This book is about entering, surviving and discovering the truths and the untruths of suffering deepest depression and the vicissitudes of life so far.

It is a humorous, some times heart-breaking and yet a heart-warming story of mind over matter, of medical miracles and life - changing events told by a pilot as viewed from his cockpit of life. Having no medical training, the author describes the symptoms in aeronautical terms which are analogous to the conditions directly observed during this serious illness.

Depression has overtaken heart disease as the world's No. 1 illness. I know. I survived both. Little is known about depression. There is much theory. Few facts emerge from direct experience as the few survive to tell their true story of the uncontrolled spin of this deadly unstable condition we call depression.

The expression 'Ice on your wings' is part of the friendly but competitive world of banter often used amongst military aircrew in meeting the challenges of their profession, remaining in high spirits and above all maintaining their sense of humour about the risky business of living and flying. In reality, it is of course, a very dangerous aerodynamic condition.

John Farron is a Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch). He is a Qualified Gliding Instructor and holds a Private Pilots Licence. He holds an appointment as Special Projects Officer for Headquarters Air Cadets, Royal Air Force College, Cranwell. He was appointed MBE by the Queen in 2001 and is a 'Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society' and runs his own Business Development Consultancy.