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Flight to Heaven: A Plane Crash...A Lone Survivor...A Journey to Heaven--and Back
Flight To Heaven is a beautifully written and amazing account of life, death - and life again. In the early days of his flying career, Capt. Dale Black was a passenger in a horrific airplane crash which some have called the most ironic in aviation history. He was the only survivor. In the gruesome aftermath of the crash Dale experienced a life-changing journey to heaven. This was not a vision or a dream, but a very real experience. To say that his journey to heaven transformed him forever, is an understatement. Not only was Dale's life forever altered but his story has already changed the lives of tens of thousands.
In this captivating book you'll learn about angelic guides, living Light, and indescribable music from the astonishing city of gold. Dale describes the luxurious countryside, the massive rainbow colored wall with gates of pearl, the awesome townships and the spiritual family that welcomed him. He shares with intricate detail the glorious beauty, radiant colors, intoxicating aromas, and boundless love and joy he experienced while in heaven.
To those who have lost loved ones, this book is a source of deep comfort. It also gives readers renewed purpose and glorious hope for the future. This story is full of challenges and struggles that culminate in "overcoming faith" guaranteed to inspire. This flight to heaven dramatically changed Dale's life - reading this book could change yours too.
In this captivating book you'll learn about angelic guides, living Light, and indescribable music from the astonishing city of gold. Dale describes the luxurious countryside, the massive rainbow colored wall with gates of pearl, the awesome townships and the spiritual family that welcomed him. He shares with intricate detail the glorious beauty, radiant colors, intoxicating aromas, and boundless love and joy he experienced while in heaven.
To those who have lost loved ones, this book is a source of deep comfort. It also gives readers renewed purpose and glorious hope for the future. This story is full of challenges and struggles that culminate in "overcoming faith" guaranteed to inspire. This flight to heaven dramatically changed Dale's life - reading this book could change yours too.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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5052 people want to read
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February 9, 2019
3.0 Stars— Sometimes a non-fiction book is well written and interesting but because of “false advertising” you can’t recommend it. This is that book. “Flight to Heaven: A Plane Crash...A Lone Survivor... A Journey to Heaven and Back” by Dale Black tells the life story of Dale, and how he was able to survive a horrible plane crash in his early 20s. The book primarily details how Dale’s medical recovery from these horrific injuries paralleled with his spiritual journey of becoming closer to God. The book is definitely inspirational as Dale is able to overcome life threatening injuries by putting his faith in God which leads him to use these experiences to become a missionary to others. If the book was entitled “Near Death— How God Healed Me Physically and Spiritually” I would have probably given it 5 stars ... but it wasn’t. Dale’s experience in Heaven after the crash was so brief that the book only devotes a few pages to it. It definitely wasn’t the focal point of the book and because the publisher pulled the “ol’ bait and switch” I can only give this otherwise well written book 3 out of 5 stars.
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February 10, 2019Back again with my yearly guilty pleasure of reading a book about people who have out of body experiences and have had visits to heaven. I'm not sure what my obsession stems from. Insurance that heaven and God are real? A morbid fascination with death and dying? I have no idea what keeps fueling this, but I do enjoy hearing first hand accounts of people who have had these experiences. If there is a Dateline or 60 Minutes on this my DVR is set. I am struck by the similarities that are described by so many. Heaven really does seem like a wonderful place. I'm doing my best to figure out how to get there, just not too quickly. I really like my life here, so no hurry God.
For this book in particular the writing was just okay. The author/pilot is really likable, and although I'm sure he had help from a ghost writer, I think he could have used a little more. The story was a little jumpy for me and also repeated itself at times.
The author, Dale Black is in a plane crash back in 1969 that leaves the pilot and co-pilot dead. Dale is in a coma for 3 days, but makes a miraculous recovery and is able to go on to later become a Pilot for TWA. During those 3 days he visits heaven and has a wonderful story to share of unconditional love and beautiful colors and music. I enjoyed every sentence in this chapter.
During his recovery he has many more miracles of healing that made me so happy for him, but frustrated me a little bit as well. His ankle, he was told was destroyed in the crash and the doctor recommends a surgery that would make it so that he would not be able to walk again. Doug and his family and friends pray and the blood starts flowing well enough in his ankle again and he does not need the life altering surgery that would have made his ankle unusable.
He talks about the prayer and faith that it took to heal him. He continued also to say, "thy will be done." This makes me a little uneasy, and brings up lots of questions. Why does God decide to save some people from death, but not others? Why are some people miraculously healed while others continue to suffer physically or mentally? I like to think of myself and family members/friends as some of God's favorites, but really don't want or think this is the case deep down. I hope that God truly doesn't play favorites this way. I believe in an omniscient God that is capable of all things, but wonder how much he truly intervenes. I believe when we decided to come here that we would be susceptible to the elements as well as heartaches and disappointments. My mom has been in a wheelchair for the last almost 20 years due to MS. I wish so bad that she could be healed in this life and be able to walk again, but certainly don't think that if she or I had more faith or more prayed more fervently that she would be healed. If that is the way God works then it would put a real strain on our relationship. Instead I hope and pray for peace and comfort when I need it, and okay I pray for safety and protection for my family as well, but feel like it wouldn't be his fault or that he was giving me or my family something if a terrible accident or illness happen. Wow, there was lots to chew on. I'll get down from the podium now, until next year and the next book about heaven.
For this book in particular the writing was just okay. The author/pilot is really likable, and although I'm sure he had help from a ghost writer, I think he could have used a little more. The story was a little jumpy for me and also repeated itself at times.
The author, Dale Black is in a plane crash back in 1969 that leaves the pilot and co-pilot dead. Dale is in a coma for 3 days, but makes a miraculous recovery and is able to go on to later become a Pilot for TWA. During those 3 days he visits heaven and has a wonderful story to share of unconditional love and beautiful colors and music. I enjoyed every sentence in this chapter.
