Fly-in Service and Parts is Parts

Fly-in Service
Not all maintenance projects are scheduled in advance. It's not uncommon for a local pilot to stop in with a question, for the airport to ask us to assist with an aircraft over at the terminal, or for a transient airplane to arrive on our ramp requesting maintenance assistance.

That happened yesterday with one of the US-based mission airplanes we maintain. The missionary called and reported a strange noise in the aircraft. Tim recommended he bring the aircraft in which the missionary did. After a brief inspection the noise was identified, a repair was made, and the aircraft was returned to service while the missionary waited. It's nice to be able to provide that immediate service to our customers whether missionary or not.

Tim performs maintenance on the missionary Aztec.

Parts Is Parts
Well, that may be true in the old chicken advertisement, but in an airplane not just any part will do and you can't just grind a bunch of parts together and call it an airplane. Well, maybe you can, but it wouldn't be an "airplane" you'd want to fly in.

Part of the job "before the job" of building an engine is making sure you have all the correct parts on hand before building the engine begins. Not only do we locate the correct parts, but our guys also work to find the best price on the parts. Sometimes this takes more times than others, all variables considered. Scott is in that process right now. Responsible for the engine overhauls on LAMP's Cessna 337, Scott is spending considerable time on the computer, emailing and talking with vendors, and purchasing the parts he needs in order to move ahead.

As Josh wraps-up his engine build and clears and cleans the engine shop, Scott's goal is to be ready to move in the engine shop as soon as Josh is out.

Scott orders parts to build the Cessna 337 engines.

Honduran 206
Electrical trouble-shooting is Paul's focus on the Hondruan 206 right now. The first time power is applied to the electrical system of any aircraft that's undergone major electrical renovation or upgrades can sometimes be somewhat exciting. The goal is to make sure, "all the smoke stays inside the wires." And that goal was achieved with the 206. Yet, while keeping the smoke where it should be, there were a couple anomolies with the system that needed to be checked out. It's been a great opportunity for Paul to grow in his understanding of an aircraft's electrical system.

Paul and Dale discuss the Honduran 206's electrical system.

Thanks for being part of these projects and helping prepare a future generation of missionaries through your gifts and your prayers.