Arrivals and Departures

This Past Week's Flights

2012-01-28T11:14:00.000+01:00

FRIDAY: 2 patients and 2 chaperones shuttled to the Bongolo Hospital! It was a bit surprising, but the passengers covered the operational costs of it all! It was a bit last minute, but, as we get our air evacuation op's up and going, we’ll see more and more last minute flights and need to be prepared.

Every half hour I document readings of oil pressure & temp, fuel flow, cylinder head temp, exhaust gas temp, etc. This is thanks, mainly, to a great little engine monitor called a JPI EDM-700 (see picture). We’ve been seeing really uniform readings. We’ve got a great machine.

I’ve rotated in some fuel that was purchased previously with recently purchased fuel. Filtering is done with every single drop that goes in the tank. I’m really watching the fuel quality/handling issues.

So, the blending of fuel is all done in the right wing tank of the aircraft in keeping with standard op’s from many mission aviation org's. In this way, for critical times of flight (takeoff/landing) the left tank is used. During cruise, the right tank is burned. Also- never less than 10 gallons in any tank at any given time- over twice what Cessna calls “unusable”. This is in keeping with MSI’s prescription. In all, it’s working great.

I was in Nigeria on Monday and Tuesday helping my German friend, Egmont, and his agricultural company that had their 2^nd aircraft stuck there. So, he flew us up there in their cool twin turbo prop (a Piper Cheyenne), we stayed the night, and then the next day I flew their smaller twin engine aircraft (Beechcraft Baron) back to Gabon (over the Atlantic for some of that).

That's the update for now! I'll be posting all of January's stats in my newsletter (sign up your email on the right to receive it).

A place for everything, and everything...

2012-01-21T12:14:00.000+01:00

So, thanks to the hard work of the guys at the Lebamba airstrip (Bongolo Hospital airstrip), our airplane can get to the hangar! A nice, new, larger culvert will now help in solving the erosion problem we were having across the runway. A special thanks to Dr. Thompson for directing this project!

Here's where we have been parking for the last year or so- right on the grass strip.

Now, with our new culvert in place, we can get to the ramp area and then...

... into the hangar! To the right is our project foreman, Andre'.

The aircraft fits snugly- only a foot and a half clearance on either side.

And now, thanks to an enhancement from our Bongolo team member, Paul D., we can have some water and give our aircraft a much needed bath!


As you can see, the airplane had become nice and dirty. "Lavez-moi"- I suppose most of you can figure out what that means!?!

My aircraft washing partner is Fidele. He has flown with me previously and was very happy to help me shine up the aircraft.

African Skies (subtitle: The Wait is Over)

2012-01-17T18:46:00.002+01:00

With great optimism, first thing Monday morning, I moved into position at the front door of the civil aviation offices to get my document and slap down my $500 for 3 months of flight privileges.

I had so much optimism that I had already pre-flighted the airplane, loaded in the luggage, medications, and medical equipment AND filed my flight plan!

However... the waiting game that had started a week earlier resumed once I got inside the front door and was told that we were waiting on one last signature.

I got to the office of the inspector to get a closer look and actually saw the flight permit document on the screen of a monitor! We're getting close! Then... the person that needed to sign the document left for a two hour meeting! UGH! This lead to 2 passengers cancelling- a sick young man and his chaperone. They simply didn't have the time to wait. This part was a bit sad.

Due to the lapse of time, I had to void my original flight plan and later deposit another one. So much for optimism! However, I stayed at my post in the lobby of civil aviation and was there to welcome back the person whose signature we were waiting for. 20 minutes later, I was paying, getting the receipt, and taking care of loading passengers! WE HAD THE PERMISSION!!!


I entered in our destination on the GPS to "LEBAM" (Lebamba) and followed the straight line! Here we are passing over the Ngounie' River near the village of Fougamou (a word that is fun to say... and the name of one of our cats).

Our passengers were very happy (some were drousy!)! Dr. Loua R. is next to me- he is a surgical resident in the PAACS program at Bongolo Hospital. In the back seat is the Hofman family. Wendy is the ophthalmologist at Bongolo and also runs a training program. Behind our passengers is sensitive equipment for the hospital that would not survive the trip by car.

A note from Dr. Wendy Hofman:

"During this flight to Bongolo, AMB transported two pieces of equipment that are very important to the functioning of the eye clinic. One of the pieces is an indirect ophthalmoscope which had just been repaired in the US and allows the doctor to examine the retina inside the eye to help diagnose and treat diseases that manifest there. The other piece of equipment, which was also just repaired in the US, is an autorefractor and autokeratometer, which allows us to calculate the power of the lens implant that is placed inside the eye during surgery after the cataract is removed. Without this piece of equipment, we do not operate on cataracts at all, because the right lens implant is essential to achieving good postoperative vision. Since we now have this apparatus, we will restart surgeries this week."

This is the "serious" look from the cockpit, along with my SPOT flight tracking device. It showed that it was sending out good signals, but later the online display only showed three "hits"- I'm looking into that.

A hazy day with some clouds to dodge.

A small village in the rain forest of Gabon.

After an hour and forty minutes and a quick buzz over the Bongolo Hospital, we were lining up on final approach for runway zero-nine.

Touchdown!

Back taxi to the reception area.

Back on terra firma! It has been quite a while since N207FD had visited the Bongolo airstrip.


We are having some erosion control work done on the runway, so we had a nice welcoming committee plus Dr. Thompson was there to gather the passengers, take photos, and return to the hospital with Paul D.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

Meanwhile... Back at the Ranch...

2012-01-15T17:04:00.002+01:00

A lot has been happening with the airplane- its' arrival in Libreville and the race to get all the permits and start to fly. While all that has been happening, work on the Lebamba airstrip at the Bongolo Hospital has been happening. Last year, the government inspector said that he wanted to see some work to curtail the erosion that was happening on the strip.

This is a photo from December of 2009. You can see the erosion issues that we were facing across this culvert. Our aircraft uses this crossing to pass over the drainage ditch to get to the ramp area. It became so bad that we used sandbags to control the erosion. So... we needed a longer term solution.

So, Dr. Thompson put together a plan and hired a crew to get it done.

Phase one was destroying the existing culvert.

Then it was on to laying down the rebar and pouring cement.

Here it is formed up. It's about twice as long as before and will handle quite a bit more of the runoff- keeping it from exiting across the runway and eroding our surface there.

Here's our project director in action! He's sporting his "Indiana Jones" look! Quality control is a big part of the job. We are thankful for Dr. Dave's oversight to this project, our local workers, and Paul D. who is giving time away from maintaining the Bongolo campus to provide supplies and logistics to this effort.

Fueling Progress Update! 15 BARRELS TO GO!!!

2012-01-15T15:55:00.001+01:00

AS OF 15 JANUARY 2012... only 15 more barrels to go!!!

Only $475 to sponsor a barrel! Join this critical effort to keep our aircraft flying!

What is this all about? How do you get involved? CLICK HERE!

What Now? Subtitle: Seeking Flight Permits

2012-01-15T15:36:00.000+01:00

For the aircraft's first week in Libreville, we took up residence in an unused hangar. The lease for this hangar is up for renewal, so we benefited from some ambiguity while we took out the additional reservoir tanks and did some odds and ends.

Speaking of odds and ends... the extra fuel tanks that were used had been connected via a "T" fitting into the fuel lines under that pilots' and co-pilots' floor board.

It was not easy to reattach those fittings, but with the encouragement of Joe and Sam (who were playing basketball inside the hangar), we got 'er done.

This past week, I scheduled the inspection from the Gabonese civil aviation offices. The aircraft was pulled out on to the ramp area.

The inspectors came to the aircraft a total of 3 times. The last time we ran the engine and did operational checks of the flap system, avionics, and braking.

The aircraft, in this photo, is sitting in front of a hangar that our aviation support group would like to see get turned into a base of operations at the Libreville airport. Since the hangar can only be accessed by smaller aircraft, it is a great fit. Please pray for approval from the airport authority!


Until we find a home to hangar our aircraft, this is where we'll be parking- between two, defunct, "Dash 8" regional airliners.

By the end of the week, after 3 visits to the airplane and many, many documents handed in, civil aviation was still asking for more. They had given me the impression that everything was fine on Friday morning, so, in the afternoon, I came to their offices around 3pm and literally stood for 2 hours in front of the receptionists desk, waiting for my document that gives me authorization to fly in Gabon for the next 3 to 6 months.

Finally, one of the inspectors emerged from his office and called me back. He told be he still was not happy because our aircraft still had the same engine on it as it did when we had our forced landing in 2010. I explained to him that the loss of power that led to that event was not a problem that originated in the engine, rather, it was the fuel system. I reminded him that the engine has powered our aircraft through the "return to service" flights in the US as well as the 46 hours of flight that brought it from the US, over the Atlantic Ocean, to Gabon.

So, he asked that I create a document outlining these things, and bring it by on Saturday- he assured that he would be working. So, frustrated, I returned home to try and enjoy my last evening with Alace and the kids before they set off to Cameroon to get back to the spring semester of school. Saturday afternoon, I dropped off the document they wanted. They assured me that my flight authorization is all written up and ready to go. I told them that I will need this as soon as their office opens on Monday because our first flight to Bongolo Hospital is set for that morning.

Please pray with me that this document will, indeed, be ready and that our 10am departure from Libreville to Bongolo can happen.

