MMS Aviation

No Break In The Weather...No 402 Flight

2012-01-27T08:33:00.000-08:00

The weather's just not giving us a break with rain, snow, low clouds, and icy conditions. With snow flurries predicted for tomorrow as well...things aren't looking good for making a return-to-service flight in the 402 any time soon and Pastor Bell needs to be back in Maine tomorrow to prepare for worship services on Sunday. It looks like he'll be flying home by commercial carrier out of Columbus, not in his own airplane out of Coshocton.

It's been a tough four days of waiting and now the waiting has come an end...but not in the way we would have preferred.

We'll try again when the several days of good weather match up with several days of clear schedule for Pastor Bell.

Still Waiting On Weather With The 402

2012-01-26T05:34:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's predicted weather system has arrived. While last night's "winter weather advisory" has been lifted (replaced with a "flood watch"), we're left with rain and a current air temperature of 33 degrees.

The 402 crew is waiting it out working on other airplanes and hoping tomorrow's prediction of "partly sunny and breezy" comes to pass. The delays (administrative and weather-related) at the end of such a long and challenging project just make it seem like Christmas is tomorrow, but tomorrow always remains one day away no matter how many days you wake up.

The return-to-service and departure of the Cessna 402 will open up a new chapter of maintenance projects as the 402 is the last of the three most recent long-term restoration projects to be completed: The Asas de Socorro amphib 206 is down in Brazil, the Air Calvary 207 is back in Gabon, Africa, and soon..(tomorrow?) the Wings With the Word the 402 will fly.

Waiting on Weather

2012-01-25T05:21:00.000-08:00

After waiting three weeks for the final FAA paperwork to come through confirming the airworthiness of Wings With the Word's Cessna 402, we're now waiting on weather to fly the airplane. Pastor Todd Bell is down from Maine to pilot the aircraft and, after not flying yesterday because of the low, thick clouds...it looks like today could be another day of waiting for tomorrow.

The clouds are predicted to break up this afternoon providing a brief window for flight before the next weather pattern moves in tonight (MORE JANUARY RAIN), but the cloud cover was supposed to break up yesterday afternoon also, and never did.

So much of flying is so much waiting.

The airplane needs to fly for at least two hours to check all the systems and identify any remaining squawks that turn up. We'll see what God has planned.

Pastor Bell inspects the 402.

Working Away on a Tuesday

2012-01-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

It's 44 degrees, the sky is blue, the sun is bright and it seems more like a day in early spring as opposed to mid-winter. The temps do drop into the low twenties overnight, but the light frost left behind is gone soon after the sun rises. This day started a little differently than most as a local business group had breakfast at our hangar and then took a tour of the facility.

International Update
The Cessna 207 we restored for Air Calvary has safely arrived in Gabon, Africa after 8 days and 49 hours of flight! Here's a photo of a local pastor celebrating the airplane's return!

Pastor Sangoye welcomes the Air Calvary Cessna 207 back to Gabon.

Meanwhile, in our own hangar:

Andy, Mark, and Phil work on a local Cessna 310.

Josh readies a freshly reassembled engine for its test run.

Chuck (in the sweatshirt) explains the intricacies of aircraft hardware to Jake, MMS' newest apprentice.

Ben waxes the 402 before rolling it outside.

Mike enters the 402 to conduct its final post-inspection engine runs.

Field Report from Brazil: First Mission Flight of the Cessna 206

2012-01-06T14:07:00.000-08:00

Here's the "first mission flight" report with photos from Ryan Joy, MMS Aviation graduate and Chief Engineer, with Asas De Socorro in Brazil. From Ryan Joy:

Good morning,

Last week I was invited to accompany one of our pilots Tim Ault in picking up a missionary from the interior of the Amazon. I don’t get many opportunities to go along and so I accepted the invitation. Our destination was an hour and a half flight Northeast of Manaus to a small village called Kassawa’. The people in the village have had the New Testament translated in there language Hixkariana but it is out of date and needs to be revised. There is a New Tribes Mission family and a single woman Maria that have been working on the revision for the last 10 years. During conversations to plan the trip we decided to use our newest Cessna 206 N5209X that had just arrived two weeks earlier to make the flight. With a better instrument panel, more comfortable seats that are safer in the event of an accident, a more powerful motor, and amphibious floats that allow the plane to land on water or land. The plane was an easy choice.

Missionary Maria

Tim and I departed from the hanger at 9:00 am and Tim wanting to practice landings in a short area (Kassawa’ has a river that has two bends one on each side of the village with rocks in the water making the landing area small.) we made 4 take-offs and landings in front of the Hanger. We then proceeded to the air club airport that is close to our house and again since the landing strip is very short Tim wanted to simulate short landings to see how the wheels that are deployed from floats would handle the strip in Kassawa’.(Rachel and the kids were able to watch us take off several times as we flew over the house) On the first landing the plane stopped in an adequate distance for Kassawa’ but what really caught my eye was the number of people that stopped what they were doing to admire the plane. In my experience any one that works in aviation usually will stop what they are doing to look anytime a plane is flying over and at an airport a new airplane will draw that much more attention. After making 4 take offs and landings with a crosswind no less we stopped to look at the weather and lots of people came around to admire the new plane. One of the guys asked if the plane was an H model ( The H model is the newest 206 model that is still in production) and other people asked other questions about the airplane. On a funny note when Tim and Marcio were bringing the plane down from the States they had bought some chocks with the manufacturers name on them. The name of the manufacturer is ASA and being that our mission name is ASAS someone thought we had personalized chocks made. He said “Where did you get those chocks they cost an arm and a leg here in Brazil to have made.”

The river approach at Kasawa. The village is in the center right section of the photo.

After making a cursory look at the weather and filing a flight plan Tim said we were ready for departure. N5209X lifted off at about 11:30 am with two aboard heading Northwest at 90 knots. We were bucking a 15 knot head wind but the ride was smooth. The airplane is a pleasure to fly, many times Tim would take his hands off the control yoke and the plane would fly straight and level with no tendencies to one side or the other. The instrumentation is some of the best in terms of functioning that Tim has ever flown with. Normally here in Manaus we put up with instruments that have some bearing noise but none of that is evident in N5209X’s instruments. The engine monitor (MVP-50) is easy to read and once the pilot get used to it, it becomes very helpful during the flight as it gives a lot of information about how the engine is running. The engine runs as smoothly as a turbine with no vibration felt in the cabin and burns less fuel. Using the engine monitor we were able to make adjustments so that 12.5 gallons an hour were consumed at 75% Which is about a half to a gallon an hour less than the older original engine and we gain 10 horse power to boot. We finally arrived at Kassawa’ about ten minutes later than planed because of the head wind. It was my first time to visit the village but as with other villages the people were all out on the bank waiting for us. As we pulled up to the dock I was surprised at amount of cell phones that were filming our entrance. There were about 20 children and teens on the dock and several phones all taking pictures. (there is one phone in the village it is a payphone that sends its signal via satellite I don’t think there was cell phone coverage there. ) For the most part the villagers just watched us as we met Maria and loaded her bags. Some of them spoke Portuguese but for the most part they only speak their own language.

The Kassawa reception committee.

When it was time to go we climbed into the plane and I noticed that as with most runways we had obstacles that needed to be cleared. There are two bends in the river that limit the take of run but it is the rocks at the one end that really are the incentive to get off in a certain distance. there are are of coarse trees all around as well so Tim had to think out how we would take off. He spoke aloud “ok I want to be up on the step here. This will be our abort point. We will start our run around the bend and be off before the abort point.” I was thinking the whole time boy this looks like a short runway and those are tall trees. Maria the single missionary was very calm and so I chatted with her a little about how long she was there in the village to which she replied 10 years and that she was working on the revision of the New Testament. She said the people are very receptive to the gospel and that they also intermarry with the Wai-Wais a group of Indians that received the Bible in its entirety.

