Smuggler's Flight

Strap in for this thrilling true-to-life account of the dangerous 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 Beech 18 aircraft—and battled everything from treacherous weather and mechanical failures to unexpected duck attacks and unfriendly fire from the Mexican Federales. Along the way, he ferried electronic equipment, desperate patients seeking medical care, VHS tapes, and other goods across the border—everything but drugs, a line he refused to cross. Through his remembrances of a high-stakes career, Chuck offers readers an inside look into the dangers, adventures, and rewards of smuggling badly needed supplies as a member of the “South of the Border Club.”

Smuggler’s Flight is a vivid portrait of what it means to live life to the fullest on the edge of the law. Chuck’s dramatic account includes pulling his copilot out of a downed plane before it burst into flames, maneuvering in the dead of night on cactus-filled runways, outracing authorities in his trusty Five Seven Sugar, and more. This is not just a recounting of perilous flights and gallant deeds—it is 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 unconventional aviators.