TOUCHDOWN IN LIBREVILLE!

2012-01-04T00:14:00.001+01:00

At about 8:20pm local time (2:20pm EST), N207FD made a flawless landing on runway 1-6 at the Libreville International Airport (GABON). After the tower controller realized that he sent John, our ferry pilot, taxiing the wrong way, the aircraft turned around and found a welcoming party of about 20 people, excited to see him and the aircraft. Here are some images from that great occasion:

Taxiing to park at the final destination from a long, long trip! 49 flight hours over 8 days from Kansas to Gabon!

After applause from the crowd, John crawled out from the cockpit to be welcomed by me (center), and our good friend, Egmont.

Our family, plus John and Egmont. We are so blessed by John's service to us.

I assure you that I am Alace's favorite pilot, but tonight... John was a close second!

As much as John loves to fly airplanes, he was very happy to be at his destination and be greeted by so many thankful people! We are truly grateful for him.

One of the avionic tech's that worked on my airplane left this little gift for me in the airplane. An inside joke about an emergency landing 20 years ago when I was a back seat passenger in a flight school airplane that ended up striking a cow in a field.

Very thoughtful Ben W.!!!

The welcoming committee was out in full force! I'm really surprised that the airport police didn't shut us down. We were taking so many pictures!

Here's a shot of the three guys present with "the right stuff"!

A small token of our appreciation to John for his great skill and bravery in transporting this small aircraft over oceans, deserts, and land, from one continent to another.

Another gift for John's company- Weaver Aero. It's an "Mbigou" stone carving of our organizations logo. This stone is from the ground, here in Gabon, and is good for carving into great shapes. Thank you Weaver Aero for your great service to us!

When asked for a comment... I was speechless! "Glory to God" was all that I could muster. What a great event this evening was.

A prayer of thanksgiving and dedication.

...and a special blessing from our business agent and friend, Pastor Sangoye! NOW we are ready to fly!

Many of you joined us as we watched the "SPOT" tracker pinpoint the aircraft's location along the journey. We want to thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, and financial support. This is no small effort and could not have been done without many people joining to assist in carrying their share of the load. We thank you from the bottom of our heart. Words can not express how much you all mean to this effort and to our program. Merci beaucoup! May God richly bless you.

Ouagadougou!!! (It's fun to say...)

2012-01-02T22:08:00.000+01:00

Here's what today's flight from Grand Canary Islands to Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) looked like on SPOT:

For a while, we were convinced that John, our pilot, had mistakenly put his destination in as Bamako, but then, he took a big left turn toward Burkina Faso and continued on. We'll get the inside scoop from John later, but, it is likely that the air traffic folks gave him their preferred routing to keep better tabs on him.

Passing over Mauritania is quite desolate, but it has quite a cool oval feature called "Guelb Er Richat". Here's a photo:

Arrival at Ouagadougou!!!

The pronunciation of this town is like this... "WAH-GAH-DO-GOO". In my opinion, it's one of the funnest city names to say!

Only one more leg of the journey- Ouaga to Libreville. We were thankful, today, to get the authorization needed for the landing.

Canada and TransAtlantic Flight Complete!!!

2011-12-31T16:56:00.001+01:00


Weaver did our last ferry flight as well. They're the pro's!!!

On the 29th, John, our pilot from Weaver Aero, continued the journey with our Cessna 207. He made the 4 hour trip from Bangor, Maine (US) to St. Johns, Newfoundland (Canada) landing on runway 2-9 with a crosswind that was gusting up to 40 knots... in the dark! The tower controller turned the runway lights up to full intensity to assist him in getting lined up and making the approach.

After getting a rest, he spent some time evaluating a questionable looking weather system in his path, over the Atlantic Ocean. When the time was right, he launched out on the journey at about 9pm, EST. A colleague of his was passing by on the same route in a Cessna Caravan, so he took the occasion to fly the route just behind him.

Here is how the flight looked for those following on Flight Aware:

Apparently, Flight Aware is able to track private aviation flights outside North America! I thought they only tracked commercial aviation in those parts of the world. Either way, we have another tool to use- SPOT satellite tracker. Here is what that looks like:

Here is the link to SPOT tracking: CLICK HERE

There is no altitude or speed information, but it is good for remote parts of the world.

John will be departing around 4:30am EST tomorrow, January 01, 2012, for his trip to the Grand Canary Islands. GO JOHN GO!!!

Day One Finished- Canada Here We Come!!!

2011-12-29T20:04:00.001+01:00

N207FD spent the night in Bangor, Maine after a 9 hour plus flight from Kansas.


Final approach over Interstate 95 in Bangor, ME

Thanks to the extra tanks in the back seat, our Cessna 207 can remain airborne for 15 hours at a time!

Today's flight is international! St. Johns, Newfoundland (Canada) is the destination!

Follow the flights live or check out the history of flights when you have time by checking the FLIGHT AWARE website: CLICK HERE

Here is what today's flight looked at prior to takeoff on the Flight Aware website:

After today's flight, we will switch to a SPOT tracking device website. More on that in the next post.

PREPARE FOR LAUNCH!!!

2011-12-27T10:13:00.001+01:00

Our aircraft is getting geared up for the big trip from Kansas (USA) to Gabon. Here it is in the hangar in Weaver Aero, north of Wichita, KS.

In this photo, you can see the yellow straps holding down the fuel tanks that have been added for the big trip across the "pond". The trajectory will be Kansas to Bangor, Maine (USA), to St. Johns, Newfoundland (CANADA), to Azores Islands (PORTUGAL), to the Grand Canary Islands (SPAIN), to Ouagadougou (BURKINA FASO), to Libreville (GABON)!

While the aircraft is in radar contact in North America, you can track it at this link: FLIGHT AWARE

After it leaves N. American airspace, it will, most likely, have another tracking device. When we get the details of how you might be able to follow this, we'll let you know.

Fuel Barrel Bonanza!

2011-12-12T17:45:00.001+01:00

As of today we are at 54 out of 78 barrels sponsored! Here's what the graphic looks like:

We've heard from some others, and there is potentially some large gifts on the horizon! Until then, YOU are needed to get involved so we can finish filling our shipping container with fuel barrels. Get involved! Help this Christmas gift for central Africa become a reality! Thanks for the continued support.

What is all this about? Read more about the FUELING PROGRESS effort: Click Here

VIDEO- The Most Beautiful

2011-11-26T00:21:00.000+01:00

Enjoy this video from our good friend, Pastor Jacob Mouele, singing "Tu Es La Plus Belle" (You are the most beautiful).

Fuel Drum Madness!!!

2011-11-19T15:25:00.000+01:00

I've just been given the updated tally's from our "Fueling Progress" effort and.... (drumroll) ... in the past two weeks, we jumped from 28 to 47 drums out of our need for 78 drums!!! WOW!

Only 31 drums remain "sponsor-less". Please join this effort before it's all said and done! CLICK HERE to find out the whole deal.

Here is the new updates "Stack 'o Barrels", for all those keeping track:


Only 31 fuel drums remaining!!!

Taking Flight!

2011-11-10T11:54:00.000+01:00

Here is the video of the first time that N207FD took flight in over a year and a half! Enjoy!

Fueling Progress Update

2011-11-03T16:12:00.000+01:00

As of today, 28 fuel drum barrels have been sponsored in our Fueling Progress effort to fill a 20 foot shipping container with 78 drums! Please consider getting in on this effort to kick-start our self-sustaining fuel program! What's this all about? CLICK HERE for all the details.

Want to keep tabs on how we are doing? Below is a hi-tech graphic that we'll update in a timely manner so that we can see our progress. You can see this graphic by hitting the "Fueling Progress Update" tab above.

Summary of Aircraft Repairs/Corrections/Upgrades

2011-11-01T15:58:00.000+01:00

MMS Aviation started the work on our aircraft at the start of this past February. In the past 9 months, a lot has been accomplished. As I said before, I believe this is the best shape that our aircraft has been in since leaving the production line in 1982. As we come to a close of the work here, I thought it would be good to review all that has been done. Here is the work in summary:

> 76 repairs/corrections to the Fuselage & Empennage (tail)
> 20 repairs/corrections to the Wings
> 16 repairs/corrections to the Landing Gear
> 11 repairs/corrections to the Engine & Propeller

Here is an exhaustive list of all that has been done:

Fuselage/Empennage (76 repairs/corrections)

