Have you ever met a female commercial pilot? It's a rare experience and one that we were able to have as we discussed Beryl Markham's memoir West With the Night, with special guest and pilot Lola Reid Allin. In this episode of Reality Raincheck , we take to the skies with two extraordinary aviators—one from history and one from our own time. We dive into West with the Night , Beryl Markham's lyrical memoir of pioneering aviation and life in colonial Africa, and discuss its striking omissions—what she chose to include, and what she left out. Markham, the first person to fly solo east to west across the Atlantic, offers a poetic yet enigmatic account of her adventures, raising questions about authorship, past lovers, and the untold stories behind her words. Joining us is our special guest, pilot and author Lola Reid Allin, whose memoir Highway to the Sky captures the exhilaration and solitude of flying, as well as the resilience required to carve out a space in a male-dominated industry. Through her firsthand experiences as a pilot, she offers insight into what Markham's airborne freedom might have truly felt like—the mix of precision, fear, and sheer wonder that comes with being alone in the cockpit. But beyond the thrill of flight, Lola's story is one of perseverance against incredible odds. She not only broke barriers in aviation but also overcame the personal struggles of an abusive first marriage, finding her own path to independence and strength in the skies. Lola's journey underscores the importance of representation in aviation and her mission to serve as the role model she never had, inspiring young women to see themselves in the cockpit. Together, we explore the narrative gaps in Markham's memoir, and the timeless allure of flight as both a literal and literary journey. Strap in for a discussion where history, adventure, and personal experience converge at cruising altitude.
