. (looked it up myself)
MTV
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2020
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enjoyed this especially the twist at the end. It was unexpected.
Well done tale.
One comment and not really that important. but for someone who always keeps her feet on the ground while i can guess what it is ILS explanation might be helpful and what it does. Not central to the story just helpful. (looked it up myself)
MTV
Comment Written 04-Sep-2020
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2020
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Thank you for your review. I placed the explanation in authors notes at the bottom. It stands for Instrument Landing System. Many small planes don't have it. It locks in on a beacon at an airport and gives the pilot a path to return. But It wouldn't have helped in the story as the ghost airport was abandoned. Of course, the ghost didn't know that.
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I didn't catch it. good work