1. Forward cargo door dent repaired

2. Dented Right leading edge of horizontal stabilizer replaced with Tanalian screw-in leading edge

3. Left, right, and (2) center main landing gear castings inspected using Eddy current

4. Forward and aft wing attach fittings, nose gear attach fittings, and strut attach fittings inspected by Eddy current

5. Aft main landing gear bulkhead, left, right, and center main landing gear castings inspected by fluorescent penetrant

6. Replaced battery box base

7. Replaced gascolator grommets, o-rings, and gasket

8. Right front engine mount assembly inspected with zyglo fluorescent dye penetrant

9. Right front engine mount forward bracket replaced

10. Serviced battery

11. Right firewall stiffener replaced

12. Fabricated and installed new right tunnel wall

13. Replaced damaged right forward keel bulkhead

14. Repaired right lower firewall

15. Bent whiffletree support bracket replaced

16. Bent upper whiffletree support replaced

17. Cracked right front engine mount assembly doubler replaced

18. Chaffed right rear engine mount assembly doubler replaced

19. Chaffed right rear engine mount assembly bracket replaced

20. Cracked rear engine mount assembly forward channel reinforced with doubler

21. Cracked left forward engine mount doubler replaced

22. Bent right forward leg of the lower doubler assembly repaired with splice patch

23. Replaced cracked center inboard seat rail

24. Replaced corroded right hand door sill and support assembly

25. Removed and flushed right fuel header tank

26. Replaced rusted and worn left fuel header tank drain

27. Replaced right aft lower fuel line due to damage

28. Replaced corroded main landing gear aft bulkhead upper cap

29. Replaced cracked main landing gear forward bulkhead assembly

30. Repaired right hand outboard bulkhead

31. Replaced damaged right hand frame attach gusset

32. Replaced sheared rivet on the inboard of the copilot’s forward door post

33. Replaced cracked rear spar carry thru

34. Installed a doubler to the cracked lower flange of the left upper bulkhead

35. New co-pilot seat back lever replaced

36. Worn co-pilot seat rollers replaced

37. Replace fire extinguisher

38. Replaced damaged bottom skin under the forward side of the cargo door

39. Replaced damaged left splice and left clip at station 120

40. Replaced damaged fuel line assembly behind pilots aft door post

41. Replaced damaged fuel line assembly behind copilots aft door post

42. Replaced damaged left and right fuel line assemblies that pass through landing gear bulkheads

43. Replaced damaged right hand brake line assembly in forward belly area

44. Replaced damaged left and right fuel line assemblies (new brackets installed for aft fuel line support)

45. Replaced left and right hand fuel hose

46. Replaced frayed elevator down cable assembly

47. Replaced right side aft cabin channel

48. Repaired left side aft cabin channel with doubler channel

49. Tail cone repairs from station 168 to station 239 (skins, bulkheads, stringers, and frames replaced)

50. ELT mount replaced

51. Aircraft painted

52. Replaced damaged ELT buzzer

53. Replaced chaffed hinge pin on right side cowl flap.

54. Weight and balance performed

55. Replaced the cracked Brackett air filter assembly with new part and new filter

56. Replaced frayed transponder antenna cable

57. Multiple unused wires behind instrument panel and circuit breaker panel were identified and either removed or capped

58. Circuit breaker replaced and reorganized to be better marked and placarded

59. Replaced missing rudder bonding strap

60. Replaced a missing left side eyebrow light housing assembly and 6 burnt out bulbs

61. Repaired the post/instrument lighting circuit

62. Replaced old nav antenna cable in the top of the vertical fin

63. Restored landing and taxi light switches to correct part and orientation

64. Repaired broken part to instrument panel below the engine instrument gages

65. Removed 2 unused King KA-39 voltage converters in nose avionics bay

66. Inoperative tachometer replace by overhauled unit

67. Inoperative avionics cooling fan replaced

68. Inoperative forward cargo door switch wiring repaired and fuse replaced

69. ELT tested and reprogrammed

70. Replace missing elevator bonding straps

71. Replace leaking encoder

72. Installed new tail nav light

73. Installed new static wick on right elevator

74. Replaced worn mixture rod end

75. Replaced leaking fuel line aft of the auxiliary fuel pump

76. Repaired broken door stop on aft cargo door

Wings (20 repairs/corrections)

1. Right and Left wing installation with multiple new bolts, nuts, and washers

2. Right wing, aileron, and flap rebuilt by Williams Airmotive (IN)

3. Replaced right wing Horton wing tip

4. Installation of right wing aileron and flap with multiple new bolts, nuts, washers, and static wicks

5. New right strut and fairings installed

6. New right nav light assembly installed

7. Left wing cable pulleys lubed and reinstalled

8. Replaced corroded left wing fuel tank drain valve

9. Repaired cracked left wing outboard aileron hinge bracket outboard attach angle

10. Left aileron reinstalled with new hardware, bearings, bushings, and bolts

11. Replaced worn left aileron hinge bearings

12. Repaired stripped pitot tube mounting screw threads

13. Replaced left wing tank due to age and brittleness

14. Replaced left wing tip nav light

15. Installed missing left aileron bonding strap

16. Replaced left wing flap primary bellcrank bearings, pivot bushing and bolt

17. Replaced incorrect rollers on left flap with new, correct rollers

18. Replaced left flap inboard flap arms

19. Repaired the left flap upper inboard skin, inboard bay, in area of trailing edge damage and cracks.

20. Replaced damaged flap motor micro switch and flap follower system microswitch

Landing gear (16 repairs/corrections)

1. Right main landing gear axle and main wheel attachment fitter inspected by magnaflux inspection

2. Right main landing attachment and axle were reinstalled using new hardware

3. Right main wheel and brake inspected and many parts replaced- bearing cone & cup, discs, linings, hardware

4. Worn right side brake master cylinder lower attach bracket assembly replaced

5. Installed new right main landing gear spring and fairings

6. Installed new brake line for right gear

7. Left main landing gear axle and left main wheel attachment fitting inspected by magnaflux

8. Left main wheel attachment and axle were reinstalled using new hardware

9. Left main wheel and brake inspected and reinstalled with many new parts- bearing cone & cup, disc, linings, and hardware

10. Left main landing gear spring inspected using NDT testing

11. Bent nose strut brace and bent wheel rim were replaced and reinstalled with new hardware

12. Shimmy dampner and nose gear reinstalled using many new hardware

13. Left and right whiffletree control rods straightened, inspected and reinstalled with new bolts

14. Replaced main gear bushings in left and right main gear castings

15. New left and right brake hoses, from main gear to brake caliper were fabricated

16. Correctly sized main wheels installed

Engine & Propeller (11 repairs/corrections)

1. Tightened loose field terminal on the alternator

2. Replaced broken clamp holding the oil dipstick

3. Added protection to the standby vacuum pressure sensor line where it passes through the firewall

4. Installed 4 new engine mount bolts with new washers

5. Overhauled fuel pump

6. Throttle and fuel control unit inspected and tested.

7. Manifold valve inspected and tested

8. Cleaned and inspected all fuel injectors and fuel lines from the flow divider to the fuel injectors

9. Removed jagged edges to exhaust pipe ends

10. Adjusted high/low boost pump micro switch on throttle

11. Replaced deteriorated left exhaust hangar shock mounts

Finishing Touches- MMS Aviation week #4

2011-11-01T15:17:00.003+01:00

No flights yet, but progress continues as we see N207FD in the best condition ever, since leaving the production line at Cessna Aircraft Company in 1982! Enjoy the photos:


For breakfast "pea soup" was on the menu! Thick Fog blanketed Coshocton, Ohio


The sun came up and started to burn through.


The fog has not kept the crew at MMS Aviation from their work! Our aircraft is in the back and the Cessna 172 in the foreground belongs to "Gospel Carriers" (Maryland) who minister among Chinese believers who live in the USA.


You can see that we've mounted the new propeller governor- the small component above the brown pipe. We'll test its' settings when we run up the engine later today or tomorrow morning.

Also near the front of the airplane is work that has been done in the avionics bay, located just in front of the pilot's feet.


Here's a closer look into the bay. Phil, one of the pros here at MMS, has created a "shelf" to secure part of the HF radio to. Everytime you do work like this, there is a good amount of paperwork to send to the FAA as well as testing to make sure everything is in compliance and safe.

Here, in the cockpit, you can see Tim working on the other side of the avionics bay to attach lines through to the back of the HF radio control face. The radio face is located in the center panel- the radio with the big dial.

Here is a closer look at the HF Radio control face. It sits out from the panel a bit, but it is not in the way of any dials or cockpit functions. This radio will allow our aircraft to speak to ground units all around the world. It is especially needed in Africa where air traffic control centers are few and far between. It will be linked into the audio system and can be used with the pilots' headset, just like all the other radios.


From the cockpit looking to the rear of the airplane, we see the other work associated with the HF Radio- the antenna installation. Phil and Mike have mounted the radio tuner and are now making the holes in the skin where the antenna will go through. The mattress is to help Phil as he lays upside down to work.


A closer look and you can see a tiny hole where the antenna will go through. To the right, is the WX500 stormscope unit (black case). The HF radio tuner will be attached to the "roof" of the tail- the bracket is being fabricated as I write this.

Here is Mike, working on that tiny hole for the antenna.


Yesterday I had visitors! Larry and Debbie S. from Ashtabula, Ohio were in the area and stopped to say hello. They attend the Edgewood Alliance (C&MA) Church (Pastor Gary Russel) and had heard that the aircraft for the Bongolo Hospital was nearby. We had a great visit!

DID YOU KNOW???

MMS Aviation has been around since 1975 and has put in over 11,000 maintenance hours saving mission aviation organizations, like ours (Air Calvary), approximately $450,000 in labor expenses! One of their projects was the restoration of the aircraft used in the movie "End of the Spear". The project leader on our aircraft repair, Dale Coates, was also the project leader on that job. In this photo, Dale (left) is standing with Steve Saint (center- son of martyr, Nate Saint), along side Dwight Jarboe (MMS president).

Pictures from the Equator

2011-10-30T04:52:00.000+01:00

Meanwhile, back in the jungles of central Africa....


Luke and Fitia- good buddy's in the jungle!


Azar braiding Sarah's hair.


Sarah and baby Esther.


Zach and Jen- both surgeon's joining the Bongolo team in May after language school in Switzerland.


OOPS!


