Publisher Description

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 — untilKen 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 AustraliaSilva 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. 

Author Biography

Silva Mcleod was born on the small Tongan island of Vava'u. With the encouragement of Ken, her Australian husband, she trained to become the first Tongan female airline pilot, working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and eventually flying B777 jets around the world.

Table of Contents

Part 1 – ContentsPrologue – Be My Voice1. How We Crossed Paths2. Courtship3. The Proposals4. Wedding of Two Cultures5. Wife, a Different Life6. End of the Project7. Bon Voyage8. The Promised Land9. Finding My Niche in His World10. A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed11. 'Elisapesi – Gift of God12. New Identity13. Temaleti – Goddess of the Sea14. Token of My Love15. Home Coming16. The Checkout Chick17. Powerless Without You18. Post tenebras lux – Light after DarknessPart 2 – Contents19. Health and a New Era20. Love Affair that Defies Gravity21. Spreading My Wings22. A Dream Comes True23. The Fear and Pain of Being Apart24. The Gift of a Second Chance25. Returning to the Sky26. Royal Flying Doctor Service27. The Virgin Granny28. Tell Death I'm Not Ready29. Save the Last Supper for Me30. Liva, I am Tired31. Flying Solo32. Until We Meet again33. 'Ofa'anga Folau a – Smooth Sailing my LoveEpilogue – My Wings have been Clipped

Review

"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
"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 *
'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 *
"Such a wonderful inspiration for girls everywhere" -- Holly Branson * Chief Purpose & Vision Officer at Virgin and Chair of Virgin United *
"In episode 101 of AFF on Air, Matt talks to Silva McLeod about the inspiring journey that took her from a small island in the Pacific to the cockpit of an international airline – flying over the Pacific." * Australian Frequent Flyer Podcast *
"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 *
"Wonderful to see Virgin Australia pilot Silva McLeod has published a book about her remarkable life – from a young girl on a small island in Tonga, to a pilot flying for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Virgin Family. Congratulations Silva." * Richard Branson *
"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 *
"She grew up in an island hut with no running water or electricity. Now she's a pilot" -- Lilit Marcus
"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 *
"The inspiring story of the first Tongan woman to become an airline pilot is one of courage, determination and heartbreak" * Vacations and Travel 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 *

Long Description

"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 -- untilKen 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."

Feature

What does it take for a poor rural Tongan girl to achieve her dream of becoming a pilot? Find out in her uplifting story.

Description for Sales People

* A love story across cultures. * A story of achievement against the odds written to inspire others facing barriers. * A unique South Pacific voice and point of view.

Description for Press or Other Media

This is the life story of Silva Mcleod, the first Tongan woman to become an airline pilot. She's still one of only a handful. Told by Silva with frankness and wit, it's quite a story. Silva takes us on a journey of cultural change from her beginnings as a poor island girl to her marriage to an Australian. 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.

Details