Take Off!

How does a nearsighted, acrophobic, boy next door become an airline pilot and leader at some of the world's most successful airlines? The answer to this question and more is revealed in "TAKE OFF! 21 High-Flying Secrets for Career Success."

This clever, funny, collection of stories describes the qualities successful people share, some of the challenges they have faced and what they learned from them. While a few of the stories are about the author, most are about the innovative, brilliant and famous people he met who left an inspirational mark -- including Sully Sullenberger, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson.

Find out how you can learn from them, too.

Stephen A. Forte is a pilot, aviation executive, entrepreneur, author, speaker, educator, movie producer, and aviation consultant. He started his career at United Airlines flying regularly scheduled flights, eventually transitioning to various management roles, ultimately becoming the senior vice president of Flight Operations and director of Operations, responsible for all aspects of United's worldwide flight operations. Forte helped lead the airline through many challenges, including the terrorist attacks on 9/11. He later served as CEO of aviation tech start-up Naverus, Inc. and chief operating officer for Virgin America Airlines until it was acquired by Alaska Air Group. He has flown over 50 airplane models to almost every corner of the world and is currently vice president of training for a major airline. Forte's expertise goes beyond aviation. He is executive producer of the movie Under the Eiffel Tower, starring Matt Walsh and Judith Godreche. A frequent speaker, Forte has addressed a variety of industry groups and given motivational speeches at colleges and universities.