Rainy season has arrived!


More rain.


Sunset over the hills behind Bongolo.


This tree fell just millimeters from one of the homes on the station! Thankfully, no one was hurt.


5 snakes have been killed around the station in 5 days! Thankfully, no one has been bit.


Luke and Dan working on the bamboo fort.


This visitor, Suzanne, helped with beautification around the Bongolo mission. Last Friday, Suzanne and a Bongolo teammate, Joanna, planted 24 plumeria trees, 40 hibiscus plants, and 30 fuschia bushes!

A special thanks to Joanna for the pictures and notes. She reports that no snow has been spotted at Bongolo, but they are keeping their eyes open!

Plan A... Plan B... Plan C... and beyond

2011-10-29T22:18:00.000+01:00

Quick Update:

I think we may be on "Plan C" at this point. The schedule has changed a few times...

HF Radio installation that was approved by the FAA at the last minute is the current project that we are focused on. Early this past week, we were surprised to find that additional parts needed to be ordered. Long story short, the aircraft interior was sufficiently pulled apart to keep us from doing some of the final items that remain on our list during the time we wait on parts, so... we have a new TENTATIVE schedule:

Monday, 31 October
> HF parts arrive
> HF radio install wraps up

Tuesday, 01 November
> Electro-Magnetic Interference test
> Compass Swing
> Fuel injection system adjustments
> New Propeller Governer testing and adjustments
> Local flights to start evaluation of all work (as well as any needed tweaks)

Wednesday, 02 November
> Wrap up local flights
> 1st Cross-Country to York, PA

Thursday, 03 November
> 2nd Cross-Country to State College, PA

Friday, 04 November
> 3rd Cross-Country back to MMS Aviation for any additional tweaks
> 4th Cross-Country to Indiana

Saturday, 05 November
> 5th Cross-Country to Kansas
> Steve returns to York area commercially

I'll keep you all posted!!! Pray for good weather and smooth work at MMS.

SNOW!!!

2011-10-29T16:54:00.001+01:00

See more SNOW! pictures- CLICK HERE

Family Video

2011-10-26T18:11:00.000+01:00

Our home church, York Alliance Church, put together a nice video update that they viewed a few weeks ago as part of an update during their morning worship services. The video was shot by our dear friend, Wendy, and Chris, another good friend for YAC, polished it all up and spliced it into the finished product. Enjoy!

Straw Global Update from Chris Horsman on Vimeo.

Week #3 at MMS Aviation

2011-10-25T17:33:00.002+01:00


Sunrise at MMS Aviation

After a 6 hour road trip yesterday, I am once again at MMS Aviation to assist in the final stages of preparing the aircraft for service in Africa.

This morning, we evaluated the situation and have a tentative plan for the week:

TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY: Propeller governor and HF radio installation


Dick Snook, President and CEO of Missionary Flights Int'l was a special guest at MMS today

THURSDAY: Ground checks

FRIDAY: Let's Go Flying!!! Local flights to make initial adjustments.

SATURDAY: Visit to York, PA

SUNDAY: Visit to State College, PA


Each morning at MMS begins with scripture reading and prayer

MONDAY: Fly back to MMS Aviation for follow up "tweaking" if necessary

TUESDAY: Fly to Indiana for my Aviation Medical with Dr. Scott M.


Here is our iCOM 706 HF Radio

WEDNESDAY: Fly to Kansas to drop off airplane at Weaver Aero where aircraft will be prepped for the ferry flight to Africa!

Fueling Progress Event- Greenwood, Indiana

2011-10-25T17:03:00.001+01:00

(note: additional photos will be posted soon)

Last Friday night, we had a wonderful turnout for our "Fueling Progress" fund raising event in Greenwood, Indiana. The local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association hosted us at the main terminal hangar at the Greenwood municipal airport and about 50 were in attendance!

We had a great time, thanks to the efforts of so many! Here are my remarks, from that night, regarding all that were so kind to make the event a great success:

" Good evening, my name is Steve Straw, and it is my great privilege to be here to represent an effort of God’s people to express His great love and compassion to a small corner of the world, in Gabon, using the tool of aviation.

Alace, my wife, and I would like to first express our deep gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to make this evening a reality. So, on behalf of Air Calvary, the Bongolo Hospital, the national Christian & Missionary Alliance churches of Gabon and the people that we serve, we would like to express our thanks to the following people:

1. Chapter 1354 Johnson County Aviators- Alan Gluff, Penny Ratliff, Kerry Geeseman, Ken Parmer, Bob Kessler, Roger Tomey, Rusty Nicholes, and Ivy Logsdon. Not only are you supporting local interest in aviation, but you have opened your hearts and hangar to host this event to spotlight international aviation efforts. Thank you so much.

2. Iozzo’s Garden of Italy Restaurant for providing a delicious meal at no cost. This is incredibly generous and I commend each of you who live locally to visit them often with all of your friends! To the whole team at Iozzo’s, we express our thanks.

3. Ralph Hill, the manager of Greenwood Airport and his staff. A pilot recently reported on an AOPA message board that Greenwood Airport has been revived of late with flight training and aircraft maintenance. He made a special note to one and all that coffee is now available in the terminal! Keep up the great work Ralph and company. Thank you for having us here.

4. A very sincere thank you to Erick & Nancy Miles, Dr. Scott & Cindy Miles, and Roger Tomey. Alace and I were only steps away from losing heart in aspects of this important work and were praying for a support. Our Heavenly Father answered our prayers as you stepped, put your arms around our shoulders, and injected fresh ideas and focus. We are more grateful than you know. Thank you for demonstrating to us lives that are sensitive to God’s leading."

WE now have over 20 barrels sponsored out of the 78 needed!

READ MORE ABOUT "FUELING PROGRESS" - Click Here

Video- Gabonese Pygmies

2011-10-25T11:35:00.000+01:00

Here is an interesting story highlighting the pygmy people in Gabon. Enjoy!

Governor Drama!

2011-10-20T16:09:00.000+01:00

In my home state of Pennsylvania, the state governor is taking control of the capital city's finances after the city council tried to apply for bankruptcy and the city's mayor was unable to control the situation.


View of engine looking upwards from the front of the aircraft.

Well, in our neck of the woods, at MMS Aviation, we've got "governor drama" on a whole other level! While adjusting our propeller governor, it became clear that the governor had served its' time and a new one should be ordered and installed. So, the part will be ordered today and we'll install it ASAP.


Today we had the pitot/static system done to verify precise operation of aircraft instrumentation.

Here is the hi-tech equipment set up to evaluate our aircraft.


Here is the technician, Mark, from ProAv Services of New Philadelphia, OH. I highly recommend their shop- some LeTourneau University alum run the shop!


The weather continues to be pretty lousy. Pray for blue skies please! Thanks!

The work may be taking a bit longer than we had slated, but there will be no wine until it is time! We're patiently progressing through the reassembly and return to service of the Cessna 207.

Week #2 at MMS Aviation

2011-10-17T16:39:00.001+01:00

Alace and I had a very nice weekend with family in State College, PA as we gathered for my father’s 80th birthday, which included attending a Penn State football game. (more pics here)

I was also able to do a brief update in both of the morning worship services at the State College Alliance Church. They will be sending a short term missions trip to Gabon next July, so it was really nice to make that connect.

Alace and I made it back to Ohio this week- she is again at her mother’s home while I am at MMS Aviation. There is still quite a list of items that need to be taken care of. They are weighing the aircraft today, and then launching into the annual inspection and a list of discrepancies.

We are due to have our pitot/static testing done at an airport not far from here on Thursday. We really need the weather to cooperate for things to come together on all of these things. We also need to avoid any surprises. We would like to do a bit of flying to visit some supporters with the aircraft prior to flying to Kansas for the ferry flight preparations.

Thanks for your prayers.

Aircraft Engine Run up

2011-10-17T16:20:00.000+01:00

Here's a video from last Friday. MMS Aviation is wrapping up their work and have run up our Continental IO-550F engine. Enjoy!

This Week's Med Evac

2011-10-08T23:51:00.001+01:00


After the passenger briefing and prayer, we loaded up in our rented Cessna 206, bound to Bongolo Hospital. The gentleman in the middle of this picture has cancer. He was turned away from a well-known hospital in the capital city of Libreville. He is too weak for travel by road. Without our aviation program and Bongolo accepting to see him, he would have no other options.

The two gentlemen are friends of the patient. They stayed with us as we loaded up and departed.


On the very same flight, were two new team members at Bongolo- Jen and Zack O. They are both general surgeons that have come under the Samaritan's Purse program.

Coming Together

2011-10-07T08:02:00.002+01:00

Here in Gabon, everyone is getting quite excited about the return of our aircraft. In fact, some are very fanatical!

Okay... okay... it's a helicopter- but, you get the idea!

Airplane Repairs Complete!?!

2011-09-28T15:06:00.001+01:00

Hold onto your seats, people... here's the latest from Dale, the lead mechanic on our aircraft at MMS Aviation in Coshocton, Ohio:

Hi Steve

We are moving ahead, and the wings are going on today. The horizontal and vertical with the rudder are on. The panel and all the electrical tests are completed. The interior is going in and when we get the wings on, we can finish that up.

I am planing on signing off the work on Friday. After that it is all Annual (inspection) work. Install seats and floor covering rigging checks, making sure all the lights , stall warning, heaters, beacon etc work. I would like to sign the Annual off on the 10th, or when you are here.

