Von Daniken, like many of his imitators, sought evidence for ancient visitations in the Bible, especially in such passages as the description of Ezekial's flying chariot.
The reference to flying chariots in the bible inspired the possibility of airplanes. 
mnli hypothesis: The reference to flying chariots in the bible inspired the possibility of airplanes.  premise: Von Daniken, like many of his imitators, sought evidence for ancient visitations in the Bible, especially in such passages as the description of Ezekial's flying chariot.