Frederick Forsyth is an English author known for thrillers like The Day of the Jackal. His short story "Black Aeroplane" tells of a pilot who encounters engine trouble in a black cloud over the English Channel. He follows a mysterious black plane that guides him to an airfield. However, air traffic control saw no other plane. The story suggests an unseen divine force protected the pilot in his time of need.

1. TWO STORIES ABOUT
FLYING- BLACK AEROPLANE
By Frederick Forsyth

2. ABOUT THE AUTHOR- FREDERICK
FORSYTH
• Frederick McCarthy Forsyth was born on 25 August 1938.
• He is an English author and journalist.
• He is also a former spy and a political commentator.
• His father was a furrier (who used to sell fur clothing).
• He did his schooling in England and later completed his university education at
Spain.
• Before becoming a journalist he worked as a pilot in Royal Air Force

3. HIS WORKS
• The Day of the Jackal
• The Dogs of War
• The Shepherd
• The Fist of God
• The Fourth Protocol
• The Afghan
• The Cobra, and many more.

4. INTRODUCTION- BLACK AEROPLANE
The lesson “Black Aeroplane” is based on the theme that there is a divine power that
controls and guides human effort. Actually, aeroplanes are never black. The author has
used “black” as an element to arouse the curiosity of the reader. Also the presence of
black colour makes the story gripping and is used as an element of mystery.

5. BLACK AEROPLANE

6. MESSAGE
The story conveys the message that courage is guided by faith. The pilot of the
Dakota plane was an experienced flier yet he panics when the plane gets engulfed by
the black storm. The story also gives the message that one must never give up in the
face of unfortunate and unfavourable times. We should face difficulty with courage
and should not lose hope.

7. DAKOTA

8. KEY POINTS
• A pilot of Dakota plane flies in the midnight over Paris towards England.
• Dreams of spending holiday and have breakfast with his family.
• Unfortunately passes through a thick, black cloud.
• The compass, radio and other instruments in the plane stop working.
• Suddenly he notices a black aeroplane in front of him inside the cloud.
• The pilot of that black aeroplane signals the pilot of the Dakota plane to follow him. He also follows the plane
like an obedient child and in the meanwhile his fuel tank gets exhausted. He thinks that he might crash.
• But he notices a row of light in front of him and understands that it is a runway and feels so relieved.
• He lands his plane safely.
• He goes to the control room and enquires about the other plane that led him. But he is shocked to know that
there was no other plane noticed in the radar except his.
• Many questions remains unanswered, mysterious and unsolved.

9. YOUR UNDERSTANDING
• Who helps him to arrive there safely without a compass, radio and without any
more fuel in the tank?
• Who is the strange pilot in the other Aeroplane that guided him to land?
• What would have happened if he hadn’t seen the other pilot?