It will be great to see you when you come to MMS. There should be plenty to do when you come here. I want to go through all the paper work and repairs with you.

I will send you a picture on Friday of the plane, hopefully in its completed state.

Blessings,

Dale

Bongolo Hospital Visitors in the News!

2011-09-24T08:22:00.000+01:00

This article originally appeared on the "Strongsville Patch" website.

Strongsville Doctor, Family, Make a Difference in Africa


Dr. John, Linda and Ryan Chae in Gabon.

The Chae family traveled to Gabon to heal bodies -- and spirits By Gina Ragon

Bongolo Hospital — located in the hot plains of West Africa — is rustic by U.S. standards, but to the poor seeking medical treatment in the country of Gabon, it is a beacon of hope.

To the Chae family of Strongsville, it is a life-affirming place of both medicine and faith.
“Really, the conviction is to service both physical and spiritual,” said Dr. John Chae, a rehabilitative medicine specialist at MetroHealth Medical Center. “Faith in Jesus Christ is what is most important to us.”

The Chae family has long been a part of the hospital’s success. Through Grace Church in Middleburg Heights, the Chaes have helped to support Bongolo for many years.

Two years ago, John and his wife, Linda, spent a week there so Dr. Chae could teach medical residents.

This summer, they returned with their younger son, Ryan, 17, an aspiring physician, to introduce the idea of rehabilitation to a culture that prides itself on stoicism.


Dr. Chae assesses an injured young patient at Bongolo Hospital.

“In Gabon, they understand surgery and medicine, but the idea of rehab isn’t something they see as treatment,” Chae said.

Culture Shock
Patients at Bongolo Hospital travel up to two days to be seen by American doctors, arriving with conditions including AIDS, clubbed feet, trauma, malaria, tuberculosis, infected wounds, strokes and chronic pain.

A Christian hospital, Bongolo is staffed entirely by U.S. physicians looking to make a professional and spiritual difference in Africa, like Dr. Keir Thelander, who trains African surgical residents there.
While Thelander's surgical results have been encouraging, Chae said rehabilitative treatment could help patients recover more completely.

“We were able to take patients, including one with a spinal cord injury and one with a pelvic fracture, who had been in bed for months and get them walking again, which was very gratifying," Chae said.
But while the team, including physical and occupational therapists, arrived ready to help, they weren't prepared for the cultural obstacles to rehabilitation.

In the Gabonese culture, it is taboo to draw attention to oneself, so patients rarely speak of their injuries or ailments.

Ryan and Dr. John Chae with a surgical resident and his young son from the Republic of Congo.

“It is not acceptable to say I am in pain, focus on me,” Chae said.

What’s more, because young people are taught to serve infirm family members, it is hard for patients to follow doctors’ orders to improve their mobility and strength.

“In the U.S., if someone had a stroke, we’d say, let’s train them to do things by themselves. In Gabonese culture, they want to help, but that gets in they way,” Chae said.

A Mission of Hope

With the help of MetroHealth, Chae hopes to have rehabilitation services established permanently at the hospital within the next three years.

As for the Chaes, they intend to go back to Gabon every two years, bringing different specialists to provide training in various areas of healthcare.

But the medicine is just part of the mission.

With MetroHealth physical therapist Theresa Fitzgerald, Dr. Chae develops a rehab plan for a Gabonese patient.

“Spiritually, this work helps me expand my view of what God is doing in the world and reminds me that God is just as interested in every person on this planet as He is in us," said Linda Chae, who coordinates the regular shipment of supplies to Bongolo.

Ryan, a senior at Strongsville High School, said the trip solidified his interest in pursuing a medical career.

“Watching what went on the hospital, I thought, this is something I want to do,” he said.

On a more personal level, Ryan was also inspired by the faith of the Gabonese people. “Even in their poverty, seeing how they relied on God, and had so much hope in that, it’s something you don’t see in America, even with all of our prosperity.”

VIDEOS- Our City Under Construction!

2011-09-20T10:18:00.001+01:00

Here is a video with some sights and sounds of all the construction around our city, Libreville, in preparation for one of the continents biggest sporting events- the Cup of African Nations (CAN). It starts in January, so the workers are trying to finish things up quickly. We would like this... maybe Then, traffic can go from a stand still to the next level of "inching along"! Enjoy the video!

Here's another video from a location just outside of the city. It's about 1 mile from the large complex that the national church has purchased to develop a social works campus... airstrip included!

Mitzic Airport tour- YouTube

2011-09-13T01:53:00.003+01:00

Sorry for the bugs on the window!

N'Djole Airport Tour- YouTube

2011-09-13T01:02:00.000+01:00

A Different Kind of Caravan

2011-09-12T16:37:00.006+01:00

(All you aviation nuts out there know about a great aircraft called the Cessna CARAVAN- it's in use all around the world as one of the best utility aircraft providing service in and out of some of the world's hardest to reach locations. Below is a bit of an update on our family and a story of a different sort of Caravan... the Mobile Medical Clinic Caravan. Enjoy!)

Hello All:

We’re doing very well. Just spent Thursday through Saturday in the interior of the country. We took a team with our two vehicles to set up a “mobile medical clinic” at an Alliance church in the village of “Mitzic”. There, while the medical clinic was happening, I went with the pastor of the church to visit with the Mayor or the town to talk about giving the local community counsel in how to properly take care of the airport and get it reopened. He was very happy to greet me and will support our work as long as it gets approval of the country’s civil aviation authority.

On the way to Mitzic, we stopped by another town, “N’djole” where we did our initial consult with the local Alliance church regarding the same thing- taking care of and reopening their local airport. About 15 people from the church came to the meeting to hear about the idea and ask questions. They were also very supportive and would like to continue with this program- “Operation Runway Rehab”. Please pray for the effort to open runways around Gabon and that local communities understand this work to be an expression of God’s great love for them.

The medical clinic, itself, was a great success. I believe that medical consultations were given to over 300 people and medications were given. There were many that came to seek help with vision problems, malaria, high blood pressure, diabetes, and joint pain. Alace was primarily assisting in the counting of pills and other medications into small plastic sacks with the instructions on when to take them. The first day of the clinic, I was mainly in meetings, but the second day, I helped weigh people in and take blood pressure with a simple cordless machine. This required having people really hike up their sleeves and get the cuff on their upper arm. So, I was constantly using the waterless hand sanitizer to clean up.

One younger woman, Adele, saw the result of her blood pressure test and exclaimed, “OH! That is too high! I’m going to die! I’m going to be working in my garden and fall down dead!” She started to gather her things to leave in despair, but I calmed her down and said, while it is true that her blood pressure is elevated, we have come to help. With the right medication, a change in diet, and prayer, her blood pressure can be managed better. She did calm down and, I’m happy to say, stayed around for her consult and received her medicine. Please pray that she, and the others that we saw during the clinic, will put their full faith in the Great Physician!

We did all of this work along side of a health program called “OSPAC”- a work of the national Alliance church. You probably remember that this is the team that has a base at the large city Alliance church in Libreville where Alace volunteers. They had a team of 6 that came to run the clinic. We merely pitched in to help where we could. They do their job with such joy and care. It’s impossible for the people of Mitzic to not understand that this is the love of God expressed to them in a practical way!

Each clinic is started off with a time of education where all of those registered sit down in the church pews and the OSPAC team talks to them about how to take care of themselves and the ones they love. There is also a time for a testimony and prayer. Stations are set up around the church for vision, weight & blood pressure, eye exams, pharmacy, consultations, and spiritual counseling.

The first night we were there, we projected the Jesus film onto the front side of the church with all the church pews out front for people to sit. It actually got a bit chilly! We had the version of the film in the local tribal language- people were quite surprised to see Jesus and hear him talking in their language! One family came to know the Lord. It was a privilege to be there and pray with them. Others came to accept Christ as Savior while the clinic was underway.

Please pray for the fruit of the seeds that were planted through the clinic and the local church pastor, Emory and his wife, Natasha, will lead their church in meaningful and effective follow-up. Many West-African, Muslim businessmen came and took away literature along with their medication! Muslim’s are often much more receptive to the gospel outside of their home country and, those that receive Christ become great missionaries when they go back for visits! Please pray for this reality in these cases.

So, it was a great time. Very tiring and sometimes frustrating when viewed through Western eyes about what “should” be happening, but everything worked out and the people of Mitzic can’t wait until we come back. In fact, as we were packing up, people were still showing up in taxis and by foot saying that they had traveled from other smaller villages in the region after they found out about the clinic by word of mouth the day before. So, we couldn’t help but linger just a bit more to try and care for everyone. Our departure was much later than we wanted, but it was worth it. God is good and took care of us as we ended our voyage back to Libreville in the dark of night.

The rainy season is starting now, so the temperatures will start going up and the steam will return to Gabon! I’m not so excited about that.

Please pray as the kid’s fall break dates have had to change. There will be a Presidential election during the weekend of their break and they anticipate demonstrations throughout the country. So, the date change is in everyone’s best interests, however it is going to cause us a major disruption in plans (we have already purchased airfare to the states from Cameroon!). We need wisdom in how to put together the new schedule. It will mean changing our airline tickets to a Libreville departure/return ($$$) and most likely having the kids come to Libreville by airline ($$$). So, we need your prayers to seek the best way to resolve this.