During his recovery he has many more miracles of healing that made me so happy for him, but frustrated me a little bit as well. His ankle, he was told was destroyed in the crash and the doctor recommends a surgery that would make it so that he would not be able to walk again. Doug and his family and friends pray and the blood starts flowing well enough in his ankle again and he does not need the life altering surgery that would have made his ankle unusable.
He talks about the prayer and faith that it took to heal him. He continued also to say, "thy will be done." This makes me a little uneasy, and brings up lots of questions. Why does God decide to save some people from death, but not others? Why are some people miraculously healed while others continue to suffer physically or mentally? I like to think of myself and family members/friends as some of God's favorites, but really don't want or think this is the case deep down. I hope that God truly doesn't play favorites this way. I believe in an omniscient God that is capable of all things, but wonder how much he truly intervenes. I believe when we decided to come here that we would be susceptible to the elements as well as heartaches and disappointments. My mom has been in a wheelchair for the last almost 20 years due to MS. I wish so bad that she could be healed in this life and be able to walk again, but certainly don't think that if she or I had more faith or more prayed more fervently that she would be healed. If that is the way God works then it would put a real strain on our relationship. Instead I hope and pray for peace and comfort when I need it, and okay I pray for safety and protection for my family as well, but feel like it wouldn't be his fault or that he was giving me or my family something if a terrible accident or illness happen. Wow, there was lots to chew on. I'll get down from the podium now, until next year and the next book about heaven.
June 12, 2010
Dale Black was 19 and probably pretty arrogant when he got his pilot's license. He'd just been kicked out of college and didn't really care. He hopped into an airplane with two other pilots who had more experience and was ushered to the back seat, mere inches from the pilots. Minutes later, the acting pilot took off without gaining proper air speed. The airplane began losing altitude and, ironically, smashed into a memorial structure built to honor pilots who had previously died called "Portal of the Folded Wings." All of the occupants were ejected from the airplane at approximately 135 mph.
The acting pilot died upon impact. Dale's good friend, Chuck, died at the hospital. Dale felt the moment as he was floating above his body and the doctor came into the room. Dale was in a coma for three days. When he woke up he had HUGE gaps in his memory. He was also critically wounded with chemical burns, shattered bones and joints, pieces of the airplane stuck in his flesh, and an obvious brain injury. Slamming into concrete at 135 mph tends to do that.
Although Dale did not remember anything from the accident or the time he was in a coma, he awoke with a very strong and personal love for those he saw. He wanted to tell them how much God loved them. He wanted to tell them how precious they are and help them to know that truth. He wanted to tell them about Jesus and the importance of His gift.
The author eventually tells of the experience he had at the gates of heaven; the light, the sounds, the music, the love, the people but it is clear he holds back the most sacred of the experiences. The memories were buried for months before they began coming to him in dreams and then while awake. Because of the sacred nature, he didn't tell anybody about them until a couple of months later when he visited with his grandfather. His grandfather told him to hold them sacred, pray about them, and share them only at an appropriate time. Most importantly, rather than telling about his change of heart, live it.
The author then details the rest of the first year after the crash. His injuries were extensive. He didn't just have broken bones and dislocated shoulder as he was previously told. They were shattered beyond probable repair. He details his journey of faith and humility as the crash and the brush with heaven did not completely quell his pride.
Dale was given a glimpse of God's love, it changed his heart and he wanted everybody to know how much God loves them, too. But he was also a proud person (like most of us are) and wanted to be healed for personal gain. When he accepted God's will miracles occurred.
Another poignant part to Dale's story is that even though miracles occurred and he acknowledged God's hand (and they really are amazing), his journey is long and arduous. Nothing happens suddenly but requires not only his own faith but a lot of hard work. He didn't just get to believe he would be healed and pray it would happen. He had to exercise not only his body but his will. When he gave his will to God answers came.
With the additional years of experience and language, Dale more clearly articulated the importance of God, Jesus, and the Plan of Salvation. Waiting forty years to tell a piece of his story made the telling a selfless act. It also gave the author forty years to live the change.
This would be an incredibly difficult book to write. Dale leaves his pride behind him as he describes how he survived, why he survived and the others did not, how much he wants to further God's work, included a little smidgen of how he has done so without placing himself on a pedestal, and he is somehow able to use written language to write about spiritual experiences.
The acting pilot died upon impact. Dale's good friend, Chuck, died at the hospital. Dale felt the moment as he was floating above his body and the doctor came into the room. Dale was in a coma for three days. When he woke up he had HUGE gaps in his memory. He was also critically wounded with chemical burns, shattered bones and joints, pieces of the airplane stuck in his flesh, and an obvious brain injury. Slamming into concrete at 135 mph tends to do that.
Although Dale did not remember anything from the accident or the time he was in a coma, he awoke with a very strong and personal love for those he saw. He wanted to tell them how much God loved them. He wanted to tell them how precious they are and help them to know that truth. He wanted to tell them about Jesus and the importance of His gift.
The author eventually tells of the experience he had at the gates of heaven; the light, the sounds, the music, the love, the people but it is clear he holds back the most sacred of the experiences. The memories were buried for months before they began coming to him in dreams and then while awake. Because of the sacred nature, he didn't tell anybody about them until a couple of months later when he visited with his grandfather. His grandfather told him to hold them sacred, pray about them, and share them only at an appropriate time. Most importantly, rather than telling about his change of heart, live it.
The author then details the rest of the first year after the crash. His injuries were extensive. He didn't just have broken bones and dislocated shoulder as he was previously told. They were shattered beyond probable repair. He details his journey of faith and humility as the crash and the brush with heaven did not completely quell his pride.
