What a weekend...actually week.

Where do I start?  Just like every time I get on here I am about to throw up thoughts onto paper. I had what was pretty much the best job ever at the beginning of the week for where I am at in life right now. Increasing my skill as a mechanic while being surrounded by people who constantly made me smile.  I have nothing but good things to say about that shop even though I was let go on Wednesday.  I guess I was initially down about it, but considering where the Lord has brought me it's hardly a big deal.  I am still not sure how I was being paid to be there.  However, I could feel my mind start to get comfortable enough to start thinking about all the things I would like to have vs. what I really need.  I hate money.  It is necessary for life, but such a distraction.  I guess that is one of the many reasons I enjoy the thought of missionary work.  Always having the mindset that God will provide even though it looks like it won't work under human logic.  

One of the things I would like to make note of is that I am very appreciative of everyone reading this thing even though I am hardly a "regular" blogger.  While hanging out around the Kodiak it was pretty awesome to have people I know and those I have never met tell me that they read this.  So thanks.  Hopefully, I will be a little more faithful with the story telling of what is current in my life, because lately it just seems so crazy that all I can do is throw up my arms and say its all you Lord.

This weekend was a very special time for Mission Aviation Fellowship as they came to thank New Heights Church for their support in donating a Quest Kodiak that will help provide physical and spiritual life for people many years to come.  It has been a long road to get it certified and dialed in to the point it is ready for the field.  

After doing a little maintenance on the Servant Wings 172 and a little run down around the waterfront Kodiak #11 landed at Pearson ready for a quick run to Hillsboro for fuel.

To my surprise I was able to get a ride which was pretty sweet.  I think that will be the last time sitting in the back seat (not flying) I will be as excited as I was.  Can you see it in my eyes?

This morning I took a call that was pretty hard. The call of a fellow friend and pilot who went to be with the Lord after getting into an airplane.  I am not sure even what to say about it because I know so little at this point. I do rejoice that he is in a better place, however it is a good reminder of how quick and fragile life is.  I have Pandora Radio on and Chris Rice is singing "Fly to Jesus."  Good stuff.

Well, I guess that is all for now.  Although it has been a pretty sobering day I have enjoyed the fellowship with everyone at the dedication picnic.  Good to see some peeps from church come and support.  I am always so impressed with the people from the family I will join soon.  I am so thankful for the opportunities that have been put before me.  I love the sun, and God is good. Peace.

Oh I have a streak of plane shadow pics so here is a good one of the Kodiak turning base over Hwy 14 for Rwy 26.

Besides the sound of the of the PT-6 spinning up, one of my top favorite things on this bird.

One more...this is Portland, but I am not sure if you can see it with those gigantic flap tracks in the way.

The Chance of a Lifetime

So as I have been slowly clearing out my old computer and going over to the laptop I have ran across some different pictures, college papers, and just randomness.  Here is a draft that was eventually submitted to Leader magazine while I was going through the Air Force program at USC.  Aww...college.  Looking back it seems like a dream.  Enjoy.

Many boys dream about being a fighter pilot one day or even getting a chance to go for a ride in an aircraft of such great performance.  On the seventh and eighth of November 2002, six AF ROTC cadets from USC had the opportunity to live out this dream.

The first day consisted of egress training for those who were first to go up.  This showed us how to exit an F-16 safely in the event of an emergency on the ground or in the air.  We sat in a cockpit where the canopy came down and smoke was simulated to give the real effect of being in a burning plane.  Between the chair, parachute, and survival gear, there is a lot of equipment to strap on when in the F-16.  It is hard enough to jump out of a jet as it is, but if it is burning and you don’t know where to unlatch or detach, it could mean death.  Along with the egress training was some instruction on what to do if we did need to use our parachute.  We were strapped in to a hanging parachute and given a couple different scenarios for what kind of terrain we were about to land on.  In the same room we were told what type of survival equipment we had and how to use it.  Finally we had a short brief on what type of critters to avoid if we found ourselves in the Arizona desert.

There was enough free time to allow us to pick the pilots’ brains with questions on what life as a fighter pilot was like.  They really seemed to enjoy sharing with us, which we all agreed was a highlight of the trip.  One 1^st First Lieutenant went the extra mile in setting up some simulator time before we actually went up for the real thing.  The simulator consisted of to scale size cockpit with all instruments simulating what we were about to see as the real thing.  We were able to feel and get used to the quarter inch movement in the fly by wire stick, which helped a lot by the time we had to take the controls for real.  It seemed to be a lot more sensitive than what most of us expected.  The lieutenant had us take off and then gave us various targets to shoot at.  After about twenty minutes, we were given the opportunity to land using all of the instruments, which we were a little more familiar with by that time  

Before the day of the flight we were all fitted for G-suits, helmets, masks, gloves, and given at least three motion sickness bags.  The fitting of the G-suits was a longer process than most of us expected.  Snaps, laces and zippers made a custom fit of them and we were soon to find out that the process was worth the time.  The process could be compared to that of a woman with a corset in the early twentieth century - very tight fitting.  The fitting process allowed us to talk with all of the pilots who came into the locker room. 