Please pray for our (Alace and I) upcoming trip to the US (Oct. 09-27). There are three main reasons that we will make this trip. First, is that our airplane’s repairs are coming to a finale’ and I would like to be there to assist in any way possible as well as the first flights to make the final tweaks. Secondly, the timing works out great to join the rest of my family in celebrating my father’s 80th birthday! We miss so many celebrations with family, it will be a great treasure to join in this occasion. Thirdly, there is growing interest for our work in Gabon in the Indianapolis area. We will have a fund raising dinner in an aircraft hangar, most likely at the Greenwood airport in the area (I’ll keep you posted). In the short three weeks that we are home, there will not be time to meet with all those that we would like, but we are praying for fruitful connections with those that we can and that the name of the Lord is glorified as a result of it all. Please pray with us that this is so. We also covet your prayers for all the logistics that need to be worked out, especially a vehicle to use.

Praise the Lord that our rental aircraft continues to keep our program moving along. Even though the expense is high, keeping our flights much fewer than desired, we still do get an occasional flight. If you’d like to see some pictures from the flights and hear about the work that is being accomplished on those flights, please follow my online journal at www.gabonpilot.blogspot.com.

The kids are doing pretty well at school. Joe has been voted as his class rep to the student counsel! Megan is doing great on the social front- never a problem there. On the academic side, she continues to be challenged, especially in the test-taking area. Sam is still “finding his groove” in the switch from the homeschooling environment to classroom. Again, he is excelling in social aspects, as we knew he would! We are so blessed to have a great school, like the Rain Forest International School, just one country “up the road” from us. Please pray for the kids in their studies and RFIS as they constantly battle the need for additional faculty. We also would ask you to pray for Scott and Lee Pyles, who are the “parents” of the home where they are living with 4 other RFIS students.

Again, as we say every time, we are so blessed to have an army of people who love us and pray for us. Thank you for interceding on our behalf!

Love,

Steve and Alace

N207FD Gets Paint!

2011-09-12T15:42:00.001+01:00

Here's an update from the team at MMS Aviation regarding the new paint job for our aircraft!

Hi Steve, today we rolled 207FD out of the paint booth and moved it to the main hangar for the assembly process.


Josh sprayin' away.


In the booth. Notice the old skins on the ground.


Out of the booth! Here is Dale tugging N207FD to the next phase.

Today, we pulled the aircraft out of the paint booth. There is more painting that needs to happen to the horizontal, right aileron, left flap and other smaller parts. We hang the wings tomorrow, and start rigging those this week. 19-23 Sept we will install interior and finish up on the panel work. 26-30 Sept, I hope to install the horizontal and elevators vertical and rudder, and get those rigged. install the prop, fill up with fuel and do the engine runs. 3-7 Oct Annual inspection. Hopefully I will have it up and running for you when you arrive on the 11th. I would like to get in between 5 -10 hours of RTS (Return To Service flight time) so that we can work out all the rigging details and any other bugs that we find. Blessings, Dale

Davy's Story (Guest Blog)

2011-09-01T16:27:00.001+01:00

Lisa Nicky is our good friend who recently went on the "Traveling Chuck's" adventure with Alace (read about it: CLICK HERE). She is also our teammate, serving as an RN at Bongolo Hospital. Here's her story about a recent patient of hers:

I could hardly believe it when I heard that a short-term summer team comprised of rehabilitation specialists, including a physical and occupational therapist, was coming to Bongolo! Since their arrival, I’ve been translating for the team (and learning from them!) as they’ve worked to improve the quality of life for our patients who are weakened by disease and trauma.

Davy, who is in his early 20s, suffers from hemophilia (a bleeding disorder in which it takes a long time for the blood to clot). Recently, he came to us completely paralyzed after a fall that caused bleeding to his cervical spine. I remember praying with him and his family often that first week and asking him a question that I typically ask my patients, “Do you believe God can help you recover from this?”

His answer was a determined and heartfelt, “Yes!”

Timing is Everything!

Little by little, Davy regained the use of his arms and his legs. (You can continue to pray for him, as he is still quite weak.) Once again I see God’s perfect timing in that we have rehabilitation specialists to work with him daily during the period in which he is most in need of their expertise.

It was a great joy recently when Davy said, “Madame Lisa, I plan to be a part of the next class of nurses at Bongolo Hospital!” Isn’t it just like God to use a difficult disease and accident to inspire a young man to serve as a nurse for His Kingdom?

"Epic Flight" (Guest Blog)

2011-09-01T02:11:00.001+01:00


Dr. David Thompson, left, with Alace and Steve Straw (pilot).

Twenty years ago I dreamed of flying in an ultralight to Libreville from our remote hospital, leaving far below the dust, the ruts, and 8 to 10 hours of stressful driving. In 2007 I even went through flight school and earned a pilot's license. The dream died in 2008 with the crash of a donated ultralight that I never got to fly. In 2009, pilot Steve Straw began flying a Cessna 207 between Libreville and Bongolo, while Becki and I were home on furlough. Before we returned to the field, the plane was damaged and had to be shipped back to the U.S. for extensive repairs (they should be completed in early October). In the meantime, Steve has been able to lease a Cessna 206 from a local businessman to provide occasional flights.

Dave, moments prior to liftoff at the Bongolo Hospital's runway.

On Monday, August 29, 2011, I climbed into the copilot's seat next to Steve and lifted off from our dirt airstrip in Lebamba. As we left the ground I felt my spirit soar in worship and praise to our great Father! The ground dropped away below us, and as we circled the hospital I took more than 20 pictures. One hour and 45 minutes later we landed in Libreville--still fresh and praising God!

Dave Thompson

Today's Aircraft Repair Update from MMS Aviation

2011-08-31T13:58:00.000+01:00

Hi Steve,

We did start installing the interior yesterday, and after taking a close look at it again, the velcro is stitched onto the plastic floor covering sections. The loose velcro that I was seeing on the plastic was the velcro that had pulled up from the floor.

We fabricated a new stainless door sill cover for the cargo door and installed that yesterday.

When we were repairing the left flap yesterday, we found additional cracking on the lower skin that someone had stop drilled and filled the hole with body filler and then painted. I am not able to put that skin back on so we have a new skin on its way and will get that installed soon. The top skin has the same thing but we are able to do a repair.

The instrument lighting was wired incorrectly and not working as it should. One transistor was missing and the dimmers were bad. I have a new dimmer here and we are in the process of rectifying that.

Dale

Video- The Story of God in Gabon

2011-08-29T22:55:00.003+01:00

Video- Aircraft ready for paint

2011-08-29T22:23:00.000+01:00

Here's another video that the MMS Aviation crew added just today!

Video- Aircraft Tailcone removal

2011-08-29T22:17:00.000+01:00

This was recorded by the crew at MMS Aviation on 12 August. Enjoy!

Aircraft Ready for Painting!

2011-08-28T09:07:00.001+01:00

The progress continues with N207FD. Here is the latest from our project director, Dale, at MMS Aviation, as the aircraft gets ready for paint:

Just a quick update. All the structural repairs are complete and we are doing the last few things before 207FD goes into the paint booth. I have included a picture.

We did however just find some extreme wear on the left flap. one of the flap roller arms has a groove worn in it more than half way through, and will need to be replaced. Unfortunately, the flap will have to come apart for us to do that, because the rib that it is attached to is riveted to the spar, and we cannot get to the rivets any other way. We will start work on that next week.

Full Circle!

2011-08-25T23:13:00.000+01:00

Recently, a former family that was part of the team at the Bongolo Hospital, made the decision to launch across the border to the Republic of Congo, also called "Congo-Brazzaville". They have been featured in a newspaper in the UK. I'm posting it here for your reading pleasure:

Couple looking to provide new sight

Specialist looking to address desperate need for eye surgery in Congo

20/08/2011 08:40 AM

After working with a charitable eye project in Gabon, West Africa, Henri Samoutou a senior ophthalmic technician with surgical skills who was born there, recognised the desperate need for eye surgery particularly in the poverty stricken Republic of Congo.
He found a considerable number of people becoming blind because of a lack of resources to correct treatable eye conditions such as cataracts.
Samoutou along with his Hong Kong-born wife, Joyce who is a GP, will take their medical expertise to Congo along with their three young children to live and work on their New Sight centre.
“When Henri spent four days there in April 2010, he was completely overwhelmed by desperate patients, many of whom waited for months, even years, and travelled for days to see him,” said Joyce.
Joyce who is also very passionate about the life-changing surgery that she and her husband will bring to the Congo, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Four out of five people who are blind don’t need to be. Out of those four, for more than 80 percent of them we would be able to sort something out with a simple cataract operation.”
The couple who are planning to make the move to Congo next year have so far raised £35,000 of their £100,000 target to fund the move.
Joyce is planning to handle the centre’s administrative duties and home school the children whilst Henri carries out the medical procedures at the centre.
The move to Congo will mean a drastic change in living conditions compared with those in West Yorkshire.
The family will go from having a continuous electricity supply to surviving on electricity only twice a week. They will also have to live on water coming from rain collection tanks.
However the pair are driven by their desire to transform lives.
“We feel very passionate about it,” Joyce said.

Posted on: 20/08/2011 08:40 AM

Back to School... Already!

2011-08-16T00:35:00.000+01:00

This summer was one of our family's favorites by far! The places we traveled, the people we met there, getting back to Gabon, the people who visited, the gathering with our Gabonese friends and more- an excellent summer break. But, alas, it has come to an end.