Dale was given a glimpse of God's love, it changed his heart and he wanted everybody to know how much God loves them, too. But he was also a proud person (like most of us are) and wanted to be healed for personal gain. When he accepted God's will miracles occurred.
Another poignant part to Dale's story is that even though miracles occurred and he acknowledged God's hand (and they really are amazing), his journey is long and arduous. Nothing happens suddenly but requires not only his own faith but a lot of hard work. He didn't just get to believe he would be healed and pray it would happen. He had to exercise not only his body but his will. When he gave his will to God answers came.
With the additional years of experience and language, Dale more clearly articulated the importance of God, Jesus, and the Plan of Salvation. Waiting forty years to tell a piece of his story made the telling a selfless act. It also gave the author forty years to live the change.
This would be an incredibly difficult book to write. Dale leaves his pride behind him as he describes how he survived, why he survived and the others did not, how much he wants to further God's work, included a little smidgen of how he has done so without placing himself on a pedestal, and he is somehow able to use written language to write about spiritual experiences.
August 21, 2012
When I was fifteen, six friends and relatives abruptly passed away during a nine month time period. Their sudden passing left me shaken, feeling like my world as I knew it had tilted, and wondering what it was like for my loved ones now. My grief and questioning led me to a deeper faith in God through Jesus Christ.
I have remained very curious about what we have in store for us when we leave this life, and what it is like for my friends and relatives. I have read the descriptions of Heaven in the Bible, but I am always ready for another glimpse of what I have awaiting me–and what those who have already left this earth are experiencing. As time has gone on, and the older I get, the number of beloved relatives and friends who have moved to Heaven has increased. So this book by Dale Black on the subject of Heaven really piqued my interest.
This book is a fascinating account of the author’s awful air plane accident, and his road back to living. Included in the story is his account of going to Heaven. Although lots of jokes are made about “going toward the light”, and some very non-Christian accounts of Heavenly visits have been told, I felt his story rang true. Dale Black is a very inspiring Christian man, and he writes his adventure to Heaven very well.
I will always recommend the Bible as the first place to go for answers to life’s questions, including what the afterlife will be like. However, I also enjoy “first hand” accounts of people in the here and now. As long as the stories don’t contradict the Bible, I think hearing them can be very interesting.
Read this and find out for yourself, I think the story is awesome!
My Blog: http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/
I have remained very curious about what we have in store for us when we leave this life, and what it is like for my friends and relatives. I have read the descriptions of Heaven in the Bible, but I am always ready for another glimpse of what I have awaiting me–and what those who have already left this earth are experiencing. As time has gone on, and the older I get, the number of beloved relatives and friends who have moved to Heaven has increased. So this book by Dale Black on the subject of Heaven really piqued my interest.
This book is a fascinating account of the author’s awful air plane accident, and his road back to living. Included in the story is his account of going to Heaven. Although lots of jokes are made about “going toward the light”, and some very non-Christian accounts of Heavenly visits have been told, I felt his story rang true. Dale Black is a very inspiring Christian man, and he writes his adventure to Heaven very well.
I will always recommend the Bible as the first place to go for answers to life’s questions, including what the afterlife will be like. However, I also enjoy “first hand” accounts of people in the here and now. As long as the stories don’t contradict the Bible, I think hearing them can be very interesting.
Read this and find out for yourself, I think the story is awesome!
My Blog: http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/
March 19, 2018
3.5/5 In the book “Flight To Heaven”, the writer shares his experience being the only survivor in a twin-engine corporate aircraft crash on a beautiful Southern California morning.
Captain Dale Black said that the decision to get on that airplane would almost be the most life-changing decisions of his life.
Why almost?
Because of the crash, he has found God.
This book is an accident buy, I was testing the Google Playbook apps because of the 90% discount I received. And poof, it's downloaded to my phone.
Anyway, apart from the two chapters on what Heaven is like in his dreams, (which I can't connect with) the other chapters are fine actually. The writer recollects his experience growing up as an active, motivated and fearless young boy who wants to experience everything. Religion, or more specifically God wasn't in the picture.
The accident changed his life! He then shares his one year recuperating period of pain, the slowly gaining of memory and his interaction with God.
Despite the biblical Christian reference, I can relate some of the message with my own religion. I mean, Christianity and Islam has a lot in common that it's not hard to understand. Plus I've written a long report on Bible translation in my first year of degree for which I received an A- for it.
I wouldn't say that this book is very good since there are some parts that I can't relate, but apart from that, I think its suitable for those who are searching for God, who wants to strengthen their Christian faith, or is looking for a meaning in life. Now this might be the book for you.
Captain Dale Black said that the decision to get on that airplane would almost be the most life-changing decisions of his life.
Why almost?
Because of the crash, he has found God.
This book is an accident buy, I was testing the Google Playbook apps because of the 90% discount I received. And poof, it's downloaded to my phone.
Anyway, apart from the two chapters on what Heaven is like in his dreams, (which I can't connect with) the other chapters are fine actually. The writer recollects his experience growing up as an active, motivated and fearless young boy who wants to experience everything. Religion, or more specifically God wasn't in the picture.
The accident changed his life! He then shares his one year recuperating period of pain, the slowly gaining of memory and his interaction with God.
Despite the biblical Christian reference, I can relate some of the message with my own religion. I mean, Christianity and Islam has a lot in common that it's not hard to understand. Plus I've written a long report on Bible translation in my first year of degree for which I received an A- for it.
I wouldn't say that this book is very good since there are some parts that I can't relate, but apart from that, I think its suitable for those who are searching for God, who wants to strengthen their Christian faith, or is looking for a meaning in life. Now this might be the book for you.
