A New Year

January 2nd came right on schedule and the MMS Aviation team returned after the holiday break.  Each year the first order of business is to do physical inventory which is a rather mundane task but necessary.  Doing inventory is a lot like eating the vegetable you don't like first so you can enjoy the rest of the meal.

Tables placed near the standard hardware shelves make inventory easier.

Inventory typically takes a day and a half and is followed by review of the MMS Standard Operating Procedures Manual.  Then, and only then, we get back to the fun stuff.

 



Andy installs the lifting brackets on the Lycoming engine being overhauled.

Many annual inspections of aircraft are scheduled during the winter months and MMS has several lined up.  Some of these are for ministry organizations and other planes we'll inspect are owned by local people.  Regardless, the experience gained by MMS apprentice mechanics doing routine inspections and the maintenance that comes with them is very valuable.

 

 

A locally owned Cessna 310 was first on the list of annual inspections this year.

Restoration of a Cessna 206 for MAF enters an exciting phase this month.  Repair is complete and assembly of the airframe components is underway.  This airplane has been assigned to MAF's recruiter in our area and last week John dropped by to see how work on the 206 is progressing.

 

John, on the right, talks with MMS staff, Josh Adelsberger, about the plane.

 

MMS on 12-12-12

Just thought I'd post a few pictures of what's happening in the hangar this 12th day of the 12th month in the 2012th year of our Lord.

 Andy safety-wires a component of the engine for LAMP's Lance.

 Chuck and Geoff apply masking to the rudder of the MAF 206 in preparation for shooting the color coats (red & blue) on the fuselage.

 Terry McClary works under instrument panel of the LAMP Lance.

 Ben and Bob install the baffling on the 172's new engine.

Safely up from Rus Rus, Honduras this MAG 206 waits for restoration to begin in preparation for its deployment to Guatemala.

Amazon Salt & Light's Cessna 185 awaits paperwork completion and its return to service flight.

N9719Z Has Arrived In Rus Rus

We're pleased to confirm that MAG's Cessna 206 has arrived safely in Rus Rus, Honduras.

N9719Z is in the background on the flight line in Rus Rus.

The white and red Cessna 206 in the foreground will soon be flown up to us to be inspected, repaired, restored, and prepared for ministry in MAG's new flight program in Guatemala.

MAG's Cessna 206 Departs for Service in Honduras

After being modified for operations in remote and rugged locations, Missionary Air Group's (MAG) newly acquired Cessna 206 departed MMS in preparation for its deployment in support of MAG's jungle hospital in Rus Rus, Honduras.

 

The arrival of this airplane in Rus Rus will allow the Cessna 206 currently operating in Rus Rus to be flown to our facility for restoration. After this next 206 is inspected, restored, and repaired it will be deployed to Guatemala where MAG is preparing to open a new field of operations.

Initial Engine Run of Mission Beyond's Zenith 801

Project Update

Here's the latest video snapshot of the projects underway in our hangar!

Hangar Overview & Project Update

We're currently enjoying a wonderful break from the heat and the humidity. Overnight temps are dropping into the 40's, daytime temps are topping out in the 70's and, at this point, anything below 100 percent humidity feels like a dry day. It's been a long, hot, HUMID summer in Coshocton, schools are back in session, and all our families are back from vacations and and various deputation trips.

Even with all the man-power shortage and shuffling that goes on every summer, our guys are still pushing projects toward completion.

Cessna 185

Amazon Salt & Light's Cessna 185 project is in its final stages of assembly. The airframe's nearly finished and the rigging is being finalized. The next major assembly process will be to install the floats in order to allow the 185 to use the Amazon River in Brazil for its runway.

 Jim and Jake hang the flaps on the 185.

MAG 206

Missionary Air Group's Cessna 206 is nearly completed. It should be on its way down to Honduras early next month.

 Josh begins installation of the interior of MAG's 206.

MAF 206

The restoration of MAF's Cessna 206 is in its final stages of airframe repair. Soon it will be headed into the paint booth.

 Andy and Chuck rivet a new skin on an elevator for the MAF 206.

Missions Beyond, Zenith 801

With all the major airframe components assembled, final adjustments are being made to its rigging and control surfaces in anticipation of its first flight.

 Zenith 801

GCI Cessna 310

The annual inspection on Gospel Carrier International's Cessna 310 was completed.

GCI 310

Schwartz, Cessna 172

The Cessna 172 that our personnel have access to fly has had a new instrument panel installed and is waiting for the resources to complete an upgrade to a more powerful engine.

Schwartz 172

Centralized Hardware Station
In response to staff requests, a centralized aircraft hardware station is being developed in Hangar B. Phil Maddux is overseeing the move and reorganization of all the various components necessary to hold airplanes together: nuts, bolts, washers, cotter pins, rivets of all shapes and sizes, fasteners, nut plates...

Phil organizes our aircraft hardware.

All this and there are seven more aircraft projects already on their way in!

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