Ryan, Maria, and Tim

The Floats are incredible as they get up on the step almost immediately and with the more powerful engine the plane was off the water and into the air long before the abort point. On the way home Tim explained that he wanted to test the airplane and run one tank dry before switching to the other that way all the fuel would stay concentrated and it would actually be safer later on. I must admit I don’t like running the tank dry in my car let alone the airplane but curiosity got the best of me and I wanted to see what would happen. (My life insurance in Christ is paid in full) The engine monitor shows when you get low on fuel by the number turning red on the screen and the numbers of gallons finally went to 0.0 and stayed there. We flew almost all the way home on that tank until we were on final and Tim said he needed to switch tanks for safety sake. We never did run the tank dry. We finally made it back to Manaus and instead of lowering a cart down the ramp to pull the plane up we motored up the ramp using the engine. It was a good trip, the plane proved that it will be a huge blessing in terms of comfort and safety and the smile on Maria's face as she stepped out on to solid ground was worth the trip in its self. I want to thank everyone that had a hand in putting this plane together. The pilots Tim and Marcio have already grown to appreciate the planes capabilities. The Lord has blessed Asas with this piece of equipment and me as well to be able to accompany the plane on it’s first mission flight.

Lord Bless you all and a Happy new year!

Ryan

News From Brazil: PT-MMS Takes Off On Its First Mission!

2011-12-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

I'm passing along a message from Rachel Joy, wife of Asas de Socorro Chief Engineer (and MMS grad) Ryan Joy, about the Cessna 206 we restored for them and which recently arrived at their base in Brazil.

Rachel has some exciting news to share--The 206 is to take off on its first mission flight today! From Rachel:

Hello All:

Ryan called home at 9am and all is set -- the new plane, soon to be PT-MMS, is in the water, fueled up and ready to take off for its first mission flight today from our base on the outskirts of Manaus. Tim is piloting the plane, this time headed over the Amazon, not the Caribbean! And Ryan is accompanying him!

Tim will do some training at the local airclub then they'll head to the Nhamundá River, where they'll pick up some missionaries in Kassawá, bringing them back to the city. If you want you can follow them on the SPOT at www.adsfrota.blogspot.com clicking where it says PT-MMS (novo avião). This is where I'll track them today! Lord willing, by 4pm, they will land back out at our hangar.

Hope to send you fotos from this first mission soon-told Ryan not to fall off the floats into the river with the camera!(He did that once a long time ago!) Ryan is excited to be able to participate in this first official mission flight for the new plane. Thank you all for the part you had in it!

Update to come. Working Together Till Jesus comes, Rachel

Lord willing, we'll have some of those photos to post soon!

Closing-out 2011

2011-12-21T10:23:00.000-08:00

With the Gabon 207 headed to Africa and the Asas 206 safely in Brazil, with two new long-term aircraft projects already arrived, an annual inspection underway, and GCI's 310 back in the hangar, the 402 project continues to inch toward completion.

And as I type this, Andy Porter, our latest apprentice to complete the program, is undergoing his FAA Oral & Practical Exam to receive his Airframe & Powerplant mechanic's certificate.

Here's a video clip of the 402's post-inspection engine runs:

Lord willing, we'll have it up in the air early next year.

Asas 206

Here's the Asas 206 landing on the Amazon River in Manaus.

Here's the airplane in its hangar.

Hangar A

We have three airplanes up front.

GCI's Cessna 310 is in the foreground. It's in for an avionics cooling fan to be installed. The QRCBC SR-22, centered in the photo, is opened up for annual inspection under Chuck and Geoff's care, and Amazon Salt & Light's Cessna 185 is in the background.

Hangar B

Mark works on the heating system on Wings With the Word's Cessna 402.

The Asas 206 Departs for Ministry in Brazil!

2011-12-14T12:24:00.000-08:00

Wednesday Hangar Update

2011-12-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

AndyPorter has completed apprenticeship, the Brazil 206 should depart for Brazil tomorrow, the Cessna 402 is nearly ready for its return to service flight, the King Air is waiting on parts, and the next two aircraft projects have arrived.

Mark Beckwith: Senior Apprentice
Part of the recognition when an apprentice completes their thirty months and 4,800 hours of aviation maintenance experience, is the transfer of the title of "Senior Apprentice" from the apprentice that's completed the program to the next apprentice to finish the program. That "wrench ceremony" took place on Monday as Andy Porter passed the Sr. Spanner (that's UK English for "wrench") to Mark and his daughter Abigail.

Mark & Abigail receive the "spanner" from Andy Porter.

Asas de Socorro Amphibious Cessna 206
As I type this, the Asas de Socorro 206 is outside, its engine at idle, as the two pilots from Brazil prepare for more familiarization flights with the airplane. The airplane was dedicated for service Monday afternoon and the plan is for them to start their flight to Brazil tomorrow morning, weather permitting.

The Asas 206 is dedicated for service.

Dwight Jarboe, left, accepts a plaque of appreciation from Ryan Joy, MMS graduate and Director of Maintenance for Asas de Socorro.

The guys from Asas explained that this airplane is slated to provide aviation services to 450 churches along the Amazon River and that one, forty-five minute flight can save 16 hours of dangerous travel on the Amazon.

Wings With The Word's Cessna 402
The 402 is nearly ready for its return to service flight. The oil is in its engines, the weight & balance process is complete, and the guys are just tidying up the last few nuts, bolts, and screws before filling the airplane's fuel tanks and conducting the post inspection engine runs.

WWtW's Cessna 402

Gospel Carrier International, King Air 200
GCI's King Air is back for some electrical troubleshooting. The guys have identified the problem and ordered the parts.

GCI's King Air 200

New Project: Amazon Salt & Light Cessna 185
Amazon Salt & Light just shipped their Cessna 185 up to us to inspect, repair, and reassemble. AS&L works closely with Asas de Socorro in Brazil.

Here's a shot of the guys unloading the Cessna 185 from a big rig's trailer.

New Project: Kissito Cessna 206
This airplane was damaged in a wind storm in Virginia and shipped to us for complete restoration and repair.

Notice that the tail is in front of the airplane's nose.

Thanks for your prayers and gifts which make it possible for MMS to prepare tomorrow's missionary airplane mechanics through returning today's missionary airplanes to the field service.

The Cessna 402 Is Back On Its Landing Gear

2011-11-23T10:28:00.000-08:00

It won't be long before this Cessna is back in mission service.

Staff Feature: Mike & Isobel Dunkley

2011-11-15T07:35:00.000-08:00

Here's a short video feature on one of our long-term staff couples, Mike & Isobel Dunkley.

Video: The RTS Flight of the Gabon 207

2011-11-08T10:54:00.000-08:00

Here's the video of the Gabon 207's Return To Service (RTS) flight:

The Gabon 207 Returns to Service!

2011-11-04T14:36:00.000-07:00

After seven months of restoration and repair, Steve Straw, Air Calvary's pilot, lifted the 207 into the perfectly blue sky over Coshocton this afternoon for the aircraft's initial flight. After testing every aspect of the aircraft's performance, Steve brought the 207 back to our hangar, loaded the last of his gear, and flew the airplane to Pennsylvania to share it with several church congregations.

Prepared for departure

Fueling up

Off to Pennsylvania

Next week, Steve will bring the airplane back to MMS and drop it off as he returns to Gabon ahead of the 207. Another pilot will fly the 207 to Kansas to be fitted with long-range fuel tanks for its own flight back to Gabon, Africa in the near future.

Lord willing, I'll be able to put some video of the flight together late next week.

Thanks for all your prayers, gifts, emails, and encouragements over this project. It's always a joy to see a badly damaged aircraft return to service in an "as new" condition.

Andy Swanson: MMS Apprentice Mechanic

2011-11-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a chance for you to meet one of our apprentice mechanics, Andy Swanson! Andy Swanson and family came over from Scotland in partnership with MAF-United Kingdom. In the video, Andy talks about two of the projects he's working on and explains how the aviation maintenance experience he's gaining through apprenticeship will prepare him for long-term service on the mission field.

Chad 206 Restoration

2011-10-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a video that covers one of our projects from start to finish. This MAF airplane operated in Chad, Africa, and was damaged in a wind storm. MAF disassembled the airplane, secured it in a shipping container, and shipped it to us for restoration and repair. This is the type of work we regularly do and it illustrates the depth of aviation maintenance experience our apprentice mechanics regularly receive.