April 20, 2013
Captain Black is a retired pilot who was the only survivor of an "unsurvivable" plane crash when he was a young man. He sustained horrific injuries that were expected to cripple him for life, but he was determined to fly again. He had the faith to ask for healing and believe he would receive it, faith that came from an incredible thing he experienced after the accident.
While he was in a coma, Dale Black went to Heaven. What he saw, heard and felt there changed his life. He talks about angels, music and the "truth that prevails and has supremacy in heaven." He saw light and colours as he'd never seen them before and flowers "that were beautiful to behold. Each petal and leaf illuminated with that glorious light...". He struggled to find words to describe the beauty: "If millions of jewels had been gathered into one place and the brightest sunlight shone through them it wouldn't begin to describe the colors I saw."
At the center of it all was God: "...a great phosphorescent display of light that narrowed to a focal point that was brighter than the sun, a light that didn't make me squint to look at it but was palpable" and had "substance to it, weight and thickness, like nothing I had ever seen before or since." His descriptions are breathtaking , even given our human limitations in talking about and understanding heavenly things.
The title being what it is, I was expecting more of the book to be about his experience in heaven, but most of it is about his recovery and healing as he worked his way back to being a pilot and living a full, productive life. It is a fascinating story but I was drawn back again and again to the 12 or so pages he filled with descriptions of heaven. I can't get enough of it.
While he was in a coma, Dale Black went to Heaven. What he saw, heard and felt there changed his life. He talks about angels, music and the "truth that prevails and has supremacy in heaven." He saw light and colours as he'd never seen them before and flowers "that were beautiful to behold. Each petal and leaf illuminated with that glorious light...". He struggled to find words to describe the beauty: "If millions of jewels had been gathered into one place and the brightest sunlight shone through them it wouldn't begin to describe the colors I saw."
At the center of it all was God: "...a great phosphorescent display of light that narrowed to a focal point that was brighter than the sun, a light that didn't make me squint to look at it but was palpable" and had "substance to it, weight and thickness, like nothing I had ever seen before or since." His descriptions are breathtaking , even given our human limitations in talking about and understanding heavenly things.
The title being what it is, I was expecting more of the book to be about his experience in heaven, but most of it is about his recovery and healing as he worked his way back to being a pilot and living a full, productive life. It is a fascinating story but I was drawn back again and again to the 12 or so pages he filled with descriptions of heaven. I can't get enough of it.
July 1, 2019
The grumpus23 (23-Word Commentary)
Extraordinary spiritual, fight for life story. The life after death experience is detailed but is secondary to the religious belief and healing aspect.
Extraordinary spiritual, fight for life story. The life after death experience is detailed but is secondary to the religious belief and healing aspect.
July 23, 2010
If you read one book this year, let it be this one! As someone who has lived with a chronic illness for over 20+ years, and have had my own visit to heaven, this book spoke to me in a powerful and impacting way. Black says, “I didn’t have strength for the whole journey, just enough for the next step.”
That one statement summed up what I have learned after walking out my journey with a chronic illness all these years.
Black open’s his testimony in the middle of a major plane crisis in which the potential for crashing is overwhelmingly real. From there he shares the journey he walks out during his life, his God encounter, his visit to heaven, the impacting change of that moment, and end’s with the opening plane crisis the reader originally started with.
At no point, does the reader feel like they are being dragged along in this story. Quite the opposite. This reader felt as if she was part of this story every step of the way.
The message of God’s incredible love and provision is one that helped lift me out of my own ‘crisis’ and placed me back under the protective wing of the Lord.
This story is amazing, it is impacting, it is emotional, it is life changing, it is uplifting and it is empowering. More than that, this story is redemptive.
Hands down this story earned a 5 out 5 star rating.
*I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogging 4 Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
That one statement summed up what I have learned after walking out my journey with a chronic illness all these years.
Black open’s his testimony in the middle of a major plane crisis in which the potential for crashing is overwhelmingly real. From there he shares the journey he walks out during his life, his God encounter, his visit to heaven, the impacting change of that moment, and end’s with the opening plane crisis the reader originally started with.
At no point, does the reader feel like they are being dragged along in this story. Quite the opposite. This reader felt as if she was part of this story every step of the way.
The message of God’s incredible love and provision is one that helped lift me out of my own ‘crisis’ and placed me back under the protective wing of the Lord.
This story is amazing, it is impacting, it is emotional, it is life changing, it is uplifting and it is empowering. More than that, this story is redemptive.
Hands down this story earned a 5 out 5 star rating.
*I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogging 4 Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
March 30, 2013
1.5 stars.
I expected the book to be more focused on the journey to Heaven, but the book was mostly about the plane crash and the survivor's recovery. I did like the parts where the survivor put his faith in God to heal him when modern medicine could not. But preachy Bible verses and attempts to convert people to believing in Jesus Christ by asking them if they knew Jesus seemed awkward and forced.
I expected the book to be more focused on the journey to Heaven, but the book was mostly about the plane crash and the survivor's recovery. I did like the parts where the survivor put his faith in God to heal him when modern medicine could not. But preachy Bible verses and attempts to convert people to believing in Jesus Christ by asking them if they knew Jesus seemed awkward and forced.
March 7, 2010
I was given an advance copy of Flight to Heaven by a friend, having read no less than fifty books about life after death, heaven and NDE (near death experiences). Without doubt Flight to Heaven by Capt. Dale Black is the most comprehensive description of heaven I’ve ever read. The book kept me on the edge of my seat from cover to cover but the concepts regarding heaven were a little deep for me at first. The story was very credible, even to my critical mind, but as such, I was not able to fully comprehend the magnitude of the heavenly experience without reading those chapters twice. I strongly encourage anyone searching to understand more about the God and life hereafter to read this book. In fact, you should read it twice.
