Jet Pioneer: A Fighter Pilot\u2019s Memoir

Let me introduce you to Major General Carl G. Schneider, U.S. Air Force (Ret.).

General Schneider started life as a West Texas farm boy, who from the age of nine was determined to become a fighter pilot. In his book “Jet Pioneer: A Fighter Pilot’s Memoir” we follow along through the ups and downs of his journey that takes him from his humble, yet noble beginnings through the realization of that dream. We’re there with him as he enlists in the then U.S. Army Air Force as a Private and sees the birth of the U.S. Air Force as it becomes its own military branch in 1947. Through his career he was there when the new Air Force discarded most of the Army regulations and began anew, with a fresh start to become, through trial, error and eventual success the outstanding service organization that it is today. Much of that success is thanks to people like Carl Schneider who rose amazingly through the ranks from an enlisted Private all the way up to a Two Star General. Along that incredible journey he was fortunate to fly some amazing aircraft and work side by side with some equally amazing people. He started his flight training with the first Cadet class to assemble after World War Two. Beginning flight training in the historic two seat T-6 Texan and moving from there to the iconic single seat P-51 Mustang. Later, he checked out in some of the first jet powered fighters like the F-84B, which happened to be a single seater. Back then, the “check out” went something like this: “Son, you know how to fly airplanes, in this one, the stick does basically the same thing, pull back, the houses get smaller, push forward, the houses get bigger. The big difference is here, that’s the throttle, push it forward and things get really loud, pull it back and things get really quiet. Understand? Good. Here’s the jet, go fly!” If you came back alive, you were now qualified as a jet fighter pilot.

I asked General Schneider about his favorite airplane, with no hesitation he said, “The F-86, it’s like putting on a fine pair of gloves”. I can only dream what it was like to strap on that airplane, but his writing and stories give me a pretty good idea!

Throughout his career he had many mentors and quite possibly played that role in many who worked with him or followed in his footsteps. A couple of notable people I’ll mention is the Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who has been a lifelong friend of General Schneider’s since they were both assigned as F-86 instructor pilots at Nellis AFB. I’ll let you read about it yourself but it’s amazing what a sincere suggestion, support and encouragement can do for one’s life journey. Another person who was lucky enough to cross paths with the General is George W. Bush, our 43rd President. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and a flight student in the late 1960’s. Future President Bush’s Wing Commander and occasional instructor pilot was none other than General Schneider himself!

There are just too many stories to go into here and I’ll leave the book to speak for itself, I don’t want to spoil all of the good parts!

I was honored to have a lengthy conversation with General Schneider and to speak with him is as easy as talking to an old friend. He’s an amazing person who is living history. I strongly recommend his book, both as the easy ride of interesting entertainment that reading it is, as well as a look into an underserved part of American history - the Korean War and the Vietnam War, both of which Major General Carl G. Schneider lived.

His books are available at Amazon.com as well as major book sellers such as Barnes and Noble.

For further information, his website is www.jetpioneer.com

He is also available for speaking engagements.