Gabon 207's Initial Engine Run

2011-10-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

It's nothing fancy but here's a quick clip of the Gabon 207's initial engine run this afternoon. Lord willing, the 207 will be in the air next week. Steve Straw, missionary pilot of the airplane, is here to conduct the flights.

Friday Snapshots

2011-10-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Summer has temporarily returned to the Midwest with clear sky and temps into the 80's. It's kind of nice as the past weekend was wet, cold, and rather dreary. Right now there's blue sky as far as the eye can see and sun so bright you have to squint when going outside.

The trees have started to turn color with some gold and red leaves mixed in with the green. It gets very pretty up here when the trees reach peak color. Yes, we're officially in fall and it's a great time to have all the hangar doors open. They'll be closed long enough soon enough, I'm afraid.

Here are a couple snapshots of progress on the Gabon 207 and the Wings With The Word 402. Also, we sent another mission airplane back into service today, the Brigade Air 172.

The Gabon 207

The 207 is very close to flight. The wings are on, the control surfaces are hung, and the interior is being installed. Lord willing, it'll be back in the air over the next couple weeks.

Hanging one of the propellers on the Cessna 402

The Cessna 402

The Cessna 402 is back on its wheels, its propellers are in place, and is only a few more structural repairs away from rolling out into the sunshine and leaping into the sky.

Speaking of leaping into the sky...

Brigade Air's Cessna 172

Brigade's 172 was back in our hangar for annual inspection these past couple weeks. With the inspection completed the 172 is once again enjoying some air time.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for your interest and involvement with us as we prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service.

GCI's King Air Returns To Service

2011-10-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

We've had a flurry of activity around here the past couple of weeks. Here's a clip of one of the airplanes we've recently returned to service: Gospel Carrier International's Super King Air 200.

The Asas 206 Takes Off!

2011-09-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

We're in an exciting time at MMS with three major projects all coming to completion within weeks of each other. The wings are going on the Gabon 207 so it can be ready to fly in October, the landing gear repairs are being completed on Wings With The Word's Cessna 402 so it can fly next month as well, and the amphibious Cessna 206 for use in Brazil by Asas de Socorro, is now flying!

It's fun to see the airplanes fly!

Pushing The 402 Toward Completion

2011-09-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Mike's team of mechanics is pushing hard to have Wings With the Word's Cessna 402 project completed by the end of October.

Note added 2/22/11: The orange vests that Mike, Andy, and Mark are wearing while rigging the landing gear let everyone else in the hangar know that they are not to be talked to, disturbed, interrupted, or otherwise distracted while performing their tasks. The orange vests create a situation where the respective maintenance crew can be completely focused on the job at hand. We call it "Going Orange". Each crew that "goes orange" designates a contact person, not involved in the task, through whom all communication can be directed.

The orange vests can also be used in administrative applications.

We've found the simple system to work rather well.

Snapshot Session

2011-09-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Things remain busy in our three hangars with painting completed on the Gabon 207, structural repairs continuing on the Cessna 402, scheduled maintenance being conducted on GCI's King Air, and quick in-and-out repairs on the Pfiefer's Aztec and GCI's Cessna 310.

Jim continues to build the nav/com stack for the Cessna 402.

GCI's King Air is in for scheduled maintenance.

Bob conducts maintenance on the King Air's right engine.

Andy performs maintenance on the King Air's left engine.

After troubleshooting some "squawks," GCI's Cessna 310 returns to service.

Terry makes repairs to Pfeifer Evangelical Association's Aztec.

The Pfeifer's Aztec returns to service.

Rigging The Landing Gear of GCI's Cessna 310

2011-09-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a video clip of our staff and apprentice mechanics working together to rig the landing gear of GCI's Cessna 310 during it's annual inspection.

The STC Kodiak Visits MMS

2011-08-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Spokane Turbine Center's Kodiak arrives at MMS.

Last week there was an air of excitement around the hangar as Spokane Turbine Center brought their Quest Kodiak in for a visit. After spending the weekend at Missions Fest, in Lancaster, PA, as part of a missions display, the STC crew stopped by our hangar facility to renew relationships, tour the facility, and provide flights for MMS personnel and family.

STC provides flight training for Kodiak operators and provides mission-specific training for mission aviation organizations around the world. We partner with STC through providing maintenance on their Kodiak when they're in the area.

The Kodiak is the first airplane designed by missionaries for mission aviation and is a unique blending of high technology and real-world utility. More and more mission agencies are purchasing Kodiaks in order to put them to Kingdom work in some of the most remote and challenging locations in the world.

Through STC's generosity, many of our families were able to enjoy their first flight in a Kodiak. Thanks, STC!

Some of our family members prepare for their flight.

The Kodiak exits our ramp for the active taxiway.

STC's Kodiak takes off.

The Kodiak, coming soon to a mission aviation program near you!

The 207's Airframe Repairs Are Complete!

2011-08-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

It may look like there's a lot left to do on the airplane and, in a sense, there is but a major milestone was reached today with the Cessna 207 restoration project for Air Calvary.

We hope you enjoy this video clip celebrating the work accomplished over the past six months and setting the stage for what lies ahead.

Partnerships: Pfeifer Evangelical Association

2011-08-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

At MMS, we partner with many different ministries. In fact, over the past 36 years, we've partnered with 96 different ministries through providing critically needed maintenance services and support. Each ministry partnership is unique yet has the common tie of aviation.

One of the ministries with which we're in active partnership is the Pfeifer Evangelical Association. Here's a video clip featuring "The Pfeifers", the music they play, the airplane they fly, and some of the services we provide.

Landing Gear, Batteries, and Oil Changes, Oh My!

2011-08-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

Checking landing gear rigging is part of the annual inspection process for GCI's Cessna 310. Under Tim and Scott's supervision, apprentice mechanics Ben, Andy, and Paul G. gained some great maintenance experience checking tensions, pressures, limits of travel, and various linkages, and developed a high level of appreciation for how a tiny adjustment in one part of a complex system can have a major impact in another part of the system.

Andy measures the release tension on the right main gear "down-lock" to make sure it's within limits.

Finished with the landing gear, Ben moved on perform engine maintenance.

In between their other tasks, several apprentices are also learning proper methods of battery servicing and "rejuvenation". If you have the time (and it does take time), it is possible to rejuvenate a tired battery, bring it back to health over the course of several days, and save the resources that would otherwise go to purchasing a replacement battery.

Mark checks the fluid in a battery undergoing rejuvenation.

Bob Schwartz, MMS Training Director, has initiated a program where our apprentice mechanics gain several hours of ground school and flight orientation to better help them understand how their maintenance integrates with aircraft operation. Ben Fisher, one of our apprentice mechanics, is also a Certified Flight Instructor. He recently led a class on radio navigation to help the apprentices understand how pilots use VOR's to determine their location in flight.

Ben leads a class in the theory of radio navigation.

The Pfeifer Evangelical Association flew their Aztec in for an oil change and some troubleshooting. The oil change was routine but the troubleshooting indicated the alternator on the Aztec's left engine needed repair. After the repair was made, the airplane was returned to service.

The Pfeifer's Aztec returns to service.

The variety of maintenance tasks that happen in our hangar every day is wide and varied providing a unique environment in which our apprentices can grow into professional, competent and confident mechanics.Thanks for being part of this process through your ongoing gifts and your prayers.

Heading Into The Weekend

2011-08-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

As we head into the weekend, I'd like to leave you with the latest video of the Cessna 207 we're restoring for Air Calvary's use in Gabon, Africa. Removing the damaged tail cone was the beginning of the final major structural task in the restoration. Yes, there's still a couple more months worth of work to complete, but once the new tail cone is in place the fuselage can be repainted and the wings and control surfaces and all the other major components can come together in the most literal fashion.

Thanks for your ongoing prayers for this project, our mechanics, and our ministry.

Manpower Is Poured On The 207 And The 310

2011-08-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

Air Calvary Cessna 207
Dale and his maintenance crew crew continue to push Air Calvary's 207 restoration toward completion. Since our last blog post the damaged tail cone was removed from the fuselage and assembly of the new tail cone has begun. Also, with the new rear, wing-spar carry-through installed, the guys spent a good portion of today test fitting the wings.