March 21, 2022
Totally inspiring.
May 4, 2014
This book is not "litt-ra-chaw"; it is a testimonial. As such, I approach it differently from fiction or even from other non-fiction. While I expect such a book to conform to minimal standards of literacy, such as complete sentences and reasonable fluidity, my main criterion is how the book moved me. Was it believable? Did I learn anything important and/or new? Did I gain insight?
As a Christian (Latter-day Saint), I am somewhat predisposed to look sympathetically on NDE stories, and I had heard good things about this book. Indeed, I found some interesting and even inspirational material in the book -- just not very much of it. The target audience appeared to have been evangelical Christians, and talk attuned to the ear and attitude of that group tends to leave me cold. This is partially a matter of word selection, since every faith group has its own special terms and expressions that bear greater meaning inside that group than outside.
But that is not the only reason. I found myself put off by the author's interpretations of his experiences, specifically when he introduced his own biases into the interpretation of an event. This is a silly thing to be upset about, of course; even prophets are left to interpret their visions and experiences through their own personal and imperfect lenses. But silly or not, fair or not, I still found myself cringing when the author mourned the "unsaved" state of his friend who died in the plane crash. How is he, the author, in any position to know whether or not his friend was "saved" or "damned"?
Ultimately, I have no good idea how authentic his experiences were, in the sense of "did they really happen?" I can't answer that and have no good basis by which to judge. Based on what I know and what I believe, I found much or most of his account credible. However, I found many of his interpretations greatly wanting, regardless of their sincerity.
My other major problem with the book is that there simply was not much "meat" to his story. Yes, he had a transcendent experience which, if real, must have been life-changing for him. But for the most part, the details were either trivial (e.g. people were individuals), already generally known or believed (e.g. people knew and loved him), or simply irrelevant to any important questions (e.g. the walls surrounding what he thought of as "heaven" were a hundred feet thick). What of the state of the dead? What of the progress and continuation of human relationships? What of the essential nature of man and of his relationship to God? My religion provides answers or at least insight into all these, but I was hoping for further insight from another source. I did not find it in this book.
I would moderately recommend this book to a believing evangelical Christian, who I suppose would find much to sympathize with in this book and would be less likely to be looking for the kinds of insight that I wished to explore. A fellow Latter-day Saint or other non-evangelical Christian, or for that matter any non-Christian, would find my recommendation decidedly lukewarm.
As a Christian (Latter-day Saint), I am somewhat predisposed to look sympathetically on NDE stories, and I had heard good things about this book. Indeed, I found some interesting and even inspirational material in the book -- just not very much of it. The target audience appeared to have been evangelical Christians, and talk attuned to the ear and attitude of that group tends to leave me cold. This is partially a matter of word selection, since every faith group has its own special terms and expressions that bear greater meaning inside that group than outside.
But that is not the only reason. I found myself put off by the author's interpretations of his experiences, specifically when he introduced his own biases into the interpretation of an event. This is a silly thing to be upset about, of course; even prophets are left to interpret their visions and experiences through their own personal and imperfect lenses. But silly or not, fair or not, I still found myself cringing when the author mourned the "unsaved" state of his friend who died in the plane crash. How is he, the author, in any position to know whether or not his friend was "saved" or "damned"?
Ultimately, I have no good idea how authentic his experiences were, in the sense of "did they really happen?" I can't answer that and have no good basis by which to judge. Based on what I know and what I believe, I found much or most of his account credible. However, I found many of his interpretations greatly wanting, regardless of their sincerity.
My other major problem with the book is that there simply was not much "meat" to his story. Yes, he had a transcendent experience which, if real, must have been life-changing for him. But for the most part, the details were either trivial (e.g. people were individuals), already generally known or believed (e.g. people knew and loved him), or simply irrelevant to any important questions (e.g. the walls surrounding what he thought of as "heaven" were a hundred feet thick). What of the state of the dead? What of the progress and continuation of human relationships? What of the essential nature of man and of his relationship to God? My religion provides answers or at least insight into all these, but I was hoping for further insight from another source. I did not find it in this book.
I would moderately recommend this book to a believing evangelical Christian, who I suppose would find much to sympathize with in this book and would be less likely to be looking for the kinds of insight that I wished to explore. A fellow Latter-day Saint or other non-evangelical Christian, or for that matter any non-Christian, would find my recommendation decidedly lukewarm.
November 22, 2023
Capt Black's incredible journey to Heaven and back is profoundly heartwarming and inspiring. His story serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to those who hold strong beliefs. Each page of this captivating book beautifully illustrates an amazing and grateful journey worth sharing. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering hope that transcends beyond life's trials.
April 18, 2024
Dale you are an inspiration to all of us who are looking to find out more about Jesus and Heaven.
The only thing is I wish that there was little more information about his heavenly journey. We received a bunch of information on his aviation life and his healing (which was a great story).
Thank you Capt. Dale Black for sharing you inspiring story!
The only thing is I wish that there was little more information about his heavenly journey. We received a bunch of information on his aviation life and his healing (which was a great story).
Thank you Capt. Dale Black for sharing you inspiring story!
September 10, 2025
Purchased by chance at an antiques shop in Henderson, Tennessee. Dale Black’s story is riveting, and it was an added bonus to learn more about his aviation journey in the midst of the biggest chunk of the story—his enduring faith!
March 30, 2022
not for me
November 20, 2017
Sorry to say that I approached this book with an open mind and heart but it felt like this authors relentless assault on logic and reasoning of a non-Christian readers belief in how God influences events in the world makes it impossible to be worth the while.