After a 14 hour drive to Yaounde from Libreville, it didn't take long before the kids were moved in to their new home and making new friends.

See all the photos from the trip: CLICK HERE

Recent Flights

2011-08-15T23:43:00.000+01:00

Recent Flights

I am pleased to report that we have seen an increase of flights using a rental Cessna 206 for the support of the Bongolo Hospital, here in Gabon.

> 24 June: Flight 1124a moved 2 large pieces of very fragile eye clinic machines from Libreville to Bongolo, avoiding the harsh roads below that would have surely left them inoperable. These machines will now be used to make low-cost, near and far sighted eye glasses for those living in rural, hard to reach places.

> 24 June: Flight 1124b assisted in transporting Bongolo Hospital staffers from Bongolo to Libreville so that they could arrive in time for important appointments at the immigration offices the next morning.

> 16 July: Flight 1128a transported needed medical air mattress to Bongolo.

> 16 July: Flight 1128b assisted in transporting the Air Calvary visiting team (Ralph A., Steve H., and Sarah) from Bongolo to Libreville where they could rejoin their church’s short term mission team.

>02 August: Flight 1131a transported a wheelchair to a woman in need in the jungles near Bongolo.

> 02 August: Flight 1131b assisted visitors from Pittsburgh, PA to return from Bongolo to Libreville in time for their international flight the next day.

Without these flights, most would have to endure a bone-jarring 10 to 12 hour road journey. Instead, they were treated to a bird’s eye view of the beautiful country of Gabon- flying past mountains, waterfalls, rivers, grasslands and more. They were blessed to have their time at Bongolo expanded and the services of compassion they bring expedited. God is at work with Air Calvary in Gabon and it is humbling to be involved.

The Latest on Aircraft Repairs

2011-08-15T23:14:00.000+01:00

Here are a series of recent updates regarding the aircraft. All notes are from Dale, lead mechanic at MMS Aviation. (SEE the 28 July update to read about the new timeline for the completion of repairs!)

15 August:

Related to the HF radio installation. The FAA came back to us and said that it was a no go, based on the fact that your aircraft is FAR Part 23 certified, and not CAR 3. There have 2 issues: first is that it is not flame resistant, and the second is that the wires are not self extinguishing. We have submitted for another field approval today, and we will see what happens.

15 August:

We put the wings on so that we could do a symmetry check on the tail, which ended up being quite good. Today I needed to lift the main off the ground for a short time, so I picked it up by lifting on the outboard portion of the wing. When I did, I heard a "clunk" so I let it down, and I did it several more times to see where the noise was coming from. I discovered that it was the lower strut attach fitting that has some damage(wear) in it. When we move the wing we can feel movement there, and even see it if you look closely. So, today I ordered a new fitting and will start the process of changing that out. Of course, that is going to add an extra week or so.

28 July:

We are waiting on some parts at the moment, as I found more wrong with the tailcone than I could see. We have disassembled the tailcone and are starting on that while I wait for a rear carry through spar (again) we found that the one that we had was made incorrectly be Cessna. News on the HF radio is that we should get the approval in a week or so. That means that I will have to stat buying some parts. The power supply that is with the HF is not the correct one for our installation. Also circuit breakers,. mounts antenna parts and a whole bunch of other things. At this point in time, I plan to have 207FD completed at the end of September.

01 August:

I was inspecting under the panel and in the circuit breaker panel, and found some wiring upgrades needed. I also found some circuit breakers missing their amp rating on the face of the breaker. I have taken care of a lot of the wiring, and a few more things should work now (fan, standby vacuum, taxi light to mention a few). I wanted to know if I could clean up the breaker panel and install a few new circuit breakers (the pull type). Also group things a little better than they are now. The avionics bus is split into about 4 separate buses. things are also not really labeled as they really are, so I would like to adjust the placards to reflect what the circuit breaker is really connected to.

03 August:

The ELT is not registered to your aircraft and will need to be sent away for reprogramming and registration will have to be done after that., reprogramming can only be done by the manufacturer. cost of $450. Do I have your permission to do this. It was still registered to N9950M.

04 August:

Hi Steve. Today, I powered up the engine analizer and downloaded the data from your last 18 flights in Febuary and March of 2010, and the 2 times after that that you ran the engine on august 17th for the engine preservation. Very good data, but unfurtunatly there is no fuel flow data, onlt CHT's and EGT's, battery voltage and oil temps. The tailcone is almost all put together with clecos. We are repairing the section of the tailcone where the tie down bolt was, as there was previous damage, maybe some from your accident too. So a new skin is going on there, a bulkhead repair and the new tiedown from MAF. Work continues. Dale

05 August:

My team is hard at work. Josh is doing some final painting of the tail cone pieces, and getting the fuselage ready for painting. Chuck is installing the spar carry through along with Phil. Once that is in they will rivet the roof skins back on. Andy is finishing up on the tail skid installation and getting the rear bulkheads ready for painting. As next week rolls around, I plan to hang the wings on Wednesday, so that we can do some symmetry checks on the tail cone before we start riveting.

Refreshment

2011-08-06T10:51:00.000+01:00

At the end of July, we took a week off of the normal schedule to attend an annual event called "Field Forum". The forum is a five day gathering of the US missionary team that serves in Gabon. The purpose is for team building and vision casting... and fun! A team from Allegheny Community Alliance Church (Pittsburgh) came to serve us through challenging messages, some excellent music to focus our worship of Jesus, direct activities for our children, and to simply encourage and hang out with us.


Here's the crew!


We're a crazy crew... living on the equator has taken it's toll.

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS: CLICK HERE

Aircraft Update... GREAT NEWS!!!

2011-08-06T10:05:00.002+01:00

Here are a series of recent updates regarding the aircraft (sorry, no pictures this time!). I'll start with some great news regarding the completion date of repairs! (all notes are from Dale, lead mechanic at MMS Aviation)

28 July:

01 August:

03 August:

05 August:

Satisfied Passenger! (Guest Blog)

2011-08-06T07:58:00.000+01:00

Recently, I had the privilege of a visit from some Air Calvary supporters. Steve H. (Bedford Community Church attender- NY) and Ralph A. (AC board member). I was happy to have access to a back up aircraft to show them them the impact that the aviation program was having here in Gabon. They were able to get a first hand experience both the 9 hour drive to Bongolo and then, for their return to the city of Libreville, the hour and forty-five minute flight using our aviation service. Here are Steve's thoughts of his trip (Steve is pictured here, on the right):

One of the main reasons I personally went to Gabon was to meet the pilot for Air Calvary there and his family and see what support we could provide to them in the future. What a truly humbling experience it was to spend time with these extraordinary people who have moved from a very comfortable life in the USA to serve the people of Gabon and further the missionary work of Bongolo hospital. While they certainly enjoy many enriching experiences and relationships make no mistake there are significant sacrifices that they have made to get this mission (if you will excuse my pun) ‘off the ground’. I thank Steve, Alace, Joe, Megan and Sam for their warm hospitality and amazing christian spirit.

The Air Calvary service flies people from Libreville to an airstrip near the Bongolo hospital, a distance of some 300 plus miles. In Gabon this journey in a car or truck can take up to 10 hours depending on road conditions and the always interesting Police checkpoints. The road varies from quite good in sections to absolutely appalling in others, pot holes that look like they could double as swimming holes in the rainy season, choking dust that somehow manages to find it’s way into almost any car. Now imagine you’re in serious pain, have very limited time, need to transport sensitive medical equipment or any other of probably numerous other needs, the aircraft becomes an extremely valuable tool.

In stark contrast the flight takes 1 hour and 45 minutes over spectacular forests and rivers. During our stay in Gabon we were able to experience both; I recommend the plane.

Air Calvary has a couple of specific projects that they need help with which I will be speaking to BCC about when we return. In addition prayer and financial support will always be needed.

I found my time with them to be inspiring, thanks to Brock for his vision and assistance.

-Steve Hughes

Aircraft Repair VIDEO!

2011-08-01T19:20:00.000+01:00

N207FD Repair Update

2011-07-22T22:01:00.000+01:00

Here's the latest from Dale at MMS Aviation where they are restoring our aircraft for service:

Today, we started putting in the rear spar carry through. On further inspection, the one crack that we were able to see from the accident, was not the only crack in the piece. Actually, there were 3 other cracks in the other 3 corners. So, it is a good thing that we are changing it.

The Horizontal is finished, and only needs to be painted. The right wing is sitting next to the aircraft and is all newly painted and awaiting installation.

I did a test of the pitot static system this week and found that the encoder was leaking. It is unrepairable, so I took the liberty to order a new ACK-A30 encoder.

The avionics cooling fan came in yesterday, so we will start work on that next week along with the encoder. I discovered a few cracks in the cabin fuselage formers down the left side, so we are repairing those.

The floor is 99% down, and we have 10 screws to install when we take the gear out one more time.

The right brake master cylinder attach has significant wear on it and I am changing it. Not a very easy job, but the part was cheap enough....$70 or so. The Tailcone will start to come off next week, and then while that is being repaired, we will start closing up the cabin, and instrument panel. I am still waiting on the HF field approval.

June 24th Flight Pics

2011-07-05T18:53:00.000+01:00


Preflight of the Cessna 206.


There goes our friend Wendy in a flight piloted by our friend Egmont. He's flying a really nice turboprop aircraft- a Piper Cheyenne.


