Official Review: Your Signal is Charley by Ron Rypel

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 11 Jun 2017, 02:17

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Your Signal is Charley" by Ron Rypel.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Your Signal is Charley by Ron Rypel is a book about the life and times and loves of Harry Ferguson, Navy pilot for 12 years and later, an airline pilot for 25 years more. The story begins with Harry as a nugget (new Navy pilot) and contains his adventures (and misadventures) as experienced from the cockpit throughout his years of flying.

The novel relates his near-brushes with death as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam war and those of his squadron-mates, as well as the many laughs (fiascoes during take-offs, drunken times on off-days, or just the banter of stressed men during their R and R moments) he shares with his shipmates aboard the aircraft carriers. There are likewise the poignant stories of comrades lost while on dangerous bombing missions or upon failing to make proper landings on the carriers. Harry eventually quits the Navy as he realizes that his life is not worth the no-win Rules of Engagement insisted on by the higher authorities.

In his early years working as an airline pilot, Harry goes through the ordeals inherent in working for start-up airline companies. There are occasions of unauthorized landings as necessary papers are not secured, inexperienced navigators who make the flight more difficult, inadequate money to pay the crew’s expenses while on layovers, and other mishaps. He also has unforgettable adventures flying animals to their destinations. He has humorous stories about ferrying Muslim pilgrims from Africa to Jeddah and back. One group lights a burner to brew tea inside the cabin and another brings in huge appliances into the cabin as carry-on luggage.

His years with Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) are fraught with disappointments with his Saudi peers and superiors, as he finds them unreliable and unfairly protective of their own countrymen. Saudia eventually terminates his contract and he joins Air Malta.

In the midst of all the flying escapades, Harry manages to have several dalliances and three major love affairs. The entertaining narration of each of these romances adds to the novel's appeal.

According to the author himself, the novel is best described as autobiographical fiction. Most of the stories are based on his life, with a little embellishment here and there.

Ron Rypel is a talented storyteller and he gives a wonderful account of Harry’s experiences that reads like an inspired travelogue. He takes us to several destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The many places Harry visits are described in picturesque detail, from the sights to behold and the food and drinks to relish to the pitfalls that tourists should avoid. The pertinent chapters are labeled with the names of the places visited so travelers can use the book as a handy reference.

The organization of the novel is cleverly done. The book begins with a dedication to those who fly, especially those who have fallen while taking on the challenge of flight. A poem by a fallen pilot is quoted in full and allows the reader to remember all such heroes. The other sections at the beginning (About the Author, Synopsis, and Author’s Notes) give the reader a good overview of the book. Even the chapter titles add to the anticipation and facilitate going back to the pages one might want to read again. The reader is taken to the Navy missions and tourist destinations alternately, so the reader would not succumb to depression with a barrage of war stories. Many of the travel chapters leave you with a hearty chuckle. The inclusion of pictures of the author and his family and those of Navy personnel and the various ladies the author met in his travels is a nice touch. Finally, the title Your Signal is Charley is nostalgic as it is the verbal signal radioed to a Navy pilot telling him that he should land his aircraft at once.

The characters in the novel are adequately fleshed out and many are unforgettable, including the vivacious Navy pilot Jack Rooney, the creative airline owner Thor, and the alluring Norwegian stewardess Astrid. The thorough description of the characters makes them relatable and the reader has a merry time guessing how they would react to the various situations at hand. Many of the characters will remain with the reader long after the final chapter is read.

Much as I enjoyed the book overall, there were chapters that I found dragging, especially those where the author got carried away explaining technical matters. These included procedures during the catapult launch of aircraft, carrier ship landings, determining optimum fuel load, and techniques in dropping bombs. These discussions tended to go on and on. It felt like reading the Navy’s flight operations manual.

There were also a number of grammatical and spelling lapses, including the following: The name Ava "Gardener" was used for the actress Ava Gardner. Pilot Owens was called "Owns" one time. A romantic line lost its magic when it ended with the words "when I'm you with you" and bribe money was "discretely" hidden. These minor flaws, however, did not detract from the engaging storyline.

