Just Off the Ground: Recollections of an Early Aviator By Carl Recknagel. Relive the early days of aviation with Captain Carl "Reck" Recknagel. In this first-hand account, he describes his many experiences in flight training: at March Field, California, in the mid-1920's, flying PT-3s and DH-4s, and in Kelly Field, Texas with the Army Air Corps attack flyers. He also tells of his assignment to the Third Attack Group at Fort Crockett, Texas, flying Curtiss Falcon A-3s. He finished second in the Patrick Trophy race in 1930, and had a Depression-era stint at Johnson Flying Service in Ohio, where the "fleet" included a Curtiss Pusher, and Aeronca, a Wright J-5 Waco, a J-5 Travelair, and a Kinner Bird. Reading this book is like sitting around the dinner table listening to your great-uncle tell stories.
