News
dawn.com16.Aug.2009
Air Commodore S. Sajad Haider's book 'Flight of the Falcon' reviewed in 'Books & Authors' section of DAWN newspaper's August 16, 2009 edition.
A fighter pilot’s tale
Reviewed by Shuja Nawaz
PILOTS are a special breed and fighter pilots are extra special, with their own tribal and behavioral characteristics that set them apart. The nearest the army has to them is the old cavalry,
now the armour, officer. The jaunty-angled cap, silk scarves, special boots, and even the way they stand. The fighter pilot’s stance is more often than not hands on hips, arms akimbo, leaning
slightly forward.
The cavalry officer leans back on one heel while the other leg is extended, with knee slightly bent, tapping the heel on the ground, much like a steed raring for action and seeking
attention. Élan, joie de vivre, ebullience, and bravado come to kind when writing about
fighter pilots. Their war stories are colourful and graphic. But very few have learnt to tell these stories on paper without losing the reader with unnecessary detail.
A decorated war veteran, S. Sajad Haider epitomises the fighter jock but boy can he tell a tale! As someone who grew up on a rich diet of military history and biographies, including stories of
dogfights in World War I, when dogfights first entered the lexicon, I can say that parts of Haider’s book will take your breath away. His fighting scenes are cinematographic, not surprising for a fan
of John Wayne’s movie Jet Pilot, and they virtually put you in the cockpit as he cannon
balls to and from his mission. He gives you enough detail to make the experience vivid but not enough to bore you to death. These scenes make this among the best stories written by a fighter
pilot.
Read more --
17.May.2009
Anjum Niaz writes a review on 'Flight of the Falcon'
A well known freelance journalist, Anjum exposes the meat on Sajad's recently launched book. Below is an excerpt from her fiery article for an even more fiery book
‘Group Captain, give me your Swiss bank account number,’ the vice president of a Fortune 40 company asks Sajad Haider, Pakistan’s air attaché at Washington DC in the 70s. ‘Get out of my office,’ Sajad tells the American. ’I’ll have your company black-listed.’ Sajad kicks up such a ruckus that the president of that company comes running on bended knees. He fires his VP for offering the bribe.
16.May.2009
Shireen M. Mazari, a well-known strategic analyst, writes her review on 'Flight of the Falcon'
When the mainstream biographies by civil and military bureaucrats in Pakistan tend to be tedious rationalisations of their stay in the corridors of power, including military dictatorships, Air Commodore Sajad Haider's book, "Flight of the Falcon" breaks this mode. Newly launched by Vanguard Books, it is a most fascinating study of not only Haider's interesting and adventurous life but also of the Pakistan Air Force itself. Sajad Haider has always been outspoken with a "no-holds barred" approach to life and his life story reflects this most vividly, with his near-death encounters while flying as well as his turbulent times fighting against an unjust court martial which eventually exonerated him. Interesting anecdotes abound in the book reflecting different facets of Haider's life in the PAF – including his run-in with the Shah of Iran in Washington, his unfulfilled true love and other amusing flirtatious encounters.
10.May.2009
Debut Launch of the much anticipated
Flight of the Falcon
'Story of a Fighter Pilot'
by S Sajad Haider
Islamabad May 16, 2009
By invitation only
15.March.2009
S Sajad Haider interviewed on Samaa TV's Sunday special entitled 'Achievers'
'Achievers' is a journey of individual lives. We focus on the probability of learning from experiences and ideals. We focus on reaching out to the nation in particular with a message that each one of us is as unique as the spirit of attainment of that survives within.
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