Where We Land

A Pilot's Reflections at Altitude

By: Donald Osborn, Anna Henkens Schmidt

Narrated by: Charles Igel

Take off on an unforgettable journey with Donald Osborn, a born storyteller whose life plays out like an adventure across the skies. From his humble beginnings in western Nebraska to navigating the unpredictable world of commercial aviation, Osborn’s career soars from flight instructing to the high-stakes realities of airline life.

But this isn’t just a pilot’s memoir. It’s a collection of wild experiences, from outdated safety protocols and encounters with A-list celebrities to transporting human organs at a moment’s notice. Beyond the cockpit, Osborn dives into entrepreneurial side hustles, flipping houses, trimming trees, and grappling with the turbulence of an unconventional career.

Filled with hard knocks, lucky breaks, and plenty of questionable decisions, Where We Land is a candid, often humorous exploration of resilience and adventure. Buckle up and press play—this is one ride you won’t forget.

©2024, 2025 Donald Osborn and Anna Henkens Schmidt (P)2025 Donald Osborn and Anna Henkens Schmidt

Delightful and Insightful!

While I was expecting, and got, a unique glimpse into the life of a pilot from this book, I was delighted to find so much more. The book is full of wonderful imagery and funny stories, while weaving in vulnerability, insightful takes on the world, and life lessons. The writing is captivating, and the narration is fantastic.

Story, history, and comedy in one book about flying

In Where We Land by Anna Schmidt, I love how she weaves together the personal narrative of Donald’s journey to become an airplane pilot with fascinating historical details and a good dose of wit and wisdom sprinkled throughout. The book clearly breaks down the flight industry and explains various SOPs, offering an insider’s perspective. Donald also describes how organ donations are transported by air and how post-9/11 changes to the flight industry reshaped the entire process. An extra bonus is learning about all the famous figures Donald has met throughout his career as a pilot. The audible reader was excellent!