Chuck, Josh, Dale, and Andy S. finish removing the 207's damaged tail cone.

Dale and Andy discuss the next step in assembling the new tail cone.

Jim, Josh, Phil, Andy, Dale, and Chuck install the 207's right wing.

Phil and Chuck secure the left wing strut in place.

After the test fit, the wings will come off again and be set aside until the final few weeks of the project. After the remaining structural repairs are completed and the fuselage has been re-painted, the wings will go back on and be rigged for its October return to service flights.

GCI Cessna 310
Gospel Carrier International's Cessna 310 is back in the hangar for its annual inspection. Scott is overseeing the crew and providing instruction on the inspection process.

Paul and Andy P. inspect and test the 310's landing gear retraction system.

Scott inspects the 310's nose gear assembly.

Thanks for your continued interest, gifts, and prayers that make it possible for each of us to use our God given gifts to prepare airplanes and our apprentice mechanics for service on the mission field.

Video Update on the Gabon 207

2011-07-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest video on the Gabon 207 restoration project. Dale's crew has really hit their stride and are on track to have this project wrapped up early this fall. I was down in the hangar yesterday shooting fresh footage of the guys removing the tail cone.

A 310, A 182, And A 207

2011-07-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Gospel Carrier International's Cessna 310 Arrives.
With the arrival of GCI's Cessna 310 for annual inspection, GCI's 172 Cessna departed, but yes, the hangar is still filled with Cessnas.

GCI's Cessna 31o is the twin-engine airplane on the left.

Work On The 182 Continues
Mike, Jim, Andy P., Mark, Paul, and Ben continue to push the Cessna 182's annual inspection toward completion. Some corroded components needed to be replaced, work on the nose gear was completed, some discrepancies were found in the exhaust system, and some structural repairs are being taken care of inside the cabin. The project is providing good operational maintenance experience for our apprentices.

Mark works with the 182's exhaust system.

Paul performs maintenance on the 182's nose gear.

Continued Progress On The Gabon 207
Another major step was initiated today on the Gabon 207 as the tail cone was removed from the cabin portion of the fuselage. The tail cone was substantially damaged in the airplane's forced landing and with its removal, the way is cleared for this last major component repair.

Chuck, Josh, and Dale begin removing the tail cone of the 207.

Chuck and Josh remove skin panels as Dale drills-out additional rivets.

Dave & Guido
Part of the recent "Raise The Roof" fundraising effort was to purchase a newer piece of equipment for mowing and snow removal. After extensive research, a barely-used Kubota F3060 was purchased. The F3060 has since been affectionately named "Guido" after a similar looking character in the original "Cars" animated movie. Dave is greatly enjoying the power and torque generated by its 30 horsepower diesel engine.

Dave puts Guido through its paces.

Thanks for your gifts and prayers which make our ministry possible. We couldn't be here doing what we're doing without you back there doing what you're doing!

Cessnas Everywhere

2011-07-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

All three of our hangars are loaded with Cessnas right now.

In Hangar A we have three Cessnas being worked on--two Cessna 172's and a 182.

Three Cessnas in Hangar A

Ben and Mark inspect the 182's air box.

In Hangar B the amphibious Brazilian 206 waits for its return-to-service flights while the Cessna 402 waits on parts and funding.

The Cessna 402 and 206 in Hangar B

In Hangar C, MMS grad and Missionary Aviation Group member, Paul Jones continues to work on their Cessna 206 for Guatemala. He's currently installing the cargo pod on the belly of the aircraft.

MAG's 206 with cargo pod.

Also in Hangar C, the Gabon Gabon 207's static system is being tested while structural repairs continue.

Dale tests the 207's static system as Phil assists inside the fuselage.

Chuck drills-out rivets to facilitate the removal and replacement of the 207's rear, wing spar carry-through which was cracked in four places.

Thanks for your gifts and prayers that make it possible for us to serve so many different ministries, in so many different ways, for the same purpose: to speed and spread the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard.

Video Update on the Cessna 402

2011-07-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

The engines are on and the main landing gear is in the Cessna 402!

The Gabon 207 Is on Its Landing Gear

2011-06-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

A major milestone was reached on the Gabon 207 project as the landing gear repair and re-installation was completed.

Thank you for your prayers and gifts making progress on this project possible.

Restoration of Brigade Air's Cessna 172

2011-06-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

After several months of inspection, restoration and repair, Brigade Air's Cessna 172 was recently dedicated for ministry.

GCI's King Air Arrives for Maintenance

2011-06-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick video clip of Gospel Carrier International's Super King Air 200 being positioned in Hangar A after it arrived for scheduled maintenance.We expect the the aircraft to be with us for 1-2 weeks.

A Graduate In Action On The Field

2011-06-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

This is fun! Here's a clip of one of our MMS graduates, Brian Pottinger, landing his Cessna 208 in Anggruk, a village located in the central highland area of Papua, Indonesia. Brian and his family serve with Associated Mission Aviation (AMA). This landing strip is very typical for mountainous flight operations.

Thanks for helping prepare families like the Pottingers for service in remote locations around the world through your prayers and gifts in support of our ministry here in Coshocton, Ohio.

Report From Zambia, Africa

2011-06-01T05:32:00.000-07:00

(Here's a report from Josh & Paul updating us on their work in Zambia, Africa. This blog originally appeared as a post on Adelsbergers in Aviation.)

First Service Flight

The 207 was loaded up and prepped for its first real service flight since the new engine was installed. For those of you who are thinking "I wouldn't want to be on the first flight," let me reassure you that the engine has been checked and double checked. We've completed several hours of runs on the test stand, in the plane on the ground and a return to service check flight.

Loading baggage and cargo for the early morning flight.

The couple being flown are from an organization called "Brass Tacks." Brass Tacks sends out missionaries with construction skills all over the world on short term trips. This couple and the two guys we will be flying back with on Friday were involved with building a new cafeteria for the mission's school.

Boarding the 207

After load the baggage and passengers and allowing the engine and turbo to warm up to operational temperature John Louden and the 207 were off. It is around a 3 hour flight to Lusaka.

Departure

Today with both planes gone Paul and I will work on breaking down the old 207 engine and packaging it for return to MMS.

Check back again tomorrow for a few final random photos and thoughts.

Josh

Rapid Response To Zambia, Africa

2011-05-24T06:19:00.000-07:00

Josh and Paul are completing their second week of a four week Rapid Response trip to Zambia, Africa to assist Christian Missions in Many Lands (CMML) with an engine exchange on their Cessna 207.

Josh actually overhauled the engine in 2009 and shipped it over to CMML just for this occassion. CMML knew their current engine would soon need overhaul and, to keep the aircraft's down time to a minimum, asked MMS to prepare its replacement engine well ahead of time so it would be on hand when needed. (If you click here and then advance through the newer blog posts you'll be able to follow the progress of the engine overhaul in 2009.)

And then, when it was time for replacement, Josh and Paul were invited over to do the installation.

The old engine is removed from the 207.

Paul installs accessories on the MMS-overhauled engine.

The new engine rests in the engine compartment.

Please pray for Josh and Paul as they complete their work in Zambia and for the families they've left behind for this month of overseas service.

Tennsmith Slip Roll

2011-05-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

MMS was recently blessed by the delivery of a Tennsmith slip roll. Already having several Tennsmith sheet meal tools in our hangar, we're familiar with their high-quality workmanship. We are very thankful to Tennsmith for their help in making it possible to add this slip roll to our shop.

The slip roll enables us to shape sheet metal to precise curves in less time and with less effort than before thereby conserving material and manpower. This will help us decrease the downtime of aircraft while increasing the fabrication services we're able to provide mission aviation.

Dave unloads the slip roll stand.

The slip roll.

Dave completes initial assembly. Notice the Tennsmith shear and hand brake in the background!

Thanks, Tennsmith!

Restoration and Repair

2011-05-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

At the moment, we're enjoying sunshine, blue sky, warmer temps, our new roof, and our new hangar door. In fact, it almost finally feels and looks like spring. Not bad for the middle of May!