His primary attention seems to be in simply explaining a big event like a plane crash and everything after that as some sort of manifestation of God's master plan from a Christian perspective. The title has little to do with the bulk content of this book and the vague and abrupt nature of what happened in heaven makes it even more agonizing.
It makes me cringe that he was advised by his own grandfather to keep this to himself so as to not project himself as some sort of self important being favored by God to garner worldly fame but evidently has exactly gone on to do just that unashamedly because somehow inexplicably God approved of this.
The audio-book version has many moments like this including him almost literally seeming to cry or loosing it while narrating these events. It's touching initially but after a while it's enough to pile on the nerves. Also it doesn't help that he tends to use a lot of silly metaphors to describe situations especially killing it with his aviation puns.
All in all the author fails to provide any meaningful or cutting edge information about heaven or a relatable account of how it was not just a function of his brain's rationalization of what was a major trauma event in the process setting and encouraging a dangerous precedent of blatantly ignoring medical advice.
His primary attention seems to be in simply explaining a big event like a plane crash and everything after that as some sort of manifestation of God's master plan from a Christian perspective. The title has little to do with the bulk content of this book and the vague and abrupt nature of what happened in heaven makes it even more agonizing.
It makes me cringe that he was advised by his own grandfather to keep this to himself so as to not project himself as some sort of self important being favored by God to garner worldly fame but evidently has exactly gone on to do just that unashamedly because somehow inexplicably God approved of this.
The audio-book version has many moments like this including him almost literally seeming to cry or loosing it while narrating these events. It's touching initially but after a while it's enough to pile on the nerves. Also it doesn't help that he tends to use a lot of silly metaphors to describe situations especially killing it with his aviation puns.
All in all the author fails to provide any meaningful or cutting edge information about heaven or a relatable account of how it was not just a function of his brain's rationalization of what was a major trauma event in the process setting and encouraging a dangerous precedent of blatantly ignoring medical advice.
September 23, 2010
I never read a book like this before. It is Captain Black’s true story about his Flight to Heaven—a plane crash…a lone survivor…A Journey To Heaven—And Back. At age 19, he was the lone survivor in a plane crash. His body was wrecked and he was in a coma for three days, during which time he experienced a bit of heaven. His story is both interesting and amazing! The book takes the reader through his spiritual journey as well as his physical one of making a recovery to fly again just a year after he crashed and became a pilot giving God the glory! It was when he surrendered his will completely to God and let God be the “pilot” of his life instead of the co-pilot that his ankle was healed. Dale Black shares his personal testimony about his faith in God, the time of testing he went through and how he came out with a deeper desire to take them along on the flight to heaven. My favorite quote from this book is “. . . although I am small, I am connected to a very big God!”
Flight to Heaven by Captain Dale Black is a fantastic story that I highly recommend to anyone. It was interesting to me that he said love from and for others is the closest thing on Earth to heaven. I liked that this book looked at his life on two levels, not only the physical recovery but also his personal spiritual journey.
Flight to Heaven by Captain Dale Black is a fantastic story that I highly recommend to anyone. It was interesting to me that he said love from and for others is the closest thing on Earth to heaven. I liked that this book looked at his life on two levels, not only the physical recovery but also his personal spiritual journey.
September 12, 2013
More than one book referencing an 'out of body' experience appeared to dominate my view of the smallest rack in a garage convenience store as I was travelling out of the hot Arizona desert to enjoy cooler climes. Why I chose this one is somewhat of a mystery because although I was familiar with the other titles, I had not read any of them. On reflection I am so very glad I chose Flight to Heaven. Faced with what appears to be an insurmountable task of overcoming horrendous injuries when Capt. Black is the lone survivor of a terrible plane crash, this book highlights that although confronted with such adversity his response is a desire for a deeper understanding of God combined with a growing strength of faith. For me personally there were many lessons to be learned throughout the story, but overall I am left with the reassurance that when we are confronted with unpleasant circumstances in our lives not only does God undoubtedly provide an opportunity to improve our characters but especially to deepen our faith. For me, that was the biggest lesson this book provides: yes we can believe, but it is an entirely greater challenge to have the depth of faith required to rely upon Him completely.
April 11, 2011
I was a little apprehensive about this book when I first started reading, as I always am with books about near-death experiences involving trips to or visions of heaven, hell, and everywhere in between. I had previously read 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper, which I wasn’t thrilled with. In addition to the weak writing, I was disappointed to read Tim Challies’ review at Discerning Reader which denounced the book as theologically incorrect. (I’m no theologian, but I think it’s important to exercise extreme caution when determining whether a near-death–or after-death experience as in Piper’s case–is credible or not.)
As I progressed through the book, I grew steadily more certain of the author’s sincerity. Co-authored with Ken Gire, Flight to Heaven is well-written and entertaining. I was caught up in the story just as much as I would be with any fictional work. I also enjoyed the multiple black-and-white photos depicting the crash site and Captain Black, among others. I found Black’s narrative deeply touching and his distinct change of heart after the crash moving and inspiring.
Continue reading this review: http://parchmentgirl.com/2010/08/21/f...
As I progressed through the book, I grew steadily more certain of the author’s sincerity. Co-authored with Ken Gire, Flight to Heaven is well-written and entertaining. I was caught up in the story just as much as I would be with any fictional work. I also enjoyed the multiple black-and-white photos depicting the crash site and Captain Black, among others. I found Black’s narrative deeply touching and his distinct change of heart after the crash moving and inspiring.
Continue reading this review: http://parchmentgirl.com/2010/08/21/f...
February 15, 2014
I just finished reading A Flight to Heaven by Captain Dale Black. This wasn’t your typical
“heavenly experience” book. I love reading those books too - about people who have died and gone to Heaven and then been brought back to life, which is why I read this book to begin with, but this one was so much more.
