Flight School

Essentially, this is a children’s book that would be particularly interesting to boys, though its readership would undoubtedly cover both sexes and all ages (as it says) from '8 to 88'! The research in preparation for it must have been enormous, and clearly an immense amount of thought has been given to its layout, which is both attractive and appropriate.

The author relates at the outset, under the title of “Briefing”, as opposed to “Introduction”, how he came to be so interested in aircraft. He was brought up in a house that lay in Heathrow Airport’s flight path, so that even services in Colnbrook Baptist church that he attended were affected by passing planes. It was his realisation that many aspects of life, including that of flying, “can help us understand God and His Word”, which led him to write this book.

Many children like factual books; therefore this one will appeal to them. Its pages are full of information and a wealth of pictures. The text is very thoughtfully set out in a way that will capture the attention of the readers, with its captions such as “Learning Point”, “Did you know?” and with “What the Bible says” in a red text box on each page. In addition, there are suitable Christian references throughout that seek to underline the truth of God’s creation of the world. This is the book’s great strength. Without any mention of God, the impression to children about the world of flight would undoubtedly be this: “Oh, aren’t we clever!”

It begins with the pioneers of flight, followed by a “Pause for Thought” about God’s design of the world, predating and superseding whatever man has made. Many aircraft have names. “What’s in a name?” (pp.14-15), illustrated by eleven types of aircraft, engages the reader in some Bible study. It draws attention to the first letter of each aircraft’s name and to a book and its chapter in the Bible (but not the verse) where it can be found. Having looked at the answer page, which gives the name, but which still requires one to find it in the relevant verse, one couldn’t help but admire this section’s ingenuity.

Later pages of this hardback book show how aircraft can be used in fire-fighting and provide aspects of the work of Mission Aviation. To bring God’s Word through this means to children’s attention is to be highly commended.