Here's a high angle view of the new door and and roof.

It's quite the door, isn't it?

Yet with the change in weather, our long-term projects continue to be long-term. Intricate, time consuming repairs need to be made and it takes great patience and attention to the smallest detail.

Jim builds a communication harness for the Brigade 172 wire by single wire.

Mark solders a single wire in preparation for making a repair to an engine sending unit for Wings With The Word's Cessna 402.

Andy S. installs, twists, and tightens one nut and one bolt at a time in hard to reach places and tight spaces as part of the intensive restoration of the Air Calvary 207.

Patience and perseverance are critical components of a mechanic's skill set. It almost never fails that when we rush a repair, we create the necessity for a larger repair. It sometimes takes a year or longer, and thousands of man-hours, to fully restore and repair an airplane.

It's like that in relationships too. Healing and restoration take time. Shattered hearts and broken lives aren't "fixed" with a quick patch and a piece of tape. God is in the business of restoring people to right relationship with Him, of creating wholeness from brokenness, and providing hope where no hope can otherwise be found. It can take a lifetime to restore a soul and required the life of His son, Jesus, to open restoration's door.

At MMS we're in the business of restoring the airplanes that carry God's people to share God's hope with those most desperately in need of what only God can deliver. Thanks for your prayers and gifts which enable us to do so.

Cessna 402 and 207 Video Update

2011-05-03T09:24:00.000-07:00

Be watching for further updates on these two critical projects.

Looking Forward to Spring

2011-04-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some end-of-the-week snaps from the hangar. Rumor is we're finally going to have some sun and spring-like warm temperatures over the weekend. Everyone around here will certainly enjoy that! No tornadoes here, just lots of continual rain, wind, and/or clouds. Summer may arrive before spring really starts.

Dale provides instruction to Andy on some airframe repairs inside the Gabon 207.

Josh bolts the engine into the Gabon 207.

Scott takes care of some fabrication on an elevator for the Brigade 172 while Terry makes repairs to its air-box.

Tim provides instruction to Ben, our newest apprentice. Ben is currently working his way through Basic Training before starting on the hangar floor.

Dave deposits the last of the scrap from the Raise The Roof project into the dumpster!

Hangar Construction, New Door and King Air Repair

2011-04-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Hangar Construction
The hangar construction project has moved into a new phase. With the door installation complete, with the final trim pieces being installed around the hangar roof edges, our contractor brought in his demo specialist to remove the steel tracking for the old segmented, rolling doors and to improve the ramp conditions leading into Hangar A.

The current concrete transition between ramp and hangar is short and steep and creates a challenge to overcome when moving aircraft into the hangar. It will be much easier to position aircraft with the door tracks gone and the slope into the hangar extended in length and reduced in degree.

Here's the Bobcat with jack hammer at work on the old steel door tracking.

Close up of the jack hammer

Here's the new hangar door opened up!

Gospel Carrier King Air Repair
The Gospel Carrier International King Air arrived today for an unscheduled repair. They'd experienced environmental control issues with the airplane's air-conditioning system while on their current cross-country evangelical crusade (Arkansas, Texas, California, Utah, and Illinois are five of the states they've visited so far) arriving here in Coshocton, Ohio this morning.

Tim and Mark immediately started the troubleshooting process, quickly isolated the issue, and repaired the problem enabling GCI to return to the tour, keep their scheduled meetings, and complete their trip with increased cabin comfort. It's a blessing to be able to serve this ministry through providing critically needed short-term and long range maintenance services free of labor charges. Thank you for your gifts and prayers which make this possible.

Tim troubleshoots the problem while Mark operates switches and knobs in the cockpit.

The 402's Engines Are Being Rigged

2011-04-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

Friday was a big day as both engines were hung on the Cessna 402. The guys are busy this week hooking up hoses, running lines, and adjusting control linkages to bring the engines back to life. With the spar straps installed, the engines nestled back in their nacelles, and the annual inspection well underway, the momentum pushing this project toward completion continues to build.

Mike hoists the right engine in place as Andy P. and Mark provide guidance.

Clearing lines, hoses, and linkages out of the way.

Inserting engine mount bolts.

On Monday, Mike used the left engine as a teaching tool for a class on turbo-charging systems.

The New Roof Is Going On!

2011-04-15T11:20:00.002-07:00

As I sit in upstairs in my office, it sounds like there's a herd of elephants rampaging overhead! A herd of elephants that use drills and tools and power equipment of various sizes and shapes. There's a lot of banging and driving of screws and moving around up there. The construction crew is blazing away on the roof installation as I type. They're making great progress while the sun is shining as it's supposed to get wet and windy overnight and through tomorrow.

It's exciting to have the project coming so close to completion. Lord willing we'll be able to use our front hangar again by the end of next week.

Rolls of insulation ready to be taken topside.

Additional rolls of insulation inside Hangar A. How's that new door looking on the left of the frame?

Removing the old roof panels.

The crew chief takes care of the edge-work.

There's a whole lot of sunshine spilling in!

A workman tapes off the crossbeams before laying a roll of insulation in place.

Thanks for your gifts and prayers that have made this project possible!

Hangar Door Installation

2011-04-14T05:39:00.000-07:00

The new hangar door has been installed on Hangar A! It's been a challenging week or so of wet, rainy, windy weather for the construction crew but the door is up, the insulation is in, and the aluminum siding is on!

The construction crew disassembles and removes the old four-panel steel doors. This was the last good weather the crew was going to see for a while.

With the door removed and weather tarps in place, the crew removes the final structure.

The crew positions the lighter, single-panel door structure.

The new insulation and new exterior panels are secured in place.

Here's a picture of the door nearly completed.

It's really exciting to see the project finally come together in the most literal sense. Thank you for your gifts toward the Raise The Roof campaign which made this all, and more, possible. Lord willing we'll soon conduct a door swing test to finalize the installation.

The construction crew is currently overhead working hard and fast at replacing the roof! The sun is out the sky is blue, the old roof is coming off and the new roof is going on.

Thanks for your prayers.

Wednesday Snapshots

2011-04-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

The hangar crew is really busy. The Chuck, Jim, Mike, Andy S., and Mark are making the final preparations to install the 402's engines and Dale, Josh, Andy S. and Paul are working hard on the disassembly and repair of the Gabon 207. The Brigade 172 project is back on line as well.

Mark works with the 402's right side turbocharger.

Andy S. continues removal of the 207's gear box.

Andy P. test-fits a turbo system component.

Dale instructs Paul in assembly of the 207's nose gear.

Dale provides guidance to Andy S. in removing the 207's right side door sill.

Lord willing, I'll have a video up before the end of the week featuring the 402 and 207 progress.

Moving Around The Hangar

2011-03-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

As I moved around the hangar taking snapshots, here's some of the activity that caught my eye:

Mark and Mike make the final repairs to a local airplane.

Jim and Andy S. rivet structure into the 402's right engine nacelle.

Andy P. installs components on the 402's left engine.

Dave performs maintenance on a light fixture in Hangar A.

This Isn't About Fixing Airplanes

2011-03-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

It's A Rainy Windy Day in Coshocton

2011-03-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

We're having a bit of rain and wind today with the possibility of everything turning to a "wintry mix" of snow/sleet/rain tomorrow. But while the rain and wind lash at the outside of our hangars, the guys just keep on working inside. Good progress is being made on the Cessna 402.

Mike fabricates some structure for the 402.

Mark readies the left nacelle for engine installation.

Jim installs baffling on the 402's right engine.

Paul removes a damaged section of firewall on the Gabon 207.

Air Calvary Cessna 207: Project: Part 1 (Remix)

2011-03-02T10:33:00.000-08:00

Here's the first video of what, I'm sure, will be an ongoing series of clips featuring the restoration and repair of Air Calvary's Cessna 207.

Video: A Glimpse Into MMS

2011-02-24T11:12:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-23T09:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

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

In Preparation for Return To Service

2011-02-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-15T15:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-14T11:45:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-03T12:26:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-01T12:10:00.000-08:00

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.

