Yardarm and Cockpit Softcover

I have read and reread this book, concentrating heavily on the Yardarm section as I was married to Leo Devitt who sailed with Dave on the Yankee after they became friends in Bakersfield, CA. It has been wonderful "reliving" the great stories and adventures told to me and shared by Dave and Leo J. Dave's book is a great read whether we have a mutual friend or not. I am not only drawn to the nautical aspect of this memoir but am also joyfully appreciative of his experiences flying and his unique storytelling prowess as he relates his "Cockpit" chills, laughs and thrills. The closest I came to seeing Dave was in 1964. He was flying over my sister-in-law Dee's home in Bakersfield when he called the house phone while tipping his wings for the kids to see. It seems all the kids were crazy about him. and you will be too. Reading this book is like a visit with an old friend and you don't have to know him to feel the warmth and humor within the pages. Thank you for a life well lived and related, Dave. Your friend Leo would be most proud of you. My children's lives have been enriched by your written word and the Great Spirit.

I am an avid and accomplished reader of nonfiction and fictional stories as well as historical and scientific subjects. It has been a joyful and wondrous experience to move through David Allyn's portrayal of his 60 some odd years of life on the sea and in the air. It has also been hard for me to put the book down. Mr. Allyn's ability to portray, in detail and living color, such an exceptional lifetime of first hand experiences on the sea and in the air is rendered realistically and on numerous occasions,artfully. I must mention there are remarkable characters one will meet along the way of this great read.

I am personal friends with the author, and was leery, having been disappointed before by others . I Haven't been thisimpressed by ANY author in memory I had heard a few of the stories before, but this a life's work, and it is spectacular !! DO NOT MISS IT !!The best,most entertaining and riveting book I've read in years !!

Some people talk about living their dream and some go out and find a way to make it happen. Dave Allyn went out into the world and found a way to make it happen. On the sea and in the air, he pursued his dream. Good or bad he kept his course. This is a very well written book by a first time author. I thoroughly enjoyed the informal style of his writing and the flow of his life story. It is a story told honestly and directly, warts and all. I have known Dave for a number of years but never knew his history until this book was published, only snippets here and there. I believe that anyone can pick up this book and find an enjoyable read. Strongly recommend it. He is also one hell of a good pilot as well.Guy Jones, ABQ, N.M.

I am so glad David wrote this book for his grandchildren. So they would know the kind of man their grandfather is. If you love adventure and expanding your horizons. If you admire the spirit of the adventurer and you respect the awesome beauty of this planet we live on. Then this is the book for you. David has written about the places he has been and the people he has met, telling the stories of his adventures around the globe on land sea and air. His prose is simple and from the heart, making the stories compelling and thoroughly enjoyable. I found myself laughing out loud several times. As a pilot myself, I have always had a deep admiration for the aviators of David's generation. They were the pioneers of the time, building a post war aviation industry that brought everyone in the world a little closer. Thank you David, I know your grandchildren will be proud of you.

This book is more than a highly entertaining account of one man's lifetime of adventures. It could be an inspiration and even a roadmap for the reader to have a few of his own. When I started learning to fly in the late fifties, the process was 85% flying (stick and rudder skills) and 15% BS. (not stick and rudder skills) Solo usually came about in around eight hours. Sadly, today's would-be pilot trainee is most likely to encounter a process that is 15% flying and 85% BS with solo happening in around fifteen to twenty hours.This book could inspire one to seek out training in a taildragger and to make the effort to learn where he can do so. It still can be done but not at 90% of most schools. This book could be a primer for a newbie to break out on a path to his own adventures. In any case, Yardarm and Cockpit is a MUST READ.

Dave Allyn's real life adventures are exhilarating. I found his descriptions of the people and places in his life to be heartfelt and genuine. He is a great storyteller and I just couldn't wait to read the next chapter. Also, I'm sure that any sailor, diver or pilot could use these words as a instruction manual because he is so precise. Thank you, Mr. Allyn, for allowing us to take a peek into your life.

This book is amazing, I really enjoyed reading David's book, and the adventures about his scuba diving, flying and sailing keep you spellbound. I recommend this book to anybody that enjoys adventure. I met david last year and he is a very interesting and down to earth person. Read his book, you will not be disappointed.

The author has a way of spinning adventure tails, first his trip around the world in a vintage masted sailing ship and then all his flying adventures, that made me feel as though I were living the adventures first hand. I loved how he introduced me to all the friendlies he met whether sailing, scuba diving, flying and even skydiving. It seemed to me that he has flown just about every propeller plane there is. I just loved it and am recommending it to my kids and friends. He is truly a fearless adventurer and I'm thrilled to have been able to partake in it.

GOOD QUALITY, GOOD PRICE, GOOD VALUE

Good read, Good story

Thanks Dave!!!

Being x-Navy and a pilot myself I found Mr. Allyn's story of all of his adventures absolutely amazing and his book was so well writtenthat it had you looking forward to reading about his next adventure. I really enjoyed this book because of how much detail Mr. Allynput into each of his stores, what a life he was blessed with to have experienced so much.

An excellent story of an adventurer who traveled the world under sail and in the air to find adventure and excitement. a unique comparison of the excitement, thrills, challenges and dangers of each life. The author experienced many things all of us wish we could do. I highly recommend this book. Sailors and pilots will enjoy it at many levels.

A must read for most pilots and even those who's major involvement with airplanes involves waiting in security lines. Very enjoyable read about a fascinating guy. Quite the adventure!