A ministry in Florida brought the engines from their Cessna 310 up for us to disassemble, inspect, and reassemble. We're sending the crankshafts out to a specialty shop but will go ahead and work on the engine cylinders, crankcases, and engine accessories while waiting for the cranks to come back. The engine rebuild is high priority as the mission's ability to respond to immediate needs are severely restricted without the use of their 310.
Preparing People and Planes for Worldwide Missionary Service
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Cessna 402 Departs for Ministry!
After the 402's successful return-to-service flight yesterday, we gathered outside to pray over the airplane and dedicate it to the Lord's service. The weather was PERFECT this afternoon as Pastor Bell climbed in the airplane and returned to ministry in Maine.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Cessna 402 Returns to Service!
After several weeks of waiting for administrative, weather, and scheduling challenges, the 402 finally flew today! Pastor Bell arrived this morning and will be here for another day or two to make additional shake-down flights and allow our mechanics to make final adjustments before he takes the airplane back to Wings With the Word's headquarters in Maine.
Scott Grote: A Field Report From Florida
From Scott on Rapid Response in Florida Assisting Agape Flights:
A typical day is about 11 hours on average and I am usually ready to sleep right after dinner. The people are awesome, the work is going smoothly and the weather is...well, its awesome too (75 to 80 any given day and sunshine). The Agape bird flew on Sat and, after a few adjustments, it is poised and ready to fly tomorrow. Thanks to Terry it came together really well and we have learned a bunch about the process. So just yesterday we removed wing covers, engines and all the connections between wing and fuselage and we have the stands under the right wing ready for removal today! The pic is of Agape's bird so you can see what an Embraer 110 looks like.
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| Agape's Embraer 110 |
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
No Break In The Weather...No 402 Flight
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.
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.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Still Waiting On Weather With The 402
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.
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.
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