The Calm Before The Storm

2011-01-31T12:15:00.000-08:00

The National Weather Service has upgraded the regional "alert" from a Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Storm Warning. Right now the sky is blue, it's very pretty outside, and it's a cool 29 degrees. That's supposed to dramatically change later tonight and through Wednesday.

While the approaching storm works its way across the plains and into the Chicago area, we have plenty of work to keep our mind occupied. Here are some fresh snapshots from the hangar.

The engine has arrived for the Alaskan Navajo project.

Chuck fits interior trim pieces for the crew door he's installing.

Paul G. and Jim work on the Skipper's engine installation.

Paul J. and Andy S. prepare to run-up the Aztec prior to oil change and the start of the airplane's annual inspection.

Thanks for your continued interest and involvement as we prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service!

Asas 206 Engine Run & Taxi Test

2011-01-25T07:49:00.000-08:00

Here's the video of yesterday's engine run and taxi test of the Asas amphibious 206. Everything went very well with only a couple small squawks discovered. Ian and Paul have the airplane back in the hangar and are prepping for the next engine runs.

Asas 206: Inital Engine Run & Taxi Test

2011-01-24T12:42:00.000-08:00

Ian and Paul J. conducted the initial engine run and taxi test of the Brazilian 206 this afternoon. The contrast between the weather in Brazil and the weather here in Coshocton, OH couldn't be more dramatic. The airplane will ultimately operate off the Amazon River and carry missionaries safely over dense, tropical jungle. Well, today we're not experiencing "tropical" unless you consider snow and temps in the mid-twenties to be "tropical." Most of us here, this time of the year, would rather be in Brazil for the warmer temperatures if nothing else.

The engine started right up on the first attempt after only a few revolutions and the airplane handled well during the slow taxi-test. Lord willing, I'll have some video up tomorrow afternoon. But until then here are four stills:

Dave helps Ian pull the 206 out of the hangar.

The "non-tropical" setting today.

Ian at the controls with the engine performing perfectly. The white flecks are snow flakes.

On the taxiway.

Wednesday Snapshots

2011-01-19T13:21:00.000-08:00

Ian and Paul J. are up in Kidron, Ohio this week assisting with the restoration and repair of a DC-3 for service with MFI down in Florida. No pictures from Kidron, but I did catch a few snapshots of some of the in-hangar work we have going on today:

Bob instructs Andy on basic electrical circuits as part of Basic Training.

Josh test fits an aluminum piece fabricated as part of a repair on the Navajo.

Chuck continues with the Navajo crew door installation.

Paul G. and Jim move ahead with repairs on the Brigade 172.

Weather-wise it's cold and cloudy with light snow flurries today. Seems we're in another cooling trend headed toward single digit temps overnight by Friday. Thanks for praying for us as we prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service.

Monday Hangar Snapshots

2011-01-17T11:04:00.000-08:00

John Pfeifer arrived this morning. He brought his Aztec in for its annual inspection.

The Brazilian 206 is ready for engine runs next week.

Jim supervises as Paul G. repairs the 172's horizontal stabilizer.

Josh continues his work inside the Navajo.

Plowing Our Way into January 2011

2011-01-12T10:12:00.000-08:00

We're in the thick of winter here in Coshocton, Ohio. The cold weather started early and, with the exception of New Year's Day (60 degrees!), temps have pretty much stayed frigid since before Thanksgiving. It was a long "winter" even before winter officially started.

And with winter comes snow. And with snow comes snow plowing. At MMS, it's critical to keep taxiways and ramp areas clear so aircraft can be moved between hangars and other airplanes can taxi up to our facility should they need maintenance. It's also important for the parking lot and entrance area to be cleared facilitating our staff's arrival to start the work day.

Dave Shelly is our Facilities Manager and it's his responsibility to make sure everything's plowed. And after it's snowed all day and all night, like it has the past 24 hours, the plowing needs to start rather early.

Pushing Into Christmas

2010-12-23T15:38:00.000-08:00

The guys are really pushing hard to accomplish as much as they can prior to shutting down in order to celebrate and enjoy Christmas with family near and far. Several of our families are already traveling home and several more of our families will head out tomorrow. Here are some snapshots as we wrap-up hangar and administrative operations for 2010.

Dale manages the paperwork as he oversees the Navajo's annual inspection.

Ian & Paul J. work to finalize all the details of installing the amphibious floats on the Asas 206.

The SR-22 undergoes engine run-up after inspection and prior to its successful test flight.

Paul G. repairs the 172's control surfaces.

Mark, Mike, and Andy work together on the Skipper's annual inspection.

Thank you for your gifts, prayers, and special donations that met ministry needs over the past year. We look forward to having you at our side through 2011 as, together, we continue to prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service.

We'll return to the hangar January 3.

Merry Christmas.

The Floats are Installed on the Asas 206!

2010-12-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

A major milestone was reached in the Asas 206 restoration project with the installation of the amphibious floats! This airplane will be operated from the liquid runway of the Amazon River and will taxi in and out of the river on a ramp that leads to the Asas de Socorro maintenance base in Manaus. We hope you enjoy the video.

A Typical Day at MMS Aviation

2010-12-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

I shot this on a hangar walk-through last week. With five missionary aircraft in various stages of inspection, repair, and modification, our guys are keeping rather busy.

Not only that, but the Cessna 207 arrived from Africa on Friday!

The 207 arrives from Gabon, Africa.

Unloading the Cessna 207.

Navajo Maintenance: Part 2

2010-12-09T03:36:00.000-08:00

Work on Arctic Barnabas' Piper Navajo is well underway. Here's a short piece showing Paul G. and Terry replacing the windows and Paul J. fabricating a new belly skin. This airplane is used for missions in Alaska. To see earlier clips of this project, click HERE and HERE.

Hangar Snapshots

2010-12-07T13:40:00.001-08:00

Here are some hangar snapshots to update you on what's going on in our hangar:

Ian continues the finish work on the fuselage in preparation for mounting this Cessna 206 on amphibious floats later this month. This aircraft will be used for ministry in Brazil.

Here's the Cirrus SR-22 that's in for annual inspection. It's used by a Baptist Church for Stateside ministry.

This is a 1961 Cessna 172 that was donated to Brigade Air. Brigade Air sponsors aviation camps around the US geared toward encouraging young men to consider mission aviation as a calling. Brigade flew it down to us for inspection and repairs prior to putting the airplane into service.

Andy fits new skin under the right engine compartment of the Cessna 402 operated by Wings With The Word. A ministry based in Maine that operates throughout the northeast and into Canada. The guys are making repairs in preparation for re-installing the engines.

Jim assists with repairs on the Piper Navajo operated in Alaska by Arctic Barnabas. We're maintaining, modifying, and repairing this aircraft.

There are several other aircraft projects on their way in with more scheduled for work early next year. Our guys are going a great job as they face unforeseen complications, parts delays, and time pressures. It's all part of the missionary training, and mission reality, at MMS Aviation. Thanks for your gifts and prayers that make it possible for us to continue preparing people and planes for worldwide mission service!

Cessna 402 Spar Cap Project: Part 7

2010-12-01T08:33:00.000-08:00

Here's a little video project that will fill in some history as both spar straps are now in place and the guys are prepping the engine compartments for engine installation. In this clip Jim, Terry, and Mike were making major progress with securing the left spar strap in place.

In other projects, Ian is shooting paint on the amphibious floats for the Brazilian 206; Jim and Paul G. are inspecting and repairing a Cessna 172 for ministry; Mike has just started an annual inspection on a SR-22; Andy and Mark are continuing the engine compartment work on the Cessna 402; Dale is conducting an annual inspection on a local airplane and following up on all the paperwork and problem-solving involved with bringing a containerized airplane from Africa into the US; and Scott, Paul J., Terry, and Chuck are hard at work on completing all the modifications and repairs on the Navajo used for ministry in Alaska.

Thanks for your prayers and gifts as we continue to prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service.

Video: The Amphibious Floats Have Arrived!

2010-11-24T08:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a clip of the long-awaited arrival of the composite amphibious floats for the Brazilian 206. With the floats finally in-house the restoration can now move on to assembling the float kit and installing it under the airplane.

