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.

Fall Colors and Hangar Projects

The fall season is upon us here in east central Ohio with high temperatures in the low 50's and low temps soon to be in the high 30's. And with the late calendar dates and the cooler temperatures come the colors in the leaves of the trees. Here's a sample of the colors we're enjoying not only around the airport, but throughout Coshocton County.

Trees just across the runway

While God is outside painting His creation in bright red, orange, and gold we're inside the hanger preparing His tools for His service.

Dale performs an annual inspection on a missionary Cessna 172.

Andy and Tim continue work on the Honduran 206.

Chuck re-installs the sixth of the eight fuel tanks in the wings of the Canadian 337.

It's a beautiful time to be in this part of the country and it's an exciting time to be in service to our Lord. Thanks for being part of it through your gifts and your prayers.

And Now, Back To Our Regular Programming

With the completion of the King Air, we've returned to our "regular programming" of missionary airplane projects.

Honduran 206

Andy "rigs" one of the 206's flap motors.

Jim adjusts flap rigging as Tim continues with installing the interior.

Canadian 337

Chuck re-installs the fuel tanks after inspection and repair.

Brazilian 206

Paul sprays zinc-oxide paint to help protect structural repairs from corrosion.

King Air Inspection and A Taste of Fall

The guys just wrapped-up the King Air inspection. Everything went well, the inspection provided wonderful experience for our apprentice mechanics, and no major discrepancies were discovered. That being said, the aircraft is waiting for a new part to be delivered and installed before it can be returned to service. It seems a valve in one of the aircraft's systems does need to be replaced.

Tim, Mike, and Andy check the King Air's air-conditioning system.

Ian and Paul inspect an engine as Andy stands by to continue the compressor wash.

After the compressor wash and a/c system checks, the King Air undergoes engine test runs.

MMS Aviation

Some of the fall colors around the airport!