Video: A Glimpse Into MMS

Here's a video snapshot of what's going on around the hangar right now. The clip provides a glimpse into the types of things you'll see on any given day at our mission and emphasizes the very real nature of the work we do. Whether certificated mechanic, apprentice mechanic, mission administrator, guest, or volunteer...we're all dedicated to helping spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through the use of aviation. We hope you enjoy this peek into our reality as we prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service.

Wednesday Hangar Snapshots

Here are a few snapshots of what's going on around the hangar:

Mark assembles the engine for Brigade Air's 172.

Paul and Jim move Brigade's 172 into Hangar C for paint removal.

The overhauled engines for the 402 have arrived.

Scott and Andy S. troubleshoot GCI's 172.

Paul works with the Gabon 207's engine.

The guys completed the Navajo for Arctic Barnabas.

Arctic Barnabas Piper Navajo RTS Flight

The Navajo made its Return-To-Service flight yesterday afternoon!

In Preparation for Return To Service

Dale and Chuck had the Navajo back outside for additional engine runs yesterday afternoon. Final preparations and adjustments are being made in preparation for today's expected Return-To-
Service flight. Matt, the Navajo's pilot, is down from their base in Alaska to make the flight. Here's a clip of the engine run.

Cake & Ice Cream for Paul

The guys gathered this afternoon to celebrate Paul Jones' completion of apprenticeship with the traditional transfer of the Senior Apprentice Wrench and the eating of ice cream and cake.

Paul shares some of his observations and experiences of the past thirty months.

Paul hands the title of Senior Apprentice, and the symbol of the office--the large adjustable wrench, to Andy Porter who will remain Senior Apprentice until he finishes his apprenticeship later this year.

As Andy is from the United Kingdom (and the next apprentice in line, Mark Beckwith, is too) the Senior Apprentice Wrench will now be known as the Senior Apprentice "Spanner."

Director of Training, Bob Schwartz, cuts the cake and Director of Maintenance, Tim Obarow, dishes up the ice cream.

Celebrating with Paul.

It's always a special day when an apprentice completes service with MMS and moves on to continued missionary work as part of a field organization. Paul has been accepted as a pilot/mechanic with Missionary Air Group and will pioneer a new flight program in Guatemala.

Ice Cream for Ian & Navajo Engine Run

There was excitement in the hangar for a couple reasons Friday afternoon: 1) the Navajo project for Arctic Barnabas is getting near completion as Dale and Tim pulled the airplane out of the hangar to run the engines, and 2) the anticipation of eating cake and ice cream to honor one of our long-term staff, Ian Hengst.

Ian

Ian came to MMS after twelve years of service with Missionary Flights International and has served as staff with MMS for nine years. MFI recently invited Ian to return to Florida in order to serve as their Director of Maintenance. MFI operates four DC-3s in support of more than 700 missionary families in Haiti, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic. After prayerful consideration Ian has accepted that position and has rejoined MFI, though he'll still be in the area for a short time tying up loose ends before making the move south.

Gathering as a group to share in cake and ice cream as staff depart or as apprentices finish their thirty months of service has become something of a tradition at MMS. It was our privilege to spend this special time with Ian. While we feel God has specifically prepared Ian for this new role, and are excited for this new opportunity, we'll very much miss having him in our hangar as staff, brother, and friend.

But before we broke for the cake & ice cream, Dale and Tim had the Navajo outside to run the engines. The target for completion is Wednesday when the airplane is scheduled for IFR certification at another aviation facility north of here.

Tim & Dale in the Navajo cockpit.

Thanks for your interest and involvement as we continue to prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service.

One Aztec, One Navajo, One Skipper and a CEO

No, it's not a meeting of Native Americans and Alan Hale, Jr. (Gilligan's "Skipper"), it's just another day at MMS preparing people and planes for worldwide mission service.

The Aztec belongs to The Pfeifers, a Southern Gospel singing group, who use the airplane as transportation between the various venues and events they have scheduled all across the United States. Andy S., our newest apprentice, is breaking in as part of the crew conducting the Aztec's annual inspection.

Andy S. and Terry repair engine baffling on the Aztec.

The Navajo belongs to Arctic Barnabas, a ministry of encouragement and support to missionaries in remote, inland Alaska. The overhauled left engine is on the airframe, the crew door is in place, and the annual inspection is nearly finished. As soon as a spinner bulkhead arrives, the airplane will be closed up, the paperwork completed, and airplane returned to service.

Chuck and the "crew door" he installed on the Navajo.

The Skipper is a local, non-mission airplane, that we're inspecting and repairing. Mike, Mark, Jim, Andy, and Paul G. have worked their way over the airplane and through its various systems and structures for three weeks now. The project should be wrapped up and back in its hangar "across the field" any day now.

Jim makes some adjustments on the Skipper's engine.

Mark inspects beneath the Skipper's floor panels.

The CEO is Dwight Jarboe, MMS Aviation President & CEO and holder of an FAA mechanic certificate for 42 years. Dwight led the apprentices in a special class on "carburetors" this morning blending "theory" with hangar floor reality.

Dwight explains a diagram as Andy S., Bob, and Andy P. look on and listen in.

There's always something interesting going on around our facility whether administrative or operational, whether dealing with people, with planes, or both people AND planes. Thanks for being part of God's work through your continued interest and involvement.

Cold Air, Warm Sun, Busy Hangar

The sun came out today and it is really nice to see it up there in the blue sky. The air temperature is only 27 degrees as I type, and it's supposed to be back down in the single digits overnight (8 degrees), but when the sun's out it just feels warmer. Really. It looks like we'll have another day of sun before the next weather front (more snow) moves in on Saturday.

But while ice on the ramp may slow us down a bit moving between hangars, inside the hangars activity is as high as ever.

Jim and Paul mount the propeller on the Skipper.

Dale and Chuck discuss how to "fine tune" the vent window in the crew door Chuck's installing on the Navajo.

Mike inspects the instrument panel layout of the 172 to provide design options to the owner.

Thanks for your prayers and gifts which enable us to prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service.

The Storm and The Navajo Engine

The storm arrived as predicted though, around here, it's not quite the "Storm of Historical Proportions" many media outlets, weather prognosticators, and politicians have prepared us for. That being said, "the rest of the story" is supposed to blow through over the next 24 -36 hours.

The freezing rain was real enough though not to the degree of power outages or tree damage. The local street crews have done a good job of keeping the roads passable.

Dave, our Facilities Manager, did a great job on our parking lot and the ramps which otherwise would have been ice skating rinks when we arrived early this morning. Thanks for getting here first, preparing the way, and making it safe to walk from our cars to the facility and between the hangars Dave!

Here are a couple icicle shots of the one airplane that's tied down outside our facility.



Meanwhile, back in Hangar C, the left engine is being hung on the Navajo.

Dale sorts out part of the wiring harness.

Thanks for the part you play in enabling us to prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service.