I love how the majority of the book focused on Captain Black’s life both before and after the crash. I love how he took us through his spiritual experiences and how his heavenly experience changed him for the better. I especially was touched by his conversation with his grandfather and how he accepted the wisdom and advice he was given. Maybe it was because God was leading me through my own experience where I needed Godly wisdom, but it spoke straight to my heart.
I can’t wait to read more books by this author. I would recommend this book to everyone - male, female, young, old. This is a book that will stay in my heart for a long time and continue to challenge me to be a better person and to make sure I live the life God wants me to live - fulfilling the purpose God has for me which is to point everyone toward Him.
“heavenly experience” book. I love reading those books too - about people who have died and gone to Heaven and then been brought back to life, which is why I read this book to begin with, but this one was so much more.
I love how the majority of the book focused on Captain Black’s life both before and after the crash. I love how he took us through his spiritual experiences and how his heavenly experience changed him for the better. I especially was touched by his conversation with his grandfather and how he accepted the wisdom and advice he was given. Maybe it was because God was leading me through my own experience where I needed Godly wisdom, but it spoke straight to my heart.
I can’t wait to read more books by this author. I would recommend this book to everyone - male, female, young, old. This is a book that will stay in my heart for a long time and continue to challenge me to be a better person and to make sure I live the life God wants me to live - fulfilling the purpose God has for me which is to point everyone toward Him.
January 1, 2020
I read some of Dale Black's testimony in another book of NDE's, so that made me pick up this book. It was good, but I was hoping for a little more. It is amazing that he survived such a horrible plane crash and a good testimony of his faith and missionary work. But the book just fell a little flat for me.
April 9, 2015
I really appreciate how Dale was able to find and then share his love for Jesus Christ. Even though his expressions are different from mine, his life is an inspiring tribute to his Savior. The book is uplifting and heartwarming.
May 5, 2015
This book restored a lot of my faith in God. Due to, what seems never ending obstacles in my life over the past few years, my faith in God has been shaken, but through reading Dale's beautiful story, and incredible description of heaven, I feel a lot closer to God than I have in a while.
July 14, 2023
Definitely five stars! Captain Dale Black shares about his experiences when he was the sole survivor of a plane crash. For nearly forty years, he kept them a secret because they were too sacred to be shared with the world. Finally, after all this time that he felt God gave him permission. After the plane crashed, Dale was in a coma for three days. During that time, he was escorted to Heaven by angelic beings. There, he witnessed undescribable beauty; a place that was full of light, music, and unity.
As a result of the crash, Dale lost much of his memory. When he awoke from his coma, he was filled with an unearthly love for others and a deep desire for them to know Jesus. He wanted to be certain that whoever he met was on their way to Heaven. He couldn't understand why he was filling this way until his memory slowly returned.
Dale not only suffered memory loss. His body was shattered in many places. Doctors were certain that he would never walk again. Dale decided that he had complete faith that God would heal him. A year later, Dale was back in the plane, flying solo. He continued to fly for forty years as a commercial pilot. He was also a flight instructor and instrumental in improving aviation safety. He also shared a story when he was flying missionaries into Zambia and had to crash land. They were immediately surrounded by the military and faced possible death and/ or imprisonment. God used this as an opportunity to use Dale and the other missionaries to lead the soldiers to Christ.
Dale gives all credit to God. It was only by His power that Dale was miraculously healed. Now, his purpose in life is to share the love of God with others and to be certain of their home in Heaven. He wants many more to be a part of the family of God where there is love and unity.
As a result of the crash, Dale lost much of his memory. When he awoke from his coma, he was filled with an unearthly love for others and a deep desire for them to know Jesus. He wanted to be certain that whoever he met was on their way to Heaven. He couldn't understand why he was filling this way until his memory slowly returned.
Dale not only suffered memory loss. His body was shattered in many places. Doctors were certain that he would never walk again. Dale decided that he had complete faith that God would heal him. A year later, Dale was back in the plane, flying solo. He continued to fly for forty years as a commercial pilot. He was also a flight instructor and instrumental in improving aviation safety. He also shared a story when he was flying missionaries into Zambia and had to crash land. They were immediately surrounded by the military and faced possible death and/ or imprisonment. God used this as an opportunity to use Dale and the other missionaries to lead the soldiers to Christ.
Dale gives all credit to God. It was only by His power that Dale was miraculously healed. Now, his purpose in life is to share the love of God with others and to be certain of their home in Heaven. He wants many more to be a part of the family of God where there is love and unity.
January 28, 2019
Most of these 'been to heaven and back' should in actuality be entitled: my brush with death and how i got well again. As that, the story was well-told and interesting.
But it's not. It's 'a journey to heaven and back.' Not much of the story is about his heavenly visit. And this trip to heaven was mostly something about seeing colourful lights and a bright city with a gate- not sure why God needs gates around his city. And then his very christian testimony fills the rest of the book.
But nowhere in the book did he say that God told him to be christian, as opposed to any other religion. Does God care about what religion we are? Because he doesn't seem to say anything about this and i've read lots of these books. It it were important to God what religion to become, in order to get to heaven, you'd think he'd tell these people, so they could get it right and be absolutely sure that's how God wants them to spend their time on earth.
Or is it that people who have these experiences just assume that god likes their religion best, because they feel loved?
Dale does spend a lot of time wondering why he was spared, when the other 2 guys in the plane died, since he couldn't walk at it seemed like he would not ever walk again. His belief is that he can only be fully happy again if he could walk. This arrogant attitude slowly changes to humility and acceptance. So he does learn something from his accident.
But it's not. It's 'a journey to heaven and back.' Not much of the story is about his heavenly visit. And this trip to heaven was mostly something about seeing colourful lights and a bright city with a gate- not sure why God needs gates around his city. And then his very christian testimony fills the rest of the book.