Finally, one of the last steps to qualify us to fly was to get checked out by the Flight Doc.  This consisted of a short briefing on the “G-strain” and what kinds of things to do before take off; get plenty of sleep, eat light foods, no caffeine, and a few other tips.  We were given physicals and were out the door with our paperwork in hand, ready to fly.

Whether we flew on Thursday or Friday we were all ready when it came time to take our seat in the F-16D.  Going into the locker room and seeing my name on the locker and finding all of the customized equipment fitted to my specifications, I felt like I was a part of the 61^st Fighter Squadron for a day.  As I strapped and clipped things on I couldn’t help but think how everything I was putting on was not for comfort, but to keep me alive.  It came time to head for the flight line so I followed the Instructor Pilot and the student out to the van.  The next thing I know I am strapped in to the jet with 29,000 lbs of thrust behind me, brakes on, throttle at full military power, and adrenaline pumping.  After a few more checks on all the systems we were off the ground in formation, quickly moving to a tactical formation, side by side.  Twenty feet wingtip to wingtip!  I have ridden shotgun in a KC-10 with a boom operator where planes get close going relatively fast, but this was definitely a bit different.   

Although each flight was unique, thankfully they all had one thing in common - not a single cadet threw up.  Overall, the trip was a major success and helped keep a freshman cadet  motivated for his ensuing years at Detachment 060.  “After this amazing experience, I would say I am definitely “retained” not only because of the great flight, but the great people I have met.”  A senior cadet was also very impressed by the event, “The Luke AFB visit was my most valuable and interesting event that I will take away from ROTC.”  All of the cadets who participated agree that  it was a highly motivating experience -  the chance of a lifetime.

Left Magneto Breaker Points

As mentioned previously there was an intermittent problem with the left magneto on the 206 which ended up being a nice little project for me while it was down for its annual inspection.  Upon taking the left magneto apart it was clear what the problem was.  The capacitor appeared to have been faulty at one point creating some pitting on the breaker points.  The points were not being allowed to separate from each other allowing the voltage in the primary circuit to go to the secondary which is in turn where the spark is created at the plugs.  After trying one of my freshly produced business cards out on the points to remove what looked to be a grain of sand it was apparent we needed some new points.  I never would have thought this would have happened considering the low time on the engine, but it was yet another great learning experience with Servant Wings as I prepare to get out in the field.

Unlike at A&P school, now I had to re-time the magneto, and fly it away.  There is something pretty awesome about that which I am still trying to put my finger on.  I guess just in general the whole mechanic thing has really grown on me.  I have said it once and will more than likely say it again because of my previous relationship with a wrench and tools in general.  Speaking of tools I need to go clean some...

 

Clarification...

In the record of my adventure up to Everett a few weeks ago I stated that Kodiak #11 was in for paint.  What I meant to say was that it was Kodiak #10 which is not an MAF plane.  But you can still imagine the two planes talking to each other if you would like.  My brain just stops working when I get around Turbine Beavers, Kodiaks, etc.  Now that I think about it, it might have just been the paint I was inhaling.

On the topic of the first MAF Kodiak, my parents informed me last week that the first one is going to have "NH" as the last two letters on the tail signifying the church they attend here in Vancouver (New Heights).  Because the church played such a significant role in the purchase of the plane it will be here at Pearson Field for them to see before heading out to Idaho.  I might have to make the three mile ride for that.

  

So I hope this clarifies things for everyone.  Oh, and Kodiak 10 is going to Malaysia for some lucky bum just in case anyone wanted to know.

N481P is back in the couve

Thursday afternoon I got a call telling me the 206 was done at Sunquest, so I prepared to go the next day to pick it up.  The trip up there was pretty uneventful which is always a good thing in the flying business.  

After looking over the newest Kodiak paint job, I pre-flighted the 206 and taxied out for run-up.  Right mag...check.  Left mag...no dice.  After taxiing back to troubleshoot the mag the problem could not be reproduced after pulling off the cowling.  I taxied out and took off for a late lunch at Tacoma Narrows.  I highly recommend Narrows Landing for lunch!  Very good service and food.   Before taking off I managed to get a photo with the new 206 paint scheme just outside the restaurant.  

481P is a new bird.  The hardware is new, many of the "character" dents were taken out, and to be honest I think it flys a little faster too ;)  Next up is to get the Servant Wings logo on the tail.

 

New paint for an old bird

Well, it has been a while since I have updated this.  Not for a lack of time, but rather a lack of activity.  However today was a little different.  The last week or so I have been watching the weather rather closely up in Everett, WA so I could take a plane up to get a new Servant Wings paint job on it.  This Cessna 206 is not just any ol plane though, it has a pretty colorful history.  When I first started flying it, there was a brief write up about its history in one of the seat backs.

One Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) staff member from Venezuela wrote:

"We retired an old friend.  This was the first Cessna 206 in the Venezuelan program.  During her time here she flew about 9600 hours, carried approximately 4,000,000 pounds of cargo, 20,000 passengers, and covered about 1,250,000 miles.  I know of at least 3 people who entered this world on board her, and a few who went home to eternity.  Tractors, horses, bees, fish, medicine, Bibles, pastors, Love, Hope, and Light were all part of her cargo.  481P is like an old friend that I will miss.  Not just an airplane 481P has been one of God's tools, carrying His love to folks who haven't heard of Him yet."

