New Book Details Early Barnstorming Days of Saudi Aviation

OSHKOSH, Wis., July 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Legendary American pilot Captain Joe Grant will appear at the Oshkosh Air Show to debut the book "King Abdulaziz... His Plane and His Pilot," by Dr. Michael Saba, which chronicles Capt. Grant's experiences flying the DC-3 for the Saudi Royal family during the 1940s.

The book, which will be released as a special collector's edition at the air show, highlights the historic meeting between HRH King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in February of 1945. Just two days after the death of President Roosevelt in April of 1945, Colonel William Eddy, the American minister in Saudi Arabia, presented the King with the DC-3 aircraft, a gift from President Roosevelt himself.

Captain Joe Grant, a World War II veteran and pilot for TWA, accepted the job as the King's pilot soon afterwards. Grant, who recently celebrated his 101st birthday, will be present at the air show to offer a rare, first-hand account of his exceptional story and his role as personal pilot to the King and his family. He recalls that flying for the King in Saudi Arabia reminded him of his "old barnstorming days," with few air strips and fewer navigational tools. Capt. Grant, who earned the nickname "Crazy Pilot," will make several appearances during the air show to share his experiences with the DC-3 and the Saudi Royal family, beginning Monday evening, July 27, at the opening of the "Theater in the Woods" presentation, which features historical figures in the field of aviation.

"Joe Grant is truly a remarkable man," said Dr. Michael Saba, author of the book. "Not only did he play a remarkable role in the birth of aviation in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, but he is part of aviation history itself."

On Thursday afternoon, July 30, Capt. Grant, Saba, the grandson of King Abdulaziz, HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman, and the grandson of President Franklin Roosevelt, Delano Roosevelt, will recreate history when they fly into Center Stage at Oshkosh in a replica of the original DC-3. That evening the men will also be featured at the show's Grand Banquet, the "Gathering of Eagles," an annual event sponsored by Cessna Aircraft that focuses on aviation youth and humanitarian efforts.

Through words and rare photographs, "King Abdulaziz... His Plane and His Pilot" chronicles the story of President Roosevelt's gift of the DC-3, which represented the best of American technology, to King Abdulaziz as a symbol of friendship.  

The book features a special foreword written by Prince Sultan bin Salman, himself a pilot and astronaut. Grant, along with author Dr. Michael Saba, will be on hand throughout the show to sign copies of the book and speak to the media.

AUTHOR MICHAEL SABA

"King Abdulaziz... His Plane and His Pilot" is Dr. Michael Saba's third published book. Michael Saba has more than 40 years of experience in Middle East relations. He lived in Saudi Arabia, and consulted businesses there, for more than three decades.  As the former president of GulfAmerica, an international business and health services company, Dr. Saba facilitated trade between the United States and the Arab Gulf.