Monday, October 31, 2022

Never Have We Ever... Until Now!

 Aviations Operations Hitting New Highs!


NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE...

... done an Annual Maintenance Inspection in our Bongolo Hangar!

In May, thanks to our LeTourneau University intern, Chad, we pulled off our FIRST EVER annual aircraft inspection in the Bongolo hangar!  Typically, we fly the aircraft up to Cameroon (4 hours round trip of non-operational flying), to a friends hangar which is more robustly outfitted with a wide variety of service material. However, we've been slowly building capacity at Bongolo and, with our part-time pilot/mechanic, Rob, putting in some full-time work that week, along with Chad and I, the inspection went relatively smoothly!  Rob has a mechanic certification level (I.A.) appropriate to be meet the requirements to sign off this work.  We are thankful for this milestone in the program's history!


NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE...

... found a permanent, relatively hassle-free, parking spot at the International Airport!



After a year of pursuit (letters to government ministers and the military and many visits to offices), we were given a parking spot on the military ramp, not far from where the national parks have their hangar.  Typically, upon arrival on flights from Bongolo (our base of operations), we were parking in a VERY remote part of the hangar where our support vehicles and passengers could not easily reach. Our little airplane was being asked to do all the things that the large commercial airliners were doing to comply and it was, let's say, "a challenge".  With the encouragement of the National Parks (a relationship built over years; mutually beneficial) this HUGE blessing came about.  We really are thanking the Lord. Our operations are so much more efficient as a result.

NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE...

... landed at the Iguela Airstrip!



The Iguela airstrip is in a remote part of the coast where no roads reach from the capital city.  A request came in for assisting in a community project since all the national park aircraft were unavailable. Since it is our goal to become familiar with as many airports as possible (that have no regular air services), this was a big "win" for us in evaluating this airport that is a vital link in the region.


NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE...

... landed at the Gamba Airport!



This is another key airstrip further south along the coast from Iguela. The airport is under the control of an oil company so we weren't exactly sure how the procedure to plan a trip there would work (Note: in the photo you can see their aircraft of choice- helicopters). Thankfully, a friend of the national parks sent a local contact and it was taken care of! They even had a tower controller who was very helpful and is also, like me, a fan of the soccer club Olympique de Marseille!  Again, it is very strategic for the this ministry of the church to have visit all the open airstrips to network well in support of their churches and in the case of a needed medical evacuation.

GABON TRIVIA:  
How many Public Airports exist in Gabon?  12
How many Private Airports exist in Gabon?  12 (one helicopter only)

How many of those has AMB, our operation, operated in/out of?  All but 5!!!  
(helicopter pads don't count 😄 )


NEVER BEFORE HAVE I...

... been the lead pilot and gone on vacation with Flight Operations continuing!!!



My copilot here is Rob P., who has previously been flying in Gabon, but he and I were never on staff at the same time!  So, in May and in August I was able to take some vacation time with family and Rob was there to keep the program running!!!  Rob's wife is a doctor in the ophthalmology training program. Rob is part time in aviation, but wears many hats (Dad-duty with son Isaac and I.T. especially) and they are gracious to juggle their schedule and he steps into full-time mode here and there.

NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE...

... had a month with over 50 flight hours!!
  
June '22 was over 50 hours; October was a close 2nd "never have we ever" with about 45 flight hours! For a small operation with only one full time staffer and one part time staffer, this is a lot of work! We pray for another teammate (instructor) with the heart of a teacher since the national church and our mission team have tasked us with empowering local believers in the aviation department. 

NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE...

... had an African mechanic helper!


A skilled young man in the community joined Rob and I during the last inspection- a sign of things to come, we pray! As mentioned above, our goal is not to indefinitely be an aviation department staffed only by foreigners. Our mandate is to include local people of faith who are also affirmed by their faith community in these efforts. To do this, as mentioned, we pray for at least one more staff to join us, with instructor certifications and a mentors heart, so that we can develop this area.


Please consider partnering with us in this important work to SHOW and TELL about God's Love.

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4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you!!! I think you are pretty amazing too!!!

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  2. Such an awesome report! Our father is able to coordinate all the different tangents to bring the right people together at the right time, to accomplish more than we could ever ask or think.

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  3. A wonderful report. How key you folks are to the overall ministry of the Bongolo hospital. It is awesome to see how God is opening up contacts and opportunities to expand you ministry. Praying for you!

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