Sorry about being out of the hangar and unable to post for the past week or so.
Thanks for your patience in checking back. I'm just now able to start getting some info up about our team in Oshkosh representing MMS at EAA's AirVenture 2009.
Over the past couple days, our ten person team (Ian, Paul, Scott G., Dave, Andy, Robert, Tim & Michele, and Dwight & Rena) made it safely up to Oshkosh, WI by car, scheduled airline, and private aircraft and prepared for their first day of display in the Fly-4-Life Tent.
Over 500,000 people are expected to attend this year's week-long AirVenture which, as one of its features, is focused on missionary, humanitarian, and rescue aviation. While missionary aviation has been represented at Oshkosh in various venues for many years, this is the first year it has ever been featured in the primary display area. Consequently the missionary presence swelled five-fold from last year's AirVenture growing from 85 missionaries to over 400 missionaries representing Christian aviation progams from all around the world.
Members of our team will man our display in the Fly-4-Life tent, answer questions about mission aviation, speak at churches, represent MMS at special activities, assist Missionary Aviation Support Organization (MASA) with the logistics of feeding 400+ missionaries 3 meals a day, share opportunities to serve through apprenticeship with MMS, and build relationships that will help expand God's Kingdom even further. For the MASA list of special events click here.
I'll post info and updates from the team as I receive them!
Stay tuned and check back often!
Here's the EAA's official Sunday update video:
Preparing People and Planes for Worldwide Missionary Service
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Winding Down the Week, Winding Up for Oshkosh
The trip to Oshkosh to participate in EAA's AirVenture 2009 continues to grow in priority. With some of the ten person team leaving next Wednesday and everyone else being on the road or in the air by that Saturday, final details are being worked out as the final repairs are made to the two airplanes flying-in: the Commander 114 and the Bakeng Duece.
Ian continues installing the interior of the Commander 114.
Paul gains some major insight into the repair of spark plug leads on the Bakeng Deuce as Tim F. observes and Ian provides instruction.
Here's a shot of Scott G. who's overseeing the Bakeng Deuce project.
Of course the other four projects continue as well. While Josh continues to track down parts necessary to complete the engine he's building for a ministry in Zambia, Africa; and Chuck continues with the Cessna 337 for service in Canada:
Andy continues work on the Brazilian 206's horizontal stabilizer
and Mike prepares to install an antennae cable on the Moody 182's firewall.
Ian continues installing the interior of the Commander 114.
Paul gains some major insight into the repair of spark plug leads on the Bakeng Deuce as Tim F. observes and Ian provides instruction.
Here's a shot of Scott G. who's overseeing the Bakeng Deuce project.Of course the other four projects continue as well. While Josh continues to track down parts necessary to complete the engine he's building for a ministry in Zambia, Africa; and Chuck continues with the Cessna 337 for service in Canada:
Andy continues work on the Brazilian 206's horizontal stabilizer
and Mike prepares to install an antennae cable on the Moody 182's firewall.Thursday, July 16, 2009
MMS Benefits from Mission Aviation
It's interesting as an organization that directly supports mission aviation so that others may benefit from it, we very seldom directly benefit from mission aviation. However last week was one of those times.
Plans had been made for Dennis, our Chief Inspector; Mary, our Director of Office Administration; and Tim, our Production Manager; to meet with their counterparts at JAARS in Waxhaw, North Carolina. The meeting would take one full day. Driving to and from Waxhaw would add two full days to the trip.
As mission schedules were being adjusted to absorb Dennis, Mary, and Tim's three day absence from our hangar, and as driving plans were being made, the thought occurred to check and see if Gospel Carrier International (GCI) would be able to support this effort with one of their aircraft.
GCI was contacted and they quickly made their Cessna 310 available for the flight. Willams Chang, GCI's president and pilot, flew in the night before and the team departed early the next morning with the landing gear coming up as the sun was rising. They returned just before the sun began to set.
Willams Chang, Dennis, Mary, and Tim on the MMS ramp with GCI's 310.
Ready to pull away from MMS.
Taxing to the runway.
