Strap in for this thrilling true-to-life account of thedangerous career of bootlegging pilot Chuck Stewart. From his home base in McAllen,Texas, Chuck flew to clandestine strips all over Mexico—mostly in twin-engine DC-3 and Beech18 aircraft—and battled everythingfrom treacherous weather and mechanical failures to unexpected duck attacks andunfriendly fire from the Mexican Federales. Along the way, he ferriedelectronic equipment, desperate patients seeking medical care, VHS tapes, andother goods across the border—everything but drugs, a line he refused to cross.Through his remembrances of a high-stakes career, Chuck offers readers aninside look into the dangers, adventures, and rewards of smuggling badly neededsupplies as a member of the “South of the Border Club.”
Chuck’s dramatic account includes pulling his copilot out ofa downed plane before it burst into flames, maneuvering in the dead of night oncactus-filled runways, outracing authorities in his trusty Five Seven Sugar,and more. This is not just a recounting of perilous flights and gallant deeds—itis a glimpse at one man’s life that was rich with family, friendship, faith,and the unique camaraderie that can only be found among these unconventionalaviators. Smuggler’s Flight is a vivid portrait of what it means to livelife to the fullest on the edge of the law.
