Promotional Information

A beautifully crafted and very personal tour of the history of homebuilt aircraft, in a manner reminiscent of the character Forrest Gump. Each step of learning to fly, growing as a family within the military, and the dream of setting a long distance record is woven into the evolution of homebuilt aircraft. That propeller under the bed moves this story forward in ways that make it an essential read for aviation enthusiasts and homebuilders young or old. -- Terry Lutz, experimental test pilot and RV-8 builder, who brought the Airbus A380 to Oshkosh in 2009 The Propeller Under the Bed is a fun and inspiring story. Eileen masterfully weaves together her perspective as an aeronautical engineer and an 'insider' of the homebuilt movement with her father's dream to design, build, and fly a world-record setting aircraft. And she tells it all in the larger context of the history of aviation. A must read for aviation enthusiasts everywhere! -- Charlie Precourt, retired NASA Chief Astronaut and EAA Vice Chairman Bjorkman does a good job of weaving a thoughtful and interesting history of the homebuilt aircraft movement into the more personal account of her father's flying career. -- Russell Lee, Chair, Aeronautics Department, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution A wonderfully compelling book. The Propeller under the Bed makes a large contribution to the aviation community. -- W. Scott Olsen, author of Never Land: Adventures, Wonder, and One World Record in a Very Small Plane

Table of Contents

1. The Flight

2. The Pilot’s Rock

3. Death Knell

4. Sprouting Wings

5. Foundations

6. The Dream Begins

7. Stagnation

8. Holding Pattern

9. Young Aviation Turks

10. Colleen’s Cub

11. Doldrums

12. Seeping in Seattle

13. Where’s Dad?

Epilogue

About the Author

Eileen Bjorkman is a writer, pilot, and retired U.S. Air Force flight test engineer.