Williams, Dennis, Mary, and Tim depart for Waxhaw, North Carolina.
What a blessing! Because of the airplane, a three day trip turned into a one day trip, 20 hours of driving turned into 4 hours of flying, important meetings were held, and disruption of hangar operations was limited to only one work day.
This is the kind of thing that is happening all over the world as you read this blog. In some instances a twenty minute flight can save nearly two weeks of hard, dangerous travel on both land and water.
As a ministry serving the ministries that do the flying which serve the missionaries who'd otherwise be doing the walking, hiking, running, climbing, and paddling, we're greatly aware of the benefits of safe air transportation. We spend our days dedicated to preparing the people and the airplanes which will ensure this type of service for many more years to come. It's just nice to enjoy to fruit of our labor now and then.
Thank you for your gifts and prayers that enable each of us at MMS to serve the Kingdom in such a unique way.
Plans had been made for Dennis, our Chief Inspector; Mary, our Director of Office Administration; and Tim, our Production Manager; to meet with their counterparts at JAARS in Waxhaw, North Carolina. The meeting would take one full day. Driving to and from Waxhaw would add two full days to the trip.
As mission schedules were being adjusted to absorb Dennis, Mary, and Tim's three day absence from our hangar, and as driving plans were being made, the thought occurred to check and see if Gospel Carrier International (GCI) would be able to support this effort with one of their aircraft.
GCI was contacted and they quickly made their Cessna 310 available for the flight. Willams Chang, GCI's president and pilot, flew in the night before and the team departed early the next morning with the landing gear coming up as the sun was rising. They returned just before the sun began to set.
Willams Chang, Dennis, Mary, and Tim on the MMS ramp with GCI's 310.
Ready to pull away from MMS.
Taxing to the runway.
Williams, Dennis, Mary, and Tim depart for Waxhaw, North Carolina.What a blessing! Because of the airplane, a three day trip turned into a one day trip, 20 hours of driving turned into 4 hours of flying, important meetings were held, and disruption of hangar operations was limited to only one work day.
This is the kind of thing that is happening all over the world as you read this blog. In some instances a twenty minute flight can save nearly two weeks of hard, dangerous travel on both land and water.
As a ministry serving the ministries that do the flying which serve the missionaries who'd otherwise be doing the walking, hiking, running, climbing, and paddling, we're greatly aware of the benefits of safe air transportation. We spend our days dedicated to preparing the people and the airplanes which will ensure this type of service for many more years to come. It's just nice to enjoy to fruit of our labor now and then.
Thank you for your gifts and prayers that enable each of us at MMS to serve the Kingdom in such a unique way.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Inspection and Repair
Inspection is one of the key aspects of aviation maintenance. Sure, if a wing falls off everyone knows it but we don't want wings falling off. Or engines quitting. Or parts breaking. The key to preventing all of that is: inspection. It's important to find the little things and fix them to prevent them from becoming big things.
Two major inspections are going on right now. The smaller of the two inspections, both in size and scope, is of the Bakeng Deuce. The Bakeng Deuce was donated to MMS not too long ago and is going through a "condition inspection" which, for an "experimental" aircraft, is the equivalent of an "annual inspection" for a FAA certificated aircraft like a Piper, or a Cessna, or a Beechcraft. The Bakeng Deuce is a two seat, single engine, open cockpit, covered airplane.
Tim F. works in the forward cockpit while Paul inspects structure inside the leading edge of the Bakeng Duece wing.
The larger, more complex inspection is of the Cessna 337 used by LAMP for ministry in Canada. The 337 is a twin engine, six passenger aircraft made of aluminum and is in for an annual inspection and to have both engines overhauled.
Chuck, inside the fuselage, inspects the hydraulic lines that lock the retractable main gear in place on the Cessna 337.
Scott Grote, one of MMS's three Production Mechanics, is in charge of both inspections. He has a lot on his plate right now and is doing a great job managing the challenges.