Departure off of runway 16 at Libreville International.


A hazy day... the Bongolo Hospital is out there somewhere.


The happy pilot delivering sensitive eye equipment to the Bongolo Hospital on this flight.


Voila! A break in the clouds and the hospital appears! This is a view of the hospital looking from the south.


A closer view of Bongolo Hospital viewed from the southwest.


Lining up for runway 09 at Lebamba/Bongolo aerodrome (aka. Thompson Memorial Airport!)


Our welcoming committee! Do I see hand clapping!?! It must have been a nice landing.

Photos courtesy of my excellent passenger, GRAM!

July 4th Festivities!

2011-07-04T22:26:00.001+01:00

For the Fourth, we decided that a road trip was in order. So, it was off to the Bongolo Hospital with the fam and our 4 visitors- Alace's mom, Barbara, and our good friends Wendy and Nina with our newest good friend (and Nina's cousin), Sally. We arrived on Sunday and will stay until Wednesday morning.

Here are some photos from today's fun:


Barbara, Alace, and Wendy at the rapids near the Bongolo Hospital.


Luke and Sam help each other get in position to ride the rapids.


Nina and Sally.


The whole gang! Joanna (Luke and Sarah's mom) shot the photo.


Prior to heading to the rapids, I started troubleshooting our airports transport ATV that doesn't seem to wanna start lately.


Rachael T. added her special flare to the event by serving some delicious tea on the riverside!


Megan and Wendy "chillin'" ...literally!


Like a scene out of a movie! These rapids are only like this in the dry season (June-August). After that, the river runs much higher and the "water park" is closed until the next dry season.

Megan, Sam, and I. We were enjoying our very own natural jacuzzi!


Megan and I were striking a pose for the JC Penny swimsuit catalog- jungle edition!


In the morning, prior to the water park, the ladies hit the Lebamba market. It's not very big, but you'll notice some patriotic themes in this shop... reds, whites, blues.... and President Obama!


The Lebamba shopkeepers were very happy to have some customers, as you can see. All prices are negotiable.


Gram was making friends everywhere she went.


They fit right in, oui?


Wendy got a lesson on how to properly wrap her head. This is a fashion statement as well as a medical application... who knew!

Happy Fourth, everyone! We are thankful to be US citizens for a while... but especially blessed to be able to be from a country where we can freely proclaim our ultimate citizenship in Heaven, joining the multitudes from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation around the throne in what will be the biggest worship event ever, for eternity!

ps. For all the photos, CLICK HERE

pps. The day before departing to Bongolo, the ladies participated in "Operation Guest House Beautification"! Here's a link to those photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/Gabon.Pilot/OperationGuestHouseBeautification#

Why We Do This

2011-07-04T18:41:00.002+01:00

The tool of aviation is a "game-changer". What's a "game-changer"? I'll put it to you like this...

On our drive down to the Bongolo Hospital yesterday, we noticed many people and children in each village we passed were carrying water. The fact is that, in many places around the world, people do not have the convenience of a water tap in their home. You and I, however, can walk into multiple rooms of our house and manipulate a lever or knob and, voila, out comes water- hot, cold, or somewhere in between.

I mentioned to a friend in the car how much of a "game-changer" having water in your home is. (One of our friends, here in Gabon, just got running water in their home). So, I was asked what I meant by this. I replied that when you don't have to wake up early, walk far, carry a heavy container of water to your home one or more times... when you don't have to do that and, instead, can have water service in your home, it makes a huge difference. Think of the time saved. Think of the energy saved. Think about how much more alert and ready someone is when they have other things that they can focus their energy on? More time for education. More time for caring for others. More time for gathering food. More time to consider a new step in life. ...and energy to do it all.

Aviation is the same way. Speaking of yesterday, in the time that I drove from Libreville to Bongolo, I could have done that same trip about 5 times or more in the Aviation Medicale de Bongolo aircraft! What can be done in that time? How much energy could be saved? How many more lives can be touched and effected?

Ok- devil's advocate time... You say, "wait a minute, Steve. What about the lives you could touch as you drive in the car? The police? The sandwich lady in Lamberene that we love? The gas station attendant in Bifoun? The people in the car?" etc. Ok- you got me. Those are valid points. However, as God works in peoples' hearts and gives them a white-hot passion for a thing, they can often become discouraged by the things that happen around them, often including logistical things- mainly travel. Here's a great example from a friend who is training local believers in linguistics in the east of Gabon- a place that, as you will read, is very difficult to reach...

"A message to let you know I am now safely in Libreville, having arrived earlier this morning around 1.30 AM very dirty and rather frayed at the edges after two very long and trying days on the road (33 hours in total) .

To try to put things in as small a nutshell as possible here's a short version of what happened those two days: We left Franceville around 6.15 am Sat. Almost 2 hours/170km into the journey suddenly the rear wheel on the driver's side of the truck came spinning off. How five wheels nuts can all give way in the space of five yards is a mystery to me, but that's what happened. To cut a very long story very short, it then took 9 1/2 hours to get the truck back into a reasonably safe condition to drive again. In the meantime someone had driven off with my car papers and being paper-less in Gabon is a far bigger problem than most of you can imagine.

So we were very relieved when by 7 pm we were sitting safely in the house of the pastor in Lastoursville (the nearest town to the incident) having also recovered my papers (thanks to the kind intervention of a local deputé (government official)). Mind you, I still had to go out and find a mechanic to get the truck back into a fully fit condition, so it wasn't till 9pm that we could really sit back. The pastor kindly put us up for the night at some inconvenience to himself and his family but unfortunately there was no mosquito net and plenty of mosquitoes so I didn't get much sleep. Since we had intended sleeping at Lopé (200km/4 hours further on than Lastoursville) we set off Sunday morning around 5.45 am knowing we had a long, hard day ahead but we had not imagined half of what it might entail. This included three flat tyres, including the third which happened before we been able to repair the second so had no serviceable spare wheel, having to replace three more wheel bolts (having replaced 11 the previous day, and two of the ones that became threaded on Sun. being ones that had only been put on on Sat!) and a broken battery to earth wire which meant all the electrics failed. I finally reached the mission guesthouse in Libreville around 1.30am this morning (Mon.), almost 20 hours after setting out.

Despite all the problems and challenges we are very grateful to God for many things, foremost among them that when the wheel came off no-one either in the truck or by the roadside (we were passing through a village at the time) was hurt in any way. It could have been a good deal worse. Secondly, for the kind intervention of the deputé to recover my papers when he was under no obligation to get involved. Thirdly, that I had people traveling with me this time to share the stresses and tensions - and to help change all those wheels! Fourthly, that I was able (with the help of a church member in Lastoursville) find a competent mechanic even though it was after dark on a Sat. night. Fifthly, that though it felt like we had to fight for almost every turn of the wheel to get here and the truck has suffered some damage and been expensive (thank the Lord I had just enough money to cover everything needed) we ourselves suffered nothing worse than being extremely dusty (it's the dry season) and rather frazzled."

There is a small airstrip in the village where our friend lives and a bigger airstrip near the first large town where she drove past. From there to Libreville is a 2.4 hour flight to Libreville in the AMB aircraft. Do you think swapping a harrowing 33 hour car drive for a 2.4 hour flight would impact our friends' work to equip local believers in linguistics? Would aviation be a game changer for our friend? There's no argument. Yes. Simply, "yes". This is why we do this. To come along the side of those that seek to be a blessing to others and conspire with them to express God's love. To fan the flames of the passion God has burning in their heart to touch the world. Game-changing flights that remove barriers so that these expressions can happen. That's one reason why we do this.

Keep praying with us for the quick return of our aircraft from repairs in the US. It's still looking like November for wrapping things up there, but... with prayer, we may see things move even quicker!

Friends Visit Airplane Repair

2011-07-01T14:02:00.000+01:00

Here are more details and photos from the Bedford Community Church (Temperance, MI) that trekked to the MMS Aviation facility in Coshocton, OH to see how the repairs to N207FD were going. I'll let Eunice, the group leader, share her thoughts here:

"Dwight Jarboe (MMS Aviation President) invested 2-1/2 hours showing us planes and explaining their ministry. We were most impressed. Keith Dodson helped us set things up and gave us a neat DVD with segments on your plane that were most interesting.

On your plane they explained they are rebuilding it from the front back. It was great to know the engine and prop were not damaged.

The couple with us are Bill and Cheri. He has been strongly burdened by the LORD to pray for your plane before you ever had it to use in Africa. He was thrilled to pray in the circle photo with Dale. He also prayed for Dale's health and family and for the future the LORD has planned for this plane to impact many lives for eternity. Eunice"

We are so blessed to have supporters like Eunice, Bob, Bill, Cheri, and so many more of you that are joining us for the twists and turns of this exciting journey! Thank you for your prayers as we trek on. Blessings, Steve and Alace

Today's Airplane Repair Update

2011-07-01T13:03:00.000+01:00

From Dale, our project leader at MMS Aviation:

"The front floor is in and the rear is going in. The horizontal is about half way through the repair. The paint has arrived and that means that as soon as we finish the Horizontal stab, we can get the wing, strut, door, gear fairings, flap, aileron and horizontal stab painted."

Landing Gear Video

2011-06-27T15:23:00.000+01:00

Here's some great video provided by our team at MMS Aviation:

Enjoy!!!