Video--Cessna 402 Spar Cap Project: Part 6

2010-11-23T11:51:00.001-08:00

Here's Part 6 of the ongoing Cessna 402 project. With the spar straps installed, the guys are getting the engine compartments prepared to set the engines back in place.

New Project: Brigade Air's Cessna 172

2010-11-15T04:57:00.000-08:00

A Cessna 172 was recently donated to Brigade Air. Brigade flew the airplane down to us to be inspected and to make any necessary repairs before putting the 172 in service. Our guys are in the process of starting the airframe and powerplant inspection. Here's a short clip of the 172's engine being removed for tear-down.

Navajo Maintenance Update 1

2010-11-09T08:40:00.000-08:00

Here's a video update of the progress being made on the Arctic Barnabas Navajo.

Video: Arrival of the Arctic Barnabas Navajo

2010-11-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

I previously mentioned the arrival of the Arctic Barnabas Navajo in an earlier blog, but here's video of the event with an additional clip of the start of the maintenance process. I already have other clips ready to edit that will show the project a little further along. The guys are really moving on with this one.

We're going to have the airplane for three months. In that time we'll send one engine and the control surfaces out to specialty vendors (we could have done the work here, but it would have taken longer than the time frame we'd been given), replace all the windows, fabricate and replace multiple aluminum skins along the belly of the aircraft, install a crew door in the cockpit area, repair engine cowlings, and conduct an annual inspection of the entire aircraft.

We intend to send this airplane back into ministry in Alaska before January 31, 2011.

A week ago.

As of yesterday

Replacing belly skins on the Navajo

Test Flight of LAMP's Cessna 337

2010-11-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

Here's the video of Friday's test flight of LAMP's Cessna 337. The test flight went very well and, as test flights are supposed to do, revealed some minor adjustments which needed to be made before the airplane could return to mission service.

The guys worked late into Saturday evening eliminating the "squawks" enabling the aircraft to return to missionary service Sunday morning. This airplane will soon be back in northern Canada expanding God's Kingdom across four provinces.

Cessna 402 Spar Cap Project: Part 5

2010-10-27T06:35:00.000-07:00

The Cessna 402 spar cap project is moving ahead. Here's a clip of the Andy and Jim putting the finishing touches on the right spar strap install while Mike sorts, tags, and bundles new wiring that replaces the old wiring in the left wing. New wire has already been pulled in the right wing as well.

In other hangar news the Cessna 337 is very nearly completed and should be flight-ready later this afternoon. We expect the LAMP missionary pilot to arrive today or tomorrow to conduct the test flights.

Thanks for your prayers and gifts which make this ministry possible.

The Arctic Barnabas Navajo Arrives from Alaska

2010-10-25T13:07:00.001-07:00

Here's a snapshot of the Arctic Barnabas Piper Navajo as it pulled onto our ramp this afternoon.

Arctic Barnabas Piper Navajo

Arctic Barnabas flew their Navajo down from Alaska so we could replace the windows and windscreen, replace the belly skins, remove an engine and ship it out for overhaul, remove its flaps and elevators so a specialty shop can repair them, repair the engine cowling, install a new crew door, and conduct an annual inspection. We've committed to have all this completed and the airplane back in service in three months, by the end of January 2011.

Ian checks some details on GCI's King Air.

Late last week, GCI flew their King Air down for a wash. Here's Ian checking some details before washing the airplane. The airplane in the foreground is Pfeifer Evangelical Association's Piper Aztec which was in for an oil change and to have an instrument replaced.

Additional Cessna 337 Video

2010-10-22T12:16:00.001-07:00

As we close out the week, I thought you might enjoy another video. I shot these clips prior to the last video posted of the Cessna 337's engine runs and taxi test, but never had the chance to go back and edit these clips until today. So, even though the airplane is going to be test flown next week, here's an earlier record of Scott and Paul installing the rear engine. I did add in some of the test run footage at the end.

Right now the guys are "swarming" the 337 while Scott finalizes the mountain of paperwork that accompanies every aircraft project. Ian, Andy, Josh, and Jim are down there on the hangar floor adjusting seats, closing the instrument panel, installing the carpet, tucking the headliner, placing the side panels in place, and making final systems adjustments. It's great to see this project finishing so well. Lord willing, I'll have some test flight footage for you in the near future!

Video: 402 Spar Cap Installation Part 4

2010-10-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest in the ongoing "spar cap" video series featuring the work being done on Wings With the Word's Cessna 402.

Current Hangar Activity

2010-10-19T12:10:00.000-07:00

Wings With The Word's spar strap installation is in the home stretch. Once this strap is fully secured, the next steps will be to finish updating the wing wiring and re-install the engines.

Jim and Andy work on the right wing spar strap while Mike pulls wires through the left wing root.

Gospel Carrier International's King Air was in for a phase inspection. The inspection is complete and the airplane returned to mission service yesterday afternoon.

Ian inspects the King Air's right engine.

The Cessna 337 project continues toward completion. Paul J. and Scott are taking care of the final systems squawks before replacing the airplane's interior prior to its scheduled test flight next week.

Scott and Paul with the 337.

Pfeifer Evangelical Association flew their Aztec in for an oil change this morning. While the airplane was here it was decided to keep it for an additional repair. Lord willing the airplane will be back in service this Friday.

John Pfeifer talks with Terry about aircraft repairs.

You can see we're enjoying some very nice fall weather right now. Thanks for you prayers and gifts that enable MMS to serve the broader mission aviation community around the world.

Roll-out, Run-up, and Taxi Test of LAMP's Cessna 337

2010-10-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

King Air Phase Inspection, Part 1

2010-10-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

Gospel Carrier International's King Air 200 is back in our hangar for a "phase inspection." A phase inspection is performing an annual inspection in "phases" over an extended period of time. Phase inspections are an efficient way to maximize the airplane's availability through less down-time while meeting all the safety and maintenance criteria in an ongoing manner.

Performing these inspections for GCI (and other mission operators) provides our apprentice mechanics with unsurpassed experience working on high-technology airplanes, under real production pressures, in positions demanding a high level of personal responsibility.

When our mechanics finish their thirty months of apprenticeship they've already experienced two and a half years of missionary service, have over 4,800 hours of experience responding to and managing maintenance events of all shape and size, and are uniquely prepared to meet the challenges of cross-cultural service in the mission aviation community worldwide.

Here's a video clip of the guys in the early stages of the GCI phase inspection.

Cessna 337 De-ice Boot Installation

2010-09-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Cessna 337 annual inspection, repairs, and double engine overhaul is nearly completed. As Chuck and Paul G. were closing up the airframe, and Scott and Paul J. were finishing the final rigging and adjustments to the rear engine, Mark & Dennis tackled the job of installing new de-ice boots on the wings and horizontal stabilizer.

I hope you enjoy the video.

Video: A-10 Repaired and Returned to Service

2010-09-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Air Force mechanics completed their repair of the hydraulic leak on the A-1o's left main landing gear late last evening. Before returning the aircraft to service they needed to test the repair by jacking the aircraft off the ground and then raising and lowering the landing gear.

When it came time to "swing the gear" the Air Force team honored MMS by inviting Dwight to conduct the test.

Air Force mechanics jack the A-10 off the ground.

Dwight prepares to raise and lower the landing gear.

MMS Hosts an A-10 Thunderbolt

2010-09-21T12:36:00.001-07:00

It seems that after the airshow one of the Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts developed a hydraulic leak on its left main landing gear. Imagine our surprise when we came in Monday morning to find a ground-attack fighter inside Hangar C. Maybe I should say found it "filling" Hangar C.

The Air Force brought in a crew of mechanics to return the aircraft to service and they've been making the repair for two days now. This afternoon they hope to do a "gear swing" to test the repair and, if all goes well, return to their base.

Here's a video of the A-10 giving a flight demonstration Friday evening.

Here's the A-10 inside Hangar C.

Here's the A-10 outside the hangar.

If all goes well this afternoon, I'll be able to post the gear swing and maybe a departure video tomorrow. We'll see...

