Capt. Dale Black

In "Flight To Heaven", Captain Dale Black has put to paper one of the most incredile stories of survival, recovery and faith that you will ever read, and that's before he even tells you about heaven.
As a young pilot in training, Dale was a passenger in a small jet with two other experienced pilots. Just after takeoff, the plane clipped a grove of trees which diverted its path and they slammed into a seven-story monument known as "The Portal of The Folded Wings," which ironically is a show more memorial to famous aviators who have passed away. The other two pilots died from the impact of the crash, but Dale somehow survived and was rescued and brought to the hospital. What follows in the book is a two-sided story: one of recovery from massive and brutal injuries, and one of a brief but mesmerizing view of Heaven.
Being somewhat of a skeptical person, I have generally held a cynical view of claims people have made about going to heaven temporarily and returning back to earth. However, after having the pleasure of meeting Dale and then reading his book, I have no doubt that his story is true. The man is the definition of genuine, and to me the most striking part of his story is that he waited 40 years to tell anyone about it. While some people have attempted to cash in or commercialize their out-of-body experiences, Dale kept his a secret from everyone except his grandfather for four decades. Imagine having experienced Heaven and not telling anyone about it! But this particular aspect of the story made me truly believe.
As far as Dale's descriptions of heaven, they are truly breathtaking. I won't try to do them justice here or recap them, but rest assured that you will be mesmerized and inspired by his experience with the afterlife. It's hard to know what to say after reading it; but you will come away with a sense of awe and wonder, and longing to hear more about it.
The other half of Dale's incredible story has to do with his physical recovery after his Heavenly experience. His injuries were so severe that most would not have survived at all. Evel Knievel's doctor was called in due to the nature of the injuries, and he took on a challange that most would have given up on. The relationship that grows between Dale and the doctor is one of the most touching parts of the book, and the ending of that subhead is gratifying. What comes across very clearly in reading about the injuries and recovery process is the depth of Dale's faith, even as a young man. He refused to give up in the face of insurmountable odds; even with setback after setback. However, Dale's story is also one of human doubts, and his frustration with God and doubt through the recovery are there, and this makes him all the more real. Who wouldn't doubt God through such an arduous and painful process? But God continued to show his power and plan to Dale through his recovery; and this is extremely interestin to read about.
The way this book is written is phenomenal considering the subject matter; and it is definitely very difficult to put down. The ending to the story is incredible, and I won't give it away here. But you will come away with amazement at Dale's life and story, and also at his faith and God's faithfulness to him. An incredible person and an incredible story. Mr. John Dorman, Sr. Business Banker show less

I wasn't sure where a book like this might go. I've read a few personal accounts of people's spiritual experiences, and at times been concerned that the person had allowed their personal experience to redefine their theology - and their suggestions for other people's theology. Subjective experiences are limited in what they can mean for everyone or anyone else.

Dale Black is aware of this risk. His first words express his long term concerns that he not misappropriate his experience as have show more some others who've used their experiences or stories as a means to attention or an attempt at fame. Black's decision, instead, to try and live out his experience privately for forty years means that this book is interested more in the question of what to do now. While the book does describe his experience, it does so in the context of what was happening in his life and recovery outside of the spiritual experience itself. I think the book perhaps plays down Black's long term commitment to missions and Christian service - though I would have liked to hear more about where God has taken him. The story which frames the book is wonderful, but I do wish there was a bit more depth of reflection around the questions of God's sovereign hand.

Saying that, I mean to suggest that the book is simply written, and so has the flavour of many of the simple Christian biographies and autobiographies that I've read. This book does not really contain the reflections of a theologian or philosopher; rather this is a factual account of a person's experiences and thoughts. The Christian thinking in the book is direct that way, and often the accounts of Black's interactions about Jesus and the Christian faith have that air of radical simplicity about them.

This is the kind of book that a skeptical non-Christian may find a bit frustrating should they try to engage with it. You can hear them demanding: "All this wonderful spiritual experience and transformation and it turns into asking people if they know Jesus?!! That's it?!!" In response some conservative Christians might just reiterate the evangelistic question, some reflective Christians may engage in conversations of depth from that point, and some mature Christians will just nod with a slight smile.

I would have liked a little more in terms of depth and reflectiveness, but knowing myself the experience of God's hand day to day, I could feel the way that Black has experienced God's hand guiding and providing as matter of practical daily reality. Sometimes I'm not sure I could actually say much more about it myself. I know what was, and what now is . . . and really that's all we can say.

Dale Black says it faithfully. His vision was not about a bunch of secret spiritual insights, but was instead a powerful redirection to the God who gives insight. Dale is clearly a man more interested in walking with God than talking aimlessly about him, and that keeps this kind of account from wandering into the sort of speculations that can lead people astray, chasing experiences instead of the one who gives them.

I do think something that would have made the work significantly more compelling would have been numerous photos from over the years. Pictures of his physical state after the crash and through recovery, of newspaper headlines or articles from the time, or even of the monument or aircraft would nail down any questions of credibility and for the skeptic who does engage . . . perhaps that would be good?

Thanks Dale, for hearing God, for seeking his kingdom work first, and for being open to sharing your story. I was through it in two eager sittings, and was touched by it's sincerity and simplicity. May you fly for him again and again. show less

I came to this book deeply skeptical. All too many people and books these days claim to have visited Heaven and yet their experiences do not match up to the revealed Word of God (e.g. entirely too many near-death-experiences taking place in Heaven instead of Hell).

This book, however, I felt was different. Although it too could potentially be a hoax, it was written very differently. Heaven actually was only described for a couple chapters and was not a key plot point. (This could be because show more for a good chunk of the time, amnesia was preventing him from remembering what had happened.) The real book was about Captain Black's accident, recovery, and the ramifications in his life. And there did seem to be effects, a closer relationship to God, much more concern about others and their salvation, etc. I found myself thinking multiple times that if he were really to have gone to Heaven, these are exactly the types of responses you would expect. I'll give him the benefit of a doubt and allow God to work outside the box occasionally.

(On the bad side, the book needs some editing work before general release, hence the 4.5 rating.) show less

FLIGHT TO HEAVEN is an engrossing, well-written autobiographical account of Dale Black’s near-fatal place crash and subsequent recovery – both physical and spiritual. While Capt. Black goes into some detail about his near-death experience (NDE), what he actually *saw* in heaven (while fascinating) is secondary to what he *learned*. This is what I found most compelling about Dale Black’s story, and his life: how his NDE re-ordered his priorities and granted him God’s serenity.

This show more small book, although unavoidably simplistic about the Christian walk because of its brevity, exudes love and compassion. I found it a comfort, and a refreshing change from the self-righteous judgmentalism that seems to be rampant in our society today. Kudos to co-author Ken Gire for helping Capt. Black weave together the threads into an engrossing, coherent narrative that is an eloquent witness to grace and love. show less