Meanwhile In The Rest Of the Hangar...

While Mark, Andy, Dale, Bob, Chuck, Dwight, Terry, and Jim are involved with the PT-6 engine course, there are a few other things happening in the hangar:

Paul cleans engine components in preparation for assembling the rear engine of the Canadian 337.

Josh repairs the nosebowls for a local Aztec.

Mike begins installing the Brazilian 206's instrument panel.

Ian prepares the 172 for paint.

PT-6 Class

The big thing going on in the hangar this week, besides work on the eight different aircraft projects currently underway, is a class being taught by StandardAero on the operation and maintenance of the Pratt-Whitney PT-6 turbine engine. The PT-6 is used extensively on the mission field and is becoming even more prevalent with the introduction of the Kodiak to the mission aviation fleet.

StandardAero has been associated with the PT-6 engine series for many, may years years. As we had a large portion of our staff and apprentices needing to go through the course for the first time, and several desiring a refresher course, Bob arranged for StandardAero to hold their six day class at our facility instead of having our guys travel to their facility in Winnipeg, Canada.

Nine of our guys are spending each morning this week (Monday-Saturday) up in the conference room for the lecture and illustration part of the class. Each afternoon the guys go down to the hangar for the "hands-on" portion of the class. Standard Aero brings one disassembled engine for show-and-tell during lecture and brings a fully-assembled engine for disassembly and inspection purposes providing specific maintenance experience related to splitting the engine, hot section inspection, and reassembly. It's good training and StandardAero does a great job of presenting the information and providing the opportunity to become familiar with the engine.

In the conference room.

In Hangar A

Positioning the engine 0n its stand

Securing the engine to its mounting ring

Top-Secret Missionary Airplane Being Developed at MMS

As a reward for all our faithful blog followers out there, here's a sneak preview of a new missionary airplane we're developing on the hush-hush. Yes, we do have a little-known Research & Development program here to help keep us on the cutting edge of missionary aviation. The photo you are about to see is the first ever to be publicly released of our very own "X" plane.

We feel it has the capacity to change the way people look at mission aviation and have an impact worldwide no matter what the climate or location. This truly is an airplane for all seasons and situations. While developing this on a small prototype, we envision eventual certification of similar options for larger aircraft like the Quest Kodiak and the Cessna Caravan.

Okay. Here's the photo:

MMS Aviation's very own "X-Plane"

This airplane will be able to make its own runway on the fly! Whether prospective runways need to be plowed or mowed or both, this airplane will be the leading edge of the final push to open up the last frontiers. With the brush-hog deck underneath and the cutting blade on the front both fully adjustable from inside the cockpit, a new breed of construction engineer/pilot will be the first on the scene. No more spending months of tireless labor constructing a runway by hand. Now, it'll just take a few low-altitude, high-speed passes and within minutes missionary airplanes following close behind can be on the ground delivering the people and supplies necessary to continue expanding the Kingdom as our solver winged-wonder heads into the sunset to open another previously unreachable avenue.

We're having a contest to name the prototype. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment.

Thanks for playing along.

The Honduran 206 Returns to Missionary Service!

Hallelujah, the Honduran 206 returned to missionary service today!

After an extended and extensive restoration process, Alas de Socorro's Cessna 206 fired up on the first try and then launched into the sky on its way back to ministry in Honduras. Piloted by missionaries George and Wes, and loaded with cargo, the airplane roared down the runway and into the Coshocton sky on a day perfect for flying.

Assembled as much with our sweat and blood over the past three years as with rivets and screws, it was a joyous moment as the airplane's landing gear left the asphalt of Runway 22. More than twenty different mechanics worked on this airplane during its time in the hangar and many maintenance skills were gained as the airplane was lovingly repaired and restored. Mike Dunkley oversaw the project and what a project it was. It seems that everyone literally had a hand in returning this airplane to service.

We praise the Lord for His working in us and through us, and in and through you, by your gifts and prayers. You truly are our partners in this ministry.

George and Mike

Some of the crew that helped restore the Honduran 206.

Next Blog Post: On Or Around April 1st

No, this isn't an early April Fool's joke. I'm just out of the hangar until the end of the month and then, once I'm back, it's going to take me a day or two to get caught up to the point of blogging again. I appreciate your patience.

In the meantime, feel free to peruse any or all of the previous 199 posts!

The Engine's Installed in the Brazilian 206

The engine has been installed in the Asas de Socorro Cessna 206 for ministry in Brazil. With the wings on (see previous video) and the engine in, the emphasis shifts over to completing the instrument panel and the modifications inside the fuselage. Here's the video:

Attaching the Wings to the Brazilian 206

Work on the Brazilian 206 continues to move ahead. Here's a clip of the guys attaching the wings to the fuselage. Lord willing, the next video will feature the engine being installed!



Thanks for being part this ministry through your gifts and prayers!