Thomas Block is an accomplished author best known for his aviation-themed novels, many of which have achieved international bestseller status. His writing career began with the publication of "Mayday" in 1979, which he later co-rewrote with novelist Nelson DeMille in 1998. The novel was adapted into a CBS Movie of the Week in 2005. Among his other notable works are "Orbit," a top bestseller in Germany, as well as "Airship Nine," "Forced Landing," "Skyfall," "Open Skies," and "Captain." Block continues to write both fiction and nonfiction, with his earlier novels updated and re-released in ebook, print, and audiobook formats.
Block's expertise in aviation extends beyond fiction, as he has been a prolific magazine writer since 1968. He served as Contributing Editor for FLYING Magazine for two decades and for Plane & Pilot Magazine for eleven years. In 2001, he became Editor-at-Large for Piper Flyer Magazine and Cessna Flyer Magazine. His articles cover a broad spectrum of aviation topics, from government relations to aircraft evaluations. Before retiring in 2000, Block enjoyed a 36-year career as an airline pilot for US Airways, accumulating over 30,000 flight hours and earning multiple pilot certifications.
Since 2002, Block has resided on a ranch in Florida with his wife, where they train and compete with horses. His deep-rooted passion for aviation and his firsthand experience as a pilot continue to inform his writing, ensuring his works resonate with authenticity and technical precision.