The Navajo Takes on the Pacific

With all these new aircraft getting ready to go overseas, we have some older ones that we are disposing of. In some cases, that means bringing them back to the U.S. Such is the case for our Piper Navajo RP-C2748, after many years of service to our work in the Philippines.

Today it embarks on the next leg of its flight across the Pacific after several days of delay in Guam, waiting for a replacement part for a failed High Frequency radio.

Just last week our pilots and mechanics were putting the finishing touches on the airplane, including a "ferry tank" to extend its range. Then the team gathered around RP-C2748 and commended it and the two pilots, Roger and Ken, to God's protection on their trip across the Pond.

Now, re-equipped with a High Frequency Radio, they are departing on their next leg, Guam-Tarawa, followed by Christmas Island, and finally American soil, Hilo, Hawaii. After the final and longest jump to California, they will complete the journey to North Carolina. Stay tuned for updates over the next few days.

008 Visits Dallas

The JAARS team took 008 to Dallas this weekend to honor partners who have helped fund this airplane, and to give our co-workers at the International Linguistics Center their first look at this new airplane. Many thanks to the folks at Jet Center of Dallas at the Dallas Executive Airport (old Redbird Airport) for the use of their facilities, and their excellent support. All day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon, we gave rides in the Kodiak, and did several high-performance flight demonstrations.

008 Goes Down for a While

Mark and I have gotten to a good place in our flight training for the Maintenance guys to have some concentrated time with 008. On the agenda: Design of an engine fire detection system, and installation of the High Frequency radio and antenna.

They'll have two uninterrupted weeks to get these projects started, as well as begin the paperwork on the FAA certification of these modifications that will be needed in Papua New Guinea.

Meanwhile, Mark and I will be looking over our notes from 50 hours of flying, examine our Standard Operating Procedure, and training curriculum.

But first I'll be heading out tomorrow to Sandpoint, ID for Quest Mission Team meetings on Wednesday.

JAARS Dedicates 008

We love ceremonies! And the dedication to God's service of our very first Kodiak was a great opportunity for one. This Saturday the JAARS family and other friends came to celebrate this airplane's beginning of service, and to dedicate it to God's work.

Many missionaries that have ridden in just about every kind of bush plane, in every region of the world, crowded around 008 and imagined what it would be like to travel to their ministries in this fine machine.

8KQ Challenges Liberty Students

This weekend we took 8KQ to Medley, West Virginia where we participated in the Liberty University mission aviation retreat. The venue was Heaven's Landing Retreat, the home and brainchild of Mitch and Teresa Pennington. They were gracious hosts to about 30 Liberty students (most of whom are Aviation majors), and representatives from several mission aviaton groups.

Great fellowship, great challenges from the Bible, and great opportunity to share our experiences as mission aviators. Of course, 8KQ was a hit with the students, and though the weather was pretty wet and miserable, it didn't keep them from exploring every nook of the new airplane.

8KQ Hits the Road

It's been a while since an update. Mostly the time has been spent in training Mark, as well as taking the JAARS Kodiak out and seeing what it can do. We've also designed a simple flight demonstration to show folks its capabilities. The JAARS publicity people have also taken the Kodiak on the road to thank donors and supporters that made possible the purchase of N498KQ and the others that follow. Last week we were in Atlanta and Orlando.

We're getting to know this airplane, and developing our operating philosophy as well as our training curriculum for future JAARS pilots of Kodiaks. It's a beautiful, capable airplane - but like I tell everyone who asks about it, "it's only an airplane."

I promise to post some pics about some of our recent flying.

MEANWHILE, the Porter Makes its Destination

After months on the high seast and in various ports, the container with the Porter in it (see "The Porter Goes in the Box," a September blog here) made it to its Southeast Asia destination. Here it will join two others just like it serving missionaries, development organizations and church groups.