Pretty incredible.

So today I took advantage of the clear Pacific Northwest day and made the trip up to Paine Field in 481P.  I observed the snow capped mountains of Adams, St. Helens, Rainier, Hood, and a few others.  My dad acting as co-pilot pointed out the strip at Bremerton National that he use to drag race on back in the day which I have heard a few stories about.  

After landing we pulled into Sunquest paint shop which just so happened to be painting the first Quest Kodiak that will be going to MAF.  Unfortunately, I landed a few minutes after they started spraying it so I didn't get any pictures.  I thought it was a pretty good moment though. This plane that has put on over 10,000 hours serving Christ was about to cross paths with the new generation of mission aviation planes.  As I sit writing this I can't help but think about what 481P would say to Kodiak #11.  "Look, I know you feel a little strange at this point being so clean and all.  Don't worry, before you know it you will be filled with all kinds of wonderful people throwing up, giving birth, and learning how to fly you.  In addition you will get to carry some animals that love to be clean.  Soon the masking tape will be off and replaced with mud, nicks, and perhaps a few bugs.  I know you feel pretty strong right now, but soon those crazy pilot/mechanics will get bored with your performance and start cutting on you.  I went under the knife getting modified wings, a gi-normous engine, and a few other things they call 'STCs.' To top it all off they put a mirror on the outside that they said was for 'operational' purposes, but I still think its for the pilots to make sure they look good out in the field. Anyways, don't worry you will be out of here soon."

 

Logbook one...done

Its over. L.A. traffic, the verbal abuse while "instructing", and now the final entry in my first logbook has been made. My Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) checkride filled the last empty spot in my logbook that dates all the way back to 1998. Its barely holding together at this point, but in it there are many stories, lessons learned, and moments of pure exhilaration. On this day of thanks I cannot help but think of how blessed I have been to have all these experiences.

Although not recorded in this logbook I remember back to the first time I was alone with a plane in the air. I was 14. It was a glider which was towed into the air by a truck with a 1000' cable. With the thermals in Euphrata, WA it made for about a three minute flight which for a 14 year old was an absolute riot. As soon as I disconnected the tow line on my solo flight I snapped a little self portrait which makes me smile to this day. The intensity, the passion, the pure love for what I am doing at that exact moment is seen all over my face. I try to keep those characteristics every time I prepare to take the controls, unfortunately I have learned to keep those emotions inside.

Skipping ahead to the year 2004 with a whopping 70 hours under my belt I was a counselor at a summer camp in Molalla, OR. I was asked to give airplane rides for some kids which was an experience I will not forget. With a rented 172 I took 28 kids up in one afternoon. Not sure that I need to explain anymore about that.

Being a part of the greatest Air Force ROTC detachment in the country at USC, I was given opportunities to fly the F-16D. Being strapped to the front of 29,000 lbs of thrust is something that few have the opportunity to enjoy and enjoy it I did. Watching Top Gun does not do justice for what a plane looks like passing at 800+ knots within 100 yards. The feeling of weighing 180 lbs one second and 1620 lbs the next while trying to keep all the blood in my head definitely tops the list for my aviation moments.

The summer of 2006 Servant Wings acquired the first plane of its fleet, a Cessna 172 which I helped ferry from Orlando, FL to Portland, OR. Every stop was a new experience. Figuring out weather, cheapest gas stops, and navigating without GPS was all part of the fun in getting back home. I made the worst decision to this day as a pilot on my way out of Denver. It was similar to the way many accident stories start. It usually takes three bad decisions or omissions in preflight for an accident to occur. I took off at max gross...from Denver...in August...later than planned...and did not lean the mixture. Did I learn that day? You bet. There is no classroom or book I could read that teaches what I learned that day.

The seaplane. I had heard all this talk about how great it is. I thought there was no way that flying an airplane in the water environment could ever live up to all the hype. This last summer I had some time to find out. Yeah, it blows the hype out of the water. Flying into a secluded mountain lake, beaching the plane, and then jumping into the water on a 90 degree day is what some might classify as refreshing ;)

Finally, I have spent the last six weeks in Santa Monica, CA working long and stressful hours on my CFI rating which has been the hardest work I have done with regards to aviation. I found out pretty quick that I have the ability to talk a lot without saying anything. Standing up at a white board constantly being challenged helped me not only as a teacher and pilot, but also as a person communicating thoughts in my head to others. Getting in a plane with an instructor who acts as a child one moment pressing buttons and then turns into a yelling drill instructor the next was more experience recorded in my first logbook. It was all preparation for the final exam which was similar, only with a few added elbows to the stomach when I used the wrong words to explain how to do something.

These experiences have all been collected and given to me by the Lord so that I may serve Him better. I make my way over to Idaho in ten days to begin my two week evaluation with Mission Aviation Fellowship. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare and travel.

Back to the books...