The Brazilian 206, Honduran 206, and Calendar Mailing

While the Canadian 337 project is gaining momentum (the front engine is nearing build-up), the Brazilian 206 is going to dominate the blog for a bit, but that's okay. It's where the majority of our manpower is going once the Honduran 206 is completed later this month.

Logan drives rivets into a new belly skin on the Brazilian 206 as Josh bucks from inside the fuselage.

In Hangar B, Paul J. troubleshoots a leak in the right wing fuel tank of the Brazilian 206, Ian (on the ladder) fits the rudder tip fairing on its vertical stabilizer and, if you look into Hangar A you'll see the 206's fuselage where Logan and Josh are working.

Andy seals the magnetos on the Honduran 206's engine.

But not everything is airplanes at MMS. While Rena was in working on receipting donations received over the past four days, Karen, Dana, and Sherry came in to organize the annual mailing of pocket calendars to MMS supporters.

Karen, Dana, and Sherry organize the annual pocket calendar mailing.

New Skin On The Brazilian 206

Josh finished last week getting new skin prepared for installation on the fuselage of the Brazilian 206. He and Paul J. started this week working together to install the skin on the tail cone. Josh worked outside the tail cone driving the rivets while Paul worked inside bucking the rivets. It takes all kinds of rivets of different shapes, sizes, material, and varied hardness to hold an airplane together.

Josh temporarily fastens the new skin in place with "cleco" fasteners used to secure sheet metal in place for drilling or riveting. Clecos come in all shapes and sizes as required by the job.

Lots of clecos are needed to hold the skin in place.

Josh (outside) drives rivets while Paul J. (inside) bucks the rivets.

A collection of assorted rivets being used on the Brazilian 206.

Walking Through The Shop

Walking through our shop is always interesting. Right now things are literally "coming together" on several fronts.

Paul Gettle has completed his pre-service orientation and will start Basic Training on Monday morning. This afternoon, Bob provided Paul with his study material and instructed him in how to fill out his maintenance log book.

Chuck's inside the Canadian 337 installing the floor panels he just repaired.

Andy touches up some paint on the Honduran 206's fuselage.

Dwight instructs Mark on practical welding techniques as part of Mark's Basic Training process.

Josh prepares to install a new skin on the Honduran 206.

If you're ever east central Ohio, please make a point to stop by our hangar facility in Coshocton and take a walk through the shop. I guarantee you'll find it worth your time.

Five Different Directions

At MMS you can be sure that we're always working in several directions at the same time.

Andy learns by observation as Jim makes alterations to the Honduran 206's instrument panel.

Paul cuts metal to fabricate a repair on the Bakeng Deuce.

Ian hangs control surfaces and airframe components from the Brazilian 206 in the paint booth.

Bob instructs Mark in basic electrical theory.

Chuck fabricates a floor panel repair for the Canadian 337.

Three Airplanes, Four Snapshots

The focus of our manpower is currently split between three projects: The Brazilian 206, the Honduran 206, and the Canadian 337.

Josh finishes assembly of the repaired gear box for the main landing gear of the Brazilian 206.

Josh installs the gear box in the belly of the 206.

Paul cleans airframe components from the Brazilian 206 in preparation for painting. The Honduran 206 is in the background.

Chuck measures the maximum deflection angles of the Canadian 337's left aileron.

The Brazilian 206 Project Moves Ahead

Purchased in pieces in Alaska and trucked down to our hangar last year, restoration of the Cessna 206 for ministry in Brazil has been limited due to more pressing manpower requirements. With return to service of Moody Aviation's Cessna 182 and with the Honduran 206 project nearly completed, work on the Brazilian 206 has moved to the front of the production schedule.

And because we do our work "labor free," airplanes that were scrap, or should be scrapped, are able to be restored and returned to mission service in "like new" condition for far less than what the respective mission would pay to purchase a comparably configured replacement airplane.

Ian, Josh, and Paul are focused on getting this airplane back in the sky. It's quite the project as you'll see from the photos below. The photos are indicative of the level of maintenance we're regularly involved with here at MMS.

The goal is to have this aircraft ready for return to service by the end of March 2010.

Arrival of the airplane from Alaska.

Paul works with the control cables.

Josh fabricates new "skin" as part of repair.

Ian pulls rivets in a repair to one of the 206's two cargo doors.

There are still many parts to inventory, clean, and inspect before learning what components will need to be fabricated in-house or purchased from outside vendors.

Three New Families at MMS

Over the past two months, we've been blessed to welcome three new families to MMS: the Beckwiths, the Gettles, and the Newmans. It's my pleasure to introduce them to you.

Mark, Jenny, and Abigail Beckwith
The Beckwiths come to us from England and are missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship, United Kingdom. They'll spend two and a half years here as an apprentice family helping us maintain missionary aircraft. After completing service with MMS and gaining his FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic certificate, Mark will continue in ministry by joining one of the many MAF flight programs operating in remote locations around the world.

The Beckwiths

Paul, Kristin, Grant, Cole, & and Evan Gettle
The Gettles drove up from Alabama to begin apprenticeship. Before making the move to Coshocton, Paul worked for several years as a quality control inspector for a large company that manufactures the engines used by many missionary airplanes. Paul & Kristin still seek the Lord's will for which mission to join after completing their term with MMS.

The Gettles

Jim, Mary, Jordan, Catherine, and Danielle Newman
Jim & Mary are missionaries with World Gospel Mission and came to us after completing nine years of service with WGM's flight program in Bolivia. Jim is already an experienced A&P mechanic and has come onboard as long-term staff in the role of Production Mechanic. Jim and Mary are maintaining their relationship with WGM and will serve with u in an "on loan" capacity.

The Newmans

We are thankful for the Lord's leading and provision for each of these families. Please keep them in your prayers as they adapt to life in Coshocton and learn the routines of hangar service.