Birds of a Different Feather At MMS

2010-09-20T05:32:00.000-07:00

Friday evening several "birds of a different feather" came to roost overnight in Hangar C. With "Wings Over Coshocton," the Coshocton County bi-annual airshow, kicking off the next morning, MMS opened Hangar C so the air show pilots could store their airplanes indoors. These aren't your typical missionary aircraft!

Prior to pulling their aircraft onto our ramp and positioning them in our hangar, each pilot flew a good portion of their aerobatic routine for a select audience of press representatives, VIPs and maybe a missionary or two who had chosen to hang around after hours.

The Air Force brought two A-10s as part of the show. We'll have more on the A-10 in tomorrow's post.

Dave Dacy's Super Stearman in action.

Super Stearman at Hangar C.

Iron Eagles in action.

One of the Super Christen Eagle 1 aircraft flown by the Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team taxis up to Hangar C.

Pitts Special outside Hangar C.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt takes off from Coshocton.

Video: Inspection, Repair, and Return to Service of GCI's Cessna 310

2010-09-16T12:46:00.001-07:00

Here's a clip of Josh, Terry, and Tim working their way through the recent annual inspection of Gospel Carrier Internationals' Cessna 310.

In The Home Stretch: LAMP's Cessna 337

2010-09-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

The LAMP Cessna 337 which we're preparing for ministry in Canada is nearing completion. There's a high level of activity around the airplane as the remaining interior squawks are completed, the final airframe discrepancies are addressed, and the last details of engine rigging take place on both the front and rear engines. A deadline has been set for "roll-out and engine runs" on or before October 1st.

The 337 in Hangar A.

Chuck installs windows.

Jim finalizes some wiring placement.

Dennis and Mark install a de-ice boot on the left wing.

Paul rigs the rear engine.

This aircraft has been a major restoration project which has provided excellent training opportunities, and multiple challenges, for staff and apprentices alike. Thanks for being part of it through your gifts and your prayers.

The Rest of the Story from Gabon, Africa

2010-09-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

Dale, Paul, and Andy have been in Gabon, Africa disassembling and crating a damaged Cessna 207 for shipment to Coshocton, Ohio so it can be repaired here at MMS.

Here are the blog links that give the rest of the story of their trip.

Gabon, Africa: Day 2

Gabon, Africa: Day 3

Gabon, Africa: Day 4

Gabon, Africa: Day 5

An Update From Gabon Africa

2010-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here's an update on Dale, Paul, and Andy in Gabon, Africa from the pilot of the plane they're disassembling for shipment to MMS. Click on the link below to visit his blog and see how the process is coming along!

Arrivals And Departures

Off To Africa

2010-08-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

Dale, Paul J., and Andy are off to Gabon, Africa to disassemble and crate a Cessna 207 for shipment to MMS. Clipping a taxi cab and a light pole during an emergency landing on a dirt road, the airplane was damaged beyond Air Calvary's ability to repair. Air Calvary contacted us to see if we could help them and we are blessed to send this Rapid Response Team over to start the process of returning this airplane to mission service.

Dale, Andy, and Paul J.

The airplane, the taxi, and the light pole.

Damage to wing strut, leading edge of the wing, and the landing gear.

Damage to flaps and control surfaces

Damaged tail section

You can see the airplane is in need of substantial repair. Dale, Andy, and Paul J. should have the airplane disassembled and crated over the next two weeks. We expect the guys back in Coshocton the first week of September. It will take the airplane a bit longer to arrive as it will travel by boat and then truck before arriving at our hangar facility sometime in October.

We appreciate your prayers for Dale, Andy and Paul (and their families here) as they're away in Gabon, Africa.

Back on the Blog

2010-08-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

After being out of the hangar for the past week and a day, it's time to catch you up on some of the projects.

Jim makes some electrical repairs to the Cessna 210.

Terry installs a wing root fairing on the 210.

Paul G. works on the Cessna 337's instrument panel.

Tim troubleshoots a fuel problem with a local RV-8.

Mark works on the right wing of the Cessna 402 while waiting for parts to continue repairs to the left wing.

Tropical Training

2010-08-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

This week is another week of "tropical training" at MMS. No, the guys aren't sitting around in lounge chairs, under palm trees, sipping iced drinks with umbrellas in them...it's just HOT (93 degrees) and HUMID (80%) with rather regular, intense thunderstorms rolling through every afternoon.

Once such storm just rolled through just a few minutes ago which did its best to blow, blast, and wash us off the top of the hill here at Richard Downing/Coshocton County Airport. Yee-haw. Of course in a few very short months we'll go into our "Arctic training" mode. When you prepare people to live and work in all parts of the globe it helps to have a weather range representative of the varied climates in which they'll serve. And here, in east central Ohio...we see it all...sometimes in a matter of hours.

Andy, Mike, and Mark make a plan for drilling the spar strap.

Terry begins work on the right main landing gear of the 210.

Paul works behind the instrument panel in preparation for installing instrumentation in the 337.

The Pfeifer Aztec Returns to Service

2010-08-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

The guys wrapped up work on the Pfeifer Evangelical Association's Piper Aztec this afternoon. With the left landing gear successfully repaired, they finished troubleshooting an electrical problem and fixed a leak in the left fuel bladder. The Aztec's now back in service!

Terry troubleshoots a problem with an electrical component.

Josh repairs the fuel bladder.

Mike and Josh cowl the right engine.

The Aztec leaves our ramp for the taxiway.

Dynamic's DC-3 Visits MMS Aviation

2010-07-24T16:25:00.001-07:00

On their way to AirVenture 2010 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this morning Dynamic Aviation flew their DC-3 to Richard Downing/Coshocton County Airport for fuel and to visit MMS Aviation.

Test Run of the Rear Engine for the Cessna 337

2010-07-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

This is an exciting way to end the week! Scott and Paul are currently in the engine shop conducting the test and break-in runs of the engine they just overhauled for the LAMP 337. This is the rear engine. The front engine was overhauled first and is already mounted in the airframe.

It's always satisfying to see and hear the engine run after the overhaul process is complete. Next week this engine will be mounted on the airframe. Chuck is nearly completed with the airframe repairs and it looks like we should have this airplane back in missionary service by the end of September. We're gathering momentum as we near the finish-line for this project.

They're shutting the engine down to cool at idle. How do I know this? Even all the way over here on the other side of the hangar in the administrative section...you can hear the engine and feel its power.

Thanks for your gifts and prayers that have enabled us to keep this project moving ahead.

Scott & Paul measure cylinder components.

Paul builds-up the engine.

The completed engine on the "run-up" stand.

Paul operates the engine while Scott monitors the stream of performance data.

Fly In Service

2010-07-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

We've been blessed to serve two different missions over the past two days that had immediate maintenance needs.

First, Pfeifer Evangelical Association flew their Piper Aztec in yesterday for us to troubleshoot and repair a problem with their left main landing gear strut.

Here's the Pfeifer's Aztec taxiing to our hangar. Notice how the wingtip on the right is lower than the wingtip on the left.

Tim and Mark (an apprenticeship candidate undergoing evaluation), positioned the aircraft in Hangar C, jacked the aircraft, and removed the gear strut. They disassembled, cleaned, and inspected the strut and its components finding two O-rings that needed replacement. The parts are on order. The Aztec should be ready to fly by Friday.

Tim and Mark remove the landing gear strut for inspection and repair.

Second, Gospel Carrier International flew their Super King Air 200 in this afternoon for a compressor wash.

Gospel Carrier International's King Air 200 on the ramp in front of Hangar A.

Mark B. and Chuck prepare the left engine for its compressor wash as Mike supervises and Paul G. observes.

The guys have since completed the wash of the compressor sections of the King Air's turbine engines and the fuel truck is on our ramp pumping jet fuel into the airplane's fuel tanks for departure. The King Air will be back in the sky shortly.

Thank you for your gifts and prayers that allow us to perform these maintenance services labor-free for Christian mission organizations. Thank you as well for your gifts and prayers toward "Raising the Roof" here at MMS. The recent rains, with all the resultant leaks in the administrative areas as well as in Hangar A, are reminders of the necessity of this capital improvement.