But nowhere in the book did he say that God told him to be christian, as opposed to any other religion. Does God care about what religion we are? Because he doesn't seem to say anything about this and i've read lots of these books. It it were important to God what religion to become, in order to get to heaven, you'd think he'd tell these people, so they could get it right and be absolutely sure that's how God wants them to spend their time on earth.
Or is it that people who have these experiences just assume that god likes their religion best, because they feel loved?
Dale does spend a lot of time wondering why he was spared, when the other 2 guys in the plane died, since he couldn't walk at it seemed like he would not ever walk again. His belief is that he can only be fully happy again if he could walk. This arrogant attitude slowly changes to humility and acceptance. So he does learn something from his accident.
January 28, 2018
A life and life returned situation
Not sure how many times i hear people at well no one's been to the otherside and returned, and on the other hand how many books there are by people who have. I have read a few of those books some well may be more novels than really a heavy night before, but some like this one that seem far too real to discount, maybe the others are real it's not fair to judge others. This account is one of the best i have read not only do we hear (or read) of Dales experience but there is a new life that followed a life completely transformed similar dreams as in wanting to fly, play sport like many young men but the purpose behind it all was changed. I don't want to give too much away as you need to read this tho fully understand what i mean. Like any book of another's story if you choose not to belief or just rebuke it all you will miss out i find something in everyone's story that is out of my understanding but that doesn't make it impossible. When i share some of my experiences at times you see that look of yer right.
I loved this book so much, i loved to read of a life transformed, of others having their lives transformed by Dales life not his history, i have learnt from him and i hope his story will touch you more than being simply a good or interesting read.
Not sure how many times i hear people at well no one's been to the otherside and returned, and on the other hand how many books there are by people who have. I have read a few of those books some well may be more novels than really a heavy night before, but some like this one that seem far too real to discount, maybe the others are real it's not fair to judge others. This account is one of the best i have read not only do we hear (or read) of Dales experience but there is a new life that followed a life completely transformed similar dreams as in wanting to fly, play sport like many young men but the purpose behind it all was changed. I don't want to give too much away as you need to read this tho fully understand what i mean. Like any book of another's story if you choose not to belief or just rebuke it all you will miss out i find something in everyone's story that is out of my understanding but that doesn't make it impossible. When i share some of my experiences at times you see that look of yer right.
I loved this book so much, i loved to read of a life transformed, of others having their lives transformed by Dales life not his history, i have learnt from him and i hope his story will touch you more than being simply a good or interesting read.
February 6, 2019
Captain Dale Black is revealingly transparent in writing this account of his life before and after the horrific plane crash that catapulted him to heaven for a short stay. Other reviewers were disappointed that he dwelt on the heaven experience for only a few pages but not my wife and me. We were absolutely enthralled with observing the Hand of God transform the captain's selfish life into one of service and sacrifice for God. I love the serendipitous workings of God, the "chance" meetings that lead to people accepting Jesus as their Lord and savior. This book is chock full of miracles of that sort.
I read books to my wife while she wiles away at her art or drives (I don't get sick reading aloud while she drives). This was a wonderful read. It was an uplifting story of a dedicated pilot who shared his heart through the most devastating event of his life. But he didn't leave us in despair. He allowed us to journey with him as he became an enthusiastic light of the Kingdom of God. The inference is that we, too, can choose to light the way for others as he did.
Thank you, Dale, for sharing your life with us!
Vic Zarley (my blog is https://joyfulchristianliving.wordpre...)
I read books to my wife while she wiles away at her art or drives (I don't get sick reading aloud while she drives). This was a wonderful read. It was an uplifting story of a dedicated pilot who shared his heart through the most devastating event of his life. But he didn't leave us in despair. He allowed us to journey with him as he became an enthusiastic light of the Kingdom of God. The inference is that we, too, can choose to light the way for others as he did.
Thank you, Dale, for sharing your life with us!
Vic Zarley (my blog is https://joyfulchristianliving.wordpre...)
January 13, 2021
I have read other books by authors who had near death experiences and Dale Black's heavenly experience was similar to others who have experienced this, in that it is almost impossible to find words to describe the beauty and wonderment of heaven. "The colors seemed to be alive, dancing in the air. I had never seen so many different colors. If the brightest light on earth could shine through the most magnificent chandelier with tens of thousands of flawless crystals, it would appear as dirty glass in comparison to he amazing brightness and colors that entranced me" in heaven. Captain Dale Black's heavenly NDE is different than some others, in that he didn't come out and tell the public for 40 years until he felt God wanted him to relate his heavenly visit. Dale Black's life after his plane crash at age 19 was filled with trials and tribulations, but it caused him to develop a close relationship with God and resulted in some miraculous healing of his plane crash injuries. This book is 187 pages long and it is one that the reader will want to keep reading and not put the book down.
December 31, 2023
The 2 stars are because I think this is pretty well written and that the author is sincere in his beliefs. The TL:DR is that a man who believes that Christ is the savior of the world, that God is male and that flying is his purpose in life has an experience that confirms these pre-existing beliefs. The missing 3 stars are because I think this is mostly a Dale’s testimony. It’s a story of confirmation bias and it perpetuates traditional Christian ideas about the afterlife, the nature of God, and the role of Jesus Christ. I find many of those traditional Christian ideas, including the creation of the Bible to be problematic and steeped in misogyny, patriarchy and the historical creation of those rooted in power and control seeking leaders. Do I think Dale Black saw heaven? No, absolutely not. But I do think Dale sincerely believes he did. If you’re only interested in the part where he sees heaven- read the initial chapter about the accident for context, then skip to pg 100. (Chapter 13&14 of the audio book.) The rest is a lot of testifying.
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