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William Langewiesche, Acclaimed Journalist and Pilot, Dies at 70

Son of ‘Stick and Rudder’ author leaves lasting legacy in aviation and investigative writing.

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A Cessna aircraft [Courtesy: Textron Aviation]
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Key Takeaways:

  • William Langewiesche, a distinguished professional pilot, journalist, and author, passed away on June 15, 2025, at the age of 70, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
  • He was widely recognized as a leading investigative writer for 35 years, known for his rigorous on-site research, unwavering diligence, and artful, persuasive writing style across various publications.
  • His extensive work covered critical themes including war reporting, nuclear weapons proliferation, and aviation safety, resulting in nine books and numerous award-winning articles for outlets like *The Atlantic* and *Vanity Fair*.
  • Langewiesche was also the son of Wolfgang Langewiesche, author of the seminal aviation text "Stick and Rudder," and a skilled pilot who expanded on flight experiences in his own book, "Aloft."
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William Langewiesche, professional pilot, journalist, and author of nine books, died on June 15, 2025. He was 70.

He wrote for many publications, including a stint at FLYING Magazine in the late 1970s.

FLYING Staff

FLYING Magazine is a one-stop resource for everything aviation, including news, training, aircraft, gear, careers, photos, videos, and more.

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