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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 22 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 More Than a Novel Dec 09, 2007
By Michael Heck
"Maggie"
Sir: You do Your Signal is Charley a disservice by calling it a novel. It is much more. First, it gave me a close-up feel for the thrills of flying from an aircraft carrier. More, it taught me how to do it. After reading your book, I almost believe I could be a U.S. Navy pilot. The book also gave me a great sense of the feelings a pilot has when he flies into danger on a combat mission. I felt like I was right there in the cockpit with him. It also went a long way towards explaining what a man goes through to earn his wings of gold. I now have great respect for those who wear them. Your book also taught me geography, as it took me around the world to places I had never heard of before: interesting and exciting places like Ouarargla, N'djmena, and Ouagadougou. It took me across Europe, the Far East, and the Mid East, where your descriptions of war-torn Beirut were vivid. Your book taught me history. I was amazed to learn that America lost 19,000 men defending Europe in Belgium's Battle of the Bulge. Our victory there might well have determined the outcome of WW2. You took me to live with you in Saudi Arabia and I learned about the mind of the Muslims. You introduced me to interesting people, people I would never meet in my own world. Finally, you made me see in a new light, our country's engagement in Iraq. I was astounded to read how the UN-run Oil-for-Food program, corrupted by France, Germany, and Russia, allowed, and even assisted, Saddam in re-arming after the first war in the Persian Gulf. You have certainly done your homework. Your book is a wonderful tour of the world and of the minds of those who live in it. I recommend this book very highly to those who are interested in flight, travel, people, and the world they live in. Thank you, sir, for the journey. Maggie
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Flying In Your Blood ? Oct 10, 2007
By Thomas G. Exley
"Meatball1@charter net"
...friend, if you're a pilot - or ever were a pilot - or dreamt of being a pilot, "Your Signal Is Charley" is sheer magic for you. You'll read it -then flip back to page One and start over. I obtained a copy (lucky me) and before I could open it, my wonderful wife grabbed it and I'm still waiting my turn. And my golf buddies - with whom I had discussed it are saying "ME NEXT".
Ron Rypel has seen/done it all. A flying Gypsy...starting with every young pilots dream, U.S. Naval Aviation. It doesn't get better than earning/using those Wings of Gold (no offense, Air Force). On that latter point, I might mention that the Air Force used to carefully select their best single engine pilots and to the pilots great delight, assign them to a Carrier Air Group for a tour of duty. I too was blessed with what it took to wear those Wings of Gold - and met several Air Force transplants and they were worthy of the gold they pinned to their chests...and sad when they walked down the Carrier brow for the last time.
Then, after tours of combat duty in Viet Nam, Ron Rypel left the Navy and entered the wild world of Commercial Aviation. Wait til you read his tales of flying in the Middle East - the Far East - ferrying sheep from Australia ! What a life ! What a career. What a pilot...after finishing "Charley", you'll wish you had flown his wing or right seat...not to mention the adventures ashore. :-))
"Your Signal Is Charley" is your ticket to a couple of evenings of total enjoyment...that is, if flying interests you ???..and if you can get it away from your wife ?
Enjoy - don't miss this one !
Thomas Exley, LT USN (retired)
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Another Pilot's Viewpoint Feb 10, 2010
By E. J. Niemiec
"Surf"
As a former naval aviator and Viet Nam veteran with VF-114 flying off the Kitty Hawk during this same cruise, it was easy to relate to the feelings of other pilots flying in this war. It made you realize that you were not the only one questionuing the sanity of the decisions made by McNamara and Johnson. Great read.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
He Captures it All Jan 11, 2010
By Fritz. Klumpp
"Fritz"
It didn't take me long to realize that Ron was there, onboard the Kittyhawk on Yankee Station in 1965-66. I know because I was there as well, as a F-4 pilot with the Ardvarks, VF-114. Once again, through the words of Ron Rypel, I was able to experience the adrenalin rush of a cat shot on a dark night, as well as the challenge of landing back aboard a pitching deck in a stormy sea following a night armed reconnaisance mission over North Vietnam. I experienced the frustration and heartbreak of fighting a "no win" war that was being micro-managed by a President and Secretary of Defense who didn't have a clue. As a pilot who following Vietnam continued his career with an airline. I can say that Ron very candidly captures that as well. "Your Signal is Charlie" is must read for all Navy pilots, airline pilots, or armchair pilot wannabes. Ron Rypels captures it all.Your Signal is Charley
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Life is better than fiction Jul 17, 2009
By John Holland
My recent travels with my old friend "Harry" brought back many memories of years as a navy carrier pilot as well as some lively insights into commercial aviation as even the old salts won't recognize. His remarkable life experience stories told with humor and candor cover some of the best and the worst of our lives. I rarely read a book that I can't put down - but this was one of them. Let's have another one Ryp!
Jack Holland, CDR, USN (ret)
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