Two major inspections are going on right now. The smaller of the two inspections, both in size and scope, is of the Bakeng Deuce. The Bakeng Deuce was donated to MMS not too long ago and is going through a "condition inspection" which, for an "experimental" aircraft, is the equivalent of an "annual inspection" for a FAA certificated aircraft like a Piper, or a Cessna, or a Beechcraft. The Bakeng Deuce is a two seat, single engine, open cockpit, covered airplane.
Tim F. works in the forward cockpit while Paul inspects structure inside the leading edge of the Bakeng Duece wing. The larger, more complex inspection is of the Cessna 337 used by LAMP for ministry in Canada. The 337 is a twin engine, six passenger aircraft made of aluminum and is in for an annual inspection and to have both engines overhauled.
Chuck, inside the fuselage, inspects the hydraulic lines that lock the retractable main gear in place on the Cessna 337.Scott Grote, one of MMS's three Production Mechanics, is in charge of both inspections. He has a lot on his plate right now and is doing a great job managing the challenges.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
CMML Engine and Commander Prep
The parts Josh was waiting for have arrived so he's back assembling the engine for use in Zambia, Africa by Christian Missions in Many Lands (CMML).
Josh and the CMML engine.
Toward the end of the month, we're sending a team of ten people to represent MMS at EAA's AirVenture 2009, held every year in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The week-long airshow is one of the largest airshows in the world with over 500,000 people expected to attend. We're planning to fly two airplanes to Oshkosh: the Bakeng Deuce and the Commander 114.
Dale and Ian are working to make sure the Commander is ready to go.
Ian continues his inspection of the Commander's engine.
Josh and the CMML engine.Toward the end of the month, we're sending a team of ten people to represent MMS at EAA's AirVenture 2009, held every year in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The week-long airshow is one of the largest airshows in the world with over 500,000 people expected to attend. We're planning to fly two airplanes to Oshkosh: the Bakeng Deuce and the Commander 114.
Dale and Ian are working to make sure the Commander is ready to go.
Ian continues his inspection of the Commander's engine.Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Scott Lazaros Completes Service
It was a special morning as MMS President & CEO Dwight Jarboe presented Scott Lazaros with his completion certificate today.
Scott began service with MMS back in October of 2007 as a Trainee, already holding his Airframe & Powerplant certificate. With nearly three years of advanced training under his belt, Scott is now ready to begin the transition to service with Child Evangelism Fellowship in Alaska.
Scott, Lela, and their four boys are excited about the ministry opportunities open to them through service with CEF. Their plan is to wrap things up here, raise the additional support necessary, and organize for a move to Alaska, Lord willing, this October.
It's always exciting when families finish at MMS and continue into ministry far beyond our hangar doors. Thanks for being a part of it through your gifts and your prayers.
Scott receives his certificate from Dwight.
Scott began service with MMS back in October of 2007 as a Trainee, already holding his Airframe & Powerplant certificate. With nearly three years of advanced training under his belt, Scott is now ready to begin the transition to service with Child Evangelism Fellowship in Alaska.
Scott, Lela, and their four boys are excited about the ministry opportunities open to them through service with CEF. Their plan is to wrap things up here, raise the additional support necessary, and organize for a move to Alaska, Lord willing, this October.
It's always exciting when families finish at MMS and continue into ministry far beyond our hangar doors. Thanks for being a part of it through your gifts and your prayers.
Scott receives his certificate from Dwight.Monday, July 6, 2009
Back From The Weekend
We're back from the long Independence Day weekend and are continuing to enjoy warm temps and low (for Ohio) humidity. With eight different projects underway, there's no time to lose. Here's photos of four of the projects:
Scott & Paul inspect the Bakeng Deuce.
The CMML engine build-up is coming along nicely though it's on hold waiting for parts to be delivered.
Scott L. installs the flaps on the Honduran 206.
Josh installs a wing faring helping complete an inspection of a regional Cessna 182.
Scott & Paul inspect the Bakeng Deuce.
The CMML engine build-up is coming along nicely though it's on hold waiting for parts to be delivered. 
Scott L. installs the flaps on the Honduran 206. 
Josh installs a wing faring helping complete an inspection of a regional Cessna 182.
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