Ron Walesby recalls the historic day in 1955 when heavy rain and cloud forced a low-level approach to Port Macquarie.

Now a 365-page book details Mr Walesby’s life from his childhood to retirement.

The title, Like Snow on the Desert, is drawn from an Omar Khayyam poem in reference to the brevity of life.

Mr Walesby, 94, believes he has lived through the best era, despite what he calls the deterioration of some core values.

The book includes Mr Walesby’s five wartime years with the Royal Australian Airforce, two decades predominantly as East-West Airlines manager of flight operations and the next 16 years as general manager of the south west Pacific area for Dutch Royal Netherlands Aircraft Factories, Fokker.

His community activities over 29 years in retirement aren’t forgotten, either.

Lois Walesby is proud of her husband of 68 years. They met when Mr Walesby took his pants to be dry cleaned.

The couple was married 12 months later.

Like Snow on the Desert will be launched at the Hastings District Flying Club headquarters from 5pm today.

Mr Walesby wrote his memoir after much prompting from friends and family.

The book was about 10 years in the making. Like Snow on the Desert is available for $40 by calling Ron Walesby on 6582 0199.