I believe the book will find many happy readers in avid travelers, pilots (and those who dream of flying planes), lovers of history and stories about the Vietnam war, and those who enjoy autobiographical accounts. Those looking for gory details will be disappointed as there are none in this book. However, there are some explicit love scenes which may not be appropriate for the very young.

In summary, I give the book 3 out of 4 stars. The good organization, entertaining storytelling, and helpful travel tips make this an enjoyable read and one that a reader will want to go back to. Trimming the superfluous technical details and correcting the minor editorial flaws will raise the novel's rating to 4 stars.

To those who will accept the invitation to ride with Ron Rypel, I wish you all a happy trip!

******
Your Signal is Charley
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DaizyN · Post by **DaizyN** » 28 Jun 2017, 05:54

I love this. I'll give it 3 out of 4 stars

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 28 Jun 2017, 07:02

I hope you can read the book in full, DaizyN. You will find many interesting tourist stories. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Welcome to OBC too. I know you will have great fun here. See you in the forums!

Post by **kandscreeley** » 28 Jun 2017, 07:31

It sounds like a fairly interesting book. It's not really up my alley, but I know some would enjoy it. I find it interesting that the author calls it autobiographical fiction. Makes me wonder what he's embellished. Thanks for the review.

Kelebogile Mbangi · Post by **Kelebogile Mbangi** » 28 Jun 2017, 07:38

I'm glad it has no gory details. I've never read a book about the experiences and adventures of a pilot, let alone one written by a pilot. It sounds quite interesting, I hate technical descriptions that go on and on though, they tend to make a book dry. Thanks for the review

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 28 Jun 2017, 07:58

kandscreeley wrote:It sounds like a fairly interesting book. It's not really up my alley, but I know some would enjoy it. I find it interesting that the author calls it autobiographical fiction. Makes me wonder what he's embellished. Thanks for the review.

Exactly my thoughts (the embellishments, that is). If you love traveling, this book can be a handy guide, especially for the exotic places described. The anecdotes were quite humorous.

Thanks for reading and commenting kandscreely!

-- 28 Jun 2017, 08:07 --

Kelebogile Mbangi wrote:I'm glad it has no gory details. I've never read a book about the experiences and adventures of a pilot, let alone one written by a pilot. It sounds quite interesting, I hate technical descriptions that go on and on though, they tend to make a book dry. Thanks for the review

If you have the chance to get a copy, skip the technical stuff. I think it is there to humor pilot readers. But the stories, especially the tourist stories, are a riot.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kelebogile Mbangi!

MrsCatInTheHat · Post by **MrsCatInTheHat** » 28 Jun 2017, 08:45

I love it when a storyteller can really make you feel the places they are taking you to in the story. It sounds like this author does that well.

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 28 Jun 2017, 08:55

CatInTheHat wrote:I love it when a storyteller can really make you feel the places they are taking you to in the story. It sounds like this author does that well.

Yes indeed. The author has vivid memories of his journeys which he generously shares.

Thanks for the interest, CatInTheHat!

Rosemary Okoko · Post by **Rosemary Okoko** » 28 Jun 2017, 13:04

I've never had the chance to read a pilot story. From what i gather in this review, it's a very interesting story. I like it that the author is telling us his own story though some part of it is fiction. Nice review.

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 28 Jun 2017, 13:49

Rosemary Okoko wrote:I've never had the chance to read a pilot story. From what i gather in this review, it's a very interesting story. I like it that the author is telling us his own story though some part of it is fiction. Nice review.

This pilot can really write, Rosemary. I hope.you can find time for his many stories. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

spreadlove · Post by **spreadlove** » 01 Jul 2017, 02:34

I always wanted to read a good tourist story and after reading your reviews, I think I have found one. I think you have done a wonderful job in reviewing telling all the wrongs with the book so that the next reader stays prepared for it.

Love,
R

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 01 Jul 2017, 02:45

Hi spreadlove. You won't regret diving into this book. Do tell me how you find it. Bon voyage!

Lee Stone · Post by **Lee Stone** » 09 Jul 2017, 09:00

Gracious in its acknowledgements, honest in its criticism, this was a model review. Potential readers learn all they need to know, while the author gains critical editorial insight. Everyone wins. Thank you, Miriam.