Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
This is the incredible story of Silva Mcleod, the first Tongan woman to become an airline pilot, told with frankness and wit by Silva herself.
Silva was a Tongan girl from a small island with little hope of anything beyond getting married and having babies. Her dreams of becoming an airline pilot seemed just that — dreams — until
Ken McLeod came into Silva’s life. He was an Australian hired to build a hospital on her island of Vava‘u. She started dating him despite frowns from her family. After a whirlwind romance, they got married in a traditional Tongan ceremony before moving to Australia
Silva faced challenges in Australia as a woman of color. Then came the biggest challenge of all — Ken was diagnosed with cancer. He said to Silva, ‘Do you still want to fly? Life is too short, if you have a dream, go for it.’
There were many barriers to succeeding in such a male-dominated field, but Silva refused to give in. She became the first Tongan female airline pilot and worked for the Royal Flying Doctor Service amongst other small airlines then Virgin International, flying B777s around the world.
With every new height Silva reached in her career, Ken’s struggle with cancer continued. Despite the hardships, Silva is sure she would dare to do it all over again. Dare to love a white man and dare to pursue her dream to go from island girl to airline pilot.
-Richard Branson
“The inspiring story of the first Tongan woman to become an airline pilot is one of courage, determination and heartbreak”
- Vacations and Travel Magazine
“This pioneering grandmother flew through the glass ceiling when she found her wings, and continues to make the most from life’s opportunities and challenges.”
-Dare Magazine
“She grew up in an island hut with no running water or electricity. Now she’s a pilot”
-Lilit Marcus, CNN online
“A poignant story you will enjoy. It is filled with courage, perseverance, adventure, success, family photographs and most of all love and respect”
-School Days Magazine
As a 17-year-old Tongan girl, I believe every school should acquire this memoir for all students to understand the life of a Tongan women. This memoir could positively influence the life of another Polynesian student, because there aren’t many books out there written about us island girls but let me just say that after reading this memoir I have developed a new outlook on my own future thanks to Silva’s story.”
-Reading Time
“Told with frankness and a selective photo album, the challenges of pursuing a flying career and its impact on her family are set against the backdrop of the love story of her life with her husband and his battle with cancer.”
-Public Service News
“Such a wonderful inspiration for girls everywhere”
-Holly Branson, Chief Purpose & Vision Officer at Virgin and Chair of Virgin United
‘Told by Silva with frankness and wit, she takes us on a journey of cultural change. … challenges of pursuing a flying career and its impact on her family are set against the backdrop of the love story of her life with her husband and his battle with cancer.”
-Good Reading
“An epic story of love, and heartbreak and family and sacrifice. One of the most moving reads you will have in a long time”
-ABC Weekends with Andrea Gibbs
“Silva McLeod had always dreamed of flying. Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and with the unwavering support of her husband Ken, Silva braved social and cultural barriers to become the first Tongan female airline pilot. She shares her amazing story in her memoir Island Girl to Airline Pilot..”
-Mindful Puzzles Magazine
Part 1 – Contents
Prologue – Be My Voice
1. How We Crossed Paths
2. Courtship
3. The Proposals
4. Wedding of Two Cultures
5. Wife, a Different Life
6. End of the Project
7. Bon Voyage
8. The Promised Land
9. Finding My Niche in His World
10. A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
11. ‘Elisapesi – Gift of God
12. New Identity
13. Temaleti – Goddess of the Sea
14. Token of My Love
15. Home Coming
16. The Checkout Chick
17. Powerless Without You
18. Post tenebras lux – Light after Darkness
Part 2 – Contents
19. Health and a New Era
20. Love Affair that Defies Gravity
21. Spreading My Wings
22. A Dream Comes True
23. The Fear and Pain of Being Apart
24. The Gift of a Second Chance
25. Returning to the Sky
26. Royal Flying Doctor Service
27. The Virgin Granny
28. Tell Death I’m Not Ready
29. Save the Last Supper for Me
30. Liva, I am Tired
31. Flying Solo
32. Until We Meet again
33. ‘Ofa‘anga Folau a – Smooth Sailing my Love
Epilogue – My Wings have been Clipped