Jagged Horizons is a true story; the heart-felt and tension filled saga of a young missionary pilot's experiences flying in the Andes, a story which begins many years before, deep in the heart of a young boy who wanted to both fly, and serve others. His memoirs hold nothing back in telling the story of a new missionary pilot who accepts a call to fly in the Andes. He takes the reader into the cockpit of his aircraft, and into his mind while flying into treacherous airstrips in the mountains as well as the Amazonian rainforests. You will experience missionary flying as if you were there. Years earlier however, the right people come into his life; the right set of circumstances converge and his dream to serve unfolds. He meets " Neatzie", the lady who would become his wife and influence his life immensely. As a former missionary she encourages and supports his choice to offer his skills as a pilot/mechanic to serve others through mission aviation. Together, after years of preparation the couple, with their young children accept a call to serve with Andes Evangelical Mission based in Cochabamba, Bolivia, South America. But nothing could prepare them for the adjustments to a new way of life, a new climate, the chronic stomach illnesses known as "amoebas"; the long hours of language study, cultural faux pas, misunderstandings, and altitude sickness. Only time, faith and experience fashions the young 500 hour aviator into the pilot he needs to be to survive his calling. His formal training is cut short when his training pilot and predecessor takes ill. Alone he must face the challenges of flying a small Cessna 206 over the turbulent cloud covered 16000 foot mountain ranges. He learns how to find his way around the country using a watch, a compass and maps with the label " Relief Data Incomplete". He must learn to master the skill of landing on mountain airstrips at 14000 feet and taking off with a planeload of missionaries, or a critically ill passenger from tiny grass fields sculptured by hand from the jungle vegetation in the Bolivian Amazon . Over time he does learn, but soon realizes that his naive notion of assured divine protection must be tempered by improving his skills, learning humility, overcoming his fears and turning his mistakes into flying lessons to become a better and safer pilot. The glamour of flying in the Andes, for the Lord is quickly overshadowed by his many encounters with the unknown, the unexpected and the unforeseen....but he survives, and through the aviation ministry makes a difference in the lives of many people. In time the couple and their children settle into their new home in the mountain city of Cochabamba surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Andes. Together they overcome cultural and language barriers, financial hardships, discouragement and at low points even questions why they came to Bolivia. All along the way their faith is challenged. Soon they begin to see direction to their calling, and purpose seems to materialize. They adjust and circumstances bring them to see that their time in Bolivia has indeed been worthwhile. But the story is more than just an aviation adventure story. It is the account of an ordinary young couple who simply wanted to make a difference. Their time in Bolivia is cut short, their dream to serve and to live out their lives together, raising their young family faces a far greater challenge than the Andes...a fatal illness, a loss and a new beginning and many questions... ....... A must read book for aspiring missionary pilots who also feel the powerful divine call to serve others in this challenging ministry.
About the Author: Allan R. Thomson was a missionary pilot with Andes Evangelical Mission, now SIM International, based in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He is a veteran of the RCAF, and has flown as a corporate and charter pilot as well as a volunteer for 23 years with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA). He holds a current Commercial Pilot License, Multi Engine, Instrument and Class 3 Instructor Ratings. He also holds Transport Canada Aircraft Maintenance Engineer as well as the American FAA Airframe & Powerplant Licenses. He is currently a Flight Instructor with the Atlantic Flight College/Saint John Flying Club. He is a former social worker and now an author. He has three grown children, Jamie, Julie and Jillian.