Saturday, November 16, 2013

FREE AV GAS!!!

I'll have more to write about this later, but for now… I have to share these photos with you and simply say that… you have to look far and wide in this world to find free aviation fuel (100 low lead).  In fact, I would love to hear from anyone who has found free aviation fuel.

After trying to raise $37,000 to get a 20 foot shipping container from the US to Africa, someone else had a better idea… FREE FUEL!

Enjoy these photos of 80 barrels of 100LL being delivered to Bongolo Hospital's depot in Libreville- 30 of the drums are purchased for us from the Gabonese minister of health for this year.  The other 50 are ours to keep until we need them.  The Bongolo Hospital's administrative director says that he has complete confidence that the minister of health will include the purchase of the other 50 drums for 2014!




WHAT AN AMAZING SIGHT!!!
Praise God for this provision!

FUELING PROGRESS Impact-  We still are tracking the fueling progress contributions from the past year or so.  15 of those barrels have been sent out (June 16, 2013) from the US and more will follow until that program's fuel is complete.  Those contributions kept us operational for the past 3 months!  Those that invested in the FP effort gave us the life we needed so that the above pictures were possible!  The minister of health's contribution comes as a response to a flight program that they see as active and effective.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Flight Global Interview


(the following interview will appear inside the back cover of Flight International- an aviation related periodical)



FG:  When did you decide to work in Aviation?
SS:  The aviation "bug" bit me as a teenager during a flight in a '48 Taylorcraft taildragger,
Photo: Trent Bell
piloted by my older brother.  Early, on a clear, crisp fall morning in Pennsylvania, before I had to be at school, we lifted off a grass strip and toured the skies above Happy Valley (State College).  I was hooked!  It was like the world below had come to a complete standstill to make way for this surreal experience. 

FG: Where were you trained and educated?  What degrees or ratings do you hold?
SS: I have a B.S. in Aviation Technology from LeTourneau University (Longview, TX).  There, I received my Airframe and Powerplant maintenance certificate, as well as my flight training as a Commercial, Instrument single engine and flight instructor ratings.  Later, I completed multi-engine training.

FG: What was your first aviation job? What jobs did you have after that?
SS: I was free-lancing as a

Friday, November 8, 2013

Mechanic Geek Talk on the Continental IO-550-F and -N Engines

Since I'm getting SO much great feedback about all the technical aviation stuff (note sarcasm), I thought I'd post some great info regarding how things are going with a modification that we have done to our aircraft (Cessna 207)- installation of a Continental IO-550-F 300 horsepower engine.

Our new pilot-mechanic, Rob, has recently interacted with a couple other pilots, (one in Africa; one in South America) and has come up with some great insights to this engine installation and operation.

The dialogue is representative of how the mission aviation community helps one another out and really sees one another as colleagues in being the hands and feet of God.  Enjoy!


Submitted by Jeremiah Diedrich SIL Aviation Porto Velho, Brazil

I'll share with you what we have learned in 250 hours of IO-550N flying on our 206 and 500 hours of IO-550N on the Asas de Socorro float 206. 


PERFORMANCE TESTS & CHARTS:  One of the things that we have done to measure our performance is to do some test flights with the...

PROJECT: Smooth Ride Modification


Here is a description of a modification to our aircraft that would dampen the harsh forces that our high powered engine imposes on the airframe, components, pilot, and passengers.  We are seeking interested people to sponsor this upgrade.  Please contact me at gabonpilot@gmail.com if interested.
This info comes from the Atlantic Aero website:

Atlantic Aero introduces a revolutionary innovation in engine technology with the SmoothRide Engine Mount System, STC for Cessna 200 series aircraft. Developed and manufactured exclusively by Atlantic Aero, the STC kit includes a newly designed and tested six-point engine mount that provides a dramatic reduction of engine vibration to the cockpit environment. 

The increased stability of the SmoothRide Engine Mount System prevents engine mount sag during engine life and maintains a centered thrust line. Engine vibrations are significantly decreased from takeoff to touchdown, reducing fatigue and stress on both the airplane and the pilot. Additional reductions in vibration can be expected in Cessna 206/207 and Cessna 210 aircraft which have undergone Atlantic Aero’s IO-550 conversion program. 

(More technical aviation stuff continues)...

Engine isolators are increased from four to six, while dual front mounts add strength and...

PROJECT: Aircraft Exhaust Modification

Here is a description of a modification to our aircraft that would increase engine performance and decrease the time spent on repairing or replacing parts.  We are seeking interested people to sponsor this upgrade.  Please contact me at gabonpilot@gmail.com if interested.

This information was taken from the website of Leading Edge Exhaust Systems:


Best Pipes and Warranty in the Business!
How many times have you asked yourself, Why can´t they build exhaust systems that last as long as engine TBO? The long awaited answer you have been searching for is finally here…Leading Edge Exhaust Systems, LLC, (LEES) located in Anchorage Alaska has solved the inherent problems that have plagued the stock OEM exhaust collectors since their inception. 
(Warning!!!  More geeky aircraft technical stuff ahead! )