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Cleared for Takeoff

A Pilot's Memoir of Purpose and Resilience After 9/11
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Cleared for Takeoff

By: Captain Nia Gilliam
Narrated by: Nicole Lewis, Captain Nia Gilliam
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In this inspiring memoir, a Black woman pilot leading the way for others shares her journey of fulfilling a lifelong dream to fly—and how she rediscovered her passion in the face of tragedy and adversity.

Captain Nia Gilliam woke up on September 11 ready to soar. Having dreamt of the skies since she was a child, Gilliam grew up believing nothing was out of reach. But what starts as a beautiful day to fly turns into a harrowing experience. While waiting to be cleared for takeoff, Gilliam sees smoke pouring from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. From the co-pilot’s seat, she witnesses United Airlines Flight 175 crash into the South Tower. As the Twin Towers burn, Gilliam summons up the resolve to fly. But as soon as she lands, Gilliam and her dedication to the skies are forever shaken.

Cleared for Takeoff recounts the unforgettable day Gilliam escapes from the chaos of what she witnessed alongside a coming-of-age story of a young woman whose dreams were nurtured. Through it all, Gilliam honors Black aviators such as Bessie Coleman, Janet Harmon Bragg, and the Tuskegee Airmen, who paved the way for her and other pilots. These heroes instilled the confidence in Gilliam to secure a seat where few Black women had a place set for them. Yet as her career reaches new heights, navigating the aftermath of a national tragedy changes air travel forever. And when Gilliam receives shocking personal news, she must reconcile who she is beyond the dream she’s worked so hard for. From her first flight to that fateful day, Captain Nia Gilliam’s journey demonstrates how sacrifice, determination, and love helped her find her way back into the pilot’s seat.

Cleared for Takeoff is Gilliam’s triumphant story of courage, the redemptive power of turning tragedy into purpose, and one woman’s unwavering faith in herself. Women
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Critic reviews

“Cleared for Takeoff is a powerful reflection of a young Black woman who dared to claim space where there was none and who, in the face of tragedy and transformation, found her way back to herself. This book moved me deeply. It is a story of purpose, perseverance, and the enduring power of belief.”—Kamilah Forbes, former executive producer, The Apollo Theater

“Cleared for Takeoff is the deeply personal story of Captain Nia Gilliam, a pilot who navigated both the heights of a glass ceiling–shattering career and the turbulence of a world in crisis. From the chilling silence of the Newark runway on 9/11 to Gilliam’s courageous decision to step away from the pilot’s seat for her own battle for survival, her journey defines resilience. A must-read memoir about purpose, identity, and the strength required to soar when the world feels grounded.”—Amy Marino Spowart, president and CEO, National Aeronautic Association

“For the Black women who followed her as pilots and for all of us in aviation and beyond who know that competence and passion come in so many different forms, you will be inspired, as am I, by Nia and her story.”—Greg Principato, president, FAI World Air Sports Federation
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