During this outreach in southern Cameroon I was once again travelling in dense jungle with another team. I constantly kept my eye open for places with low palm trees that snake through the dark forest like pale veins. These light green clearings were potential places for an emergency landing in case of engine failure. You really never know!

The helicopter flight from Switzerland to Tanzania in 1989 had special significance for me. My youngest son had completed his training as a helicopter pilot in the USA and accompanied me now as a junior pilot. This gave me the opportunity to share with him many valuable experiences of flying helicopters.

A long, long time ago, Madagascar was not only an island full of lemurs and baobab trees but also a secret hideout for pirates! These fearless seafarers, famous for their adventures across the world’s oceans, sought refuge on Madagascar from their pursuers and celebrated their victories there.

I had been asked to take four church workers from the south of Cameroon near to the border with Congo-Brazzaville. Since this was an area where there were occasional skirmishes caused by rebels from the Congo, it was under military control.