Second Honduras Trip - A Bit More

As I mentioned in my last blog I was in Honduras October 16-23.  The reason was to help Alas de Socorro with a major inspection of one of their planes.  The morning I left I took a few pictures of the hospital there in Ahuas, Honduras.

 I have no doubt you can read the sign, however in (my) English language version it says, "Moravian Evangelical Clinic, Ahuas".  I've referred to it as a hospital because they do surgery and house patients and do lots of "hospitally" things there, but you can call it a clinic if you like.

In two weeks they will celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the hospital.  I know that because of the date on the front of this building and some folks were talking about the celebration.

 

 The facility has electrical power 24 hours a day.  What looks like a porch roof in the center of this picture is a solar panel array.

 

 The solar panels keep eight big lead-acid batteries charged and the electricity is converted to 120 volt AC by inverters.  There are diesel powered generators that run a while each night to keep the batteries charged.

Dr. and Mrs. Benno Marx are on the hospital staff and hosted me for lunch each day.  They live in this house.  Last week Dr. Marx told me in an email they were doing appendectomies along with ever-present treatment of malaria patients.

Back at the hangar, the flight on which I'd start my trip home was waiting for weather to improve at our destination.  Enough time had been planned into the schedule that I wasn't in much danger of missing my flight back to the US.

It was a good trip.

Second Honduras Trip This Year

October 16th I got up very early, O-dark-thirty I think, and drove an hour and a half to the the Port Columbus International Airport.  It was the first leg of my journey to Ahuas, Honduras.  There I was to assist Alas de Socorro personnel with a major inspection of a Cessna model 206.  After 1,000 hours of flight time it's a really good idea to inspect a plane much more thoroughly than is done on more routine 100 hour inspection interval.

Ahuas (ah-wass) is in eastern Honduras and the two Alas de Socorro Cessnas primarily support a mission hospital there.  Alas de Socorro (Wings of Aid/Help in English) is a charitable organization chartered in Honduras with all Honduran staff and leadership. 

Most general aviation airplanes are simply referred to by their registration letters and HR-AUS, or "Uniform Sierra", was the subject of the 1,000 hour inspection.  When I arrived most of the disassembly for inspection was done.

During the week there were flights to bring seriously ill people to the hospital.  One flight took a patient on to a larger hospital better equipped to treat the patient's condition.  Here the pilot deplanes from "Juliet Whiskey" (HR-AJW) after that flight.

With the tail feathers removed, mechanic's helper, Weily, cleans minor surface corrosion from the aluminum skin.  The planes are well maintained but a 1,000 hour inspection is a good time to attend to the details.  I inspected primary structure.  Because of my structural repair experience, I helped replace a number of loose rivets and install a service kit on the horizontal stabilizer.  One day during which the mosquitoes were particularly obnoxious, we stayed indoors and I gave Alas' Director, George, a refresher course in finding regulatory and technical data on the Internet.  Especially important was how to keep up with Airworthiness Directives that identify unsafe conditions in aircraft.

George (left) was my host.  He trained as a pilot and mechanic at Moody Aviation and worked with Mission Aviation Fellowship for several years.  Wayne does quite a bit of the flying and helps George with maintenance also.  The plane behind them, "Juliet Whiskey", was refurbished at MMS Aviation a few years ago.  George, Wayne and Weily are all from the region of Honduras where they serve.

I arrived back home in Coshocton, Ohio October 23rd.  Getting home is always the best part of the trip.

Washington Slept Here

Yesterday morning a pilot friend, John, who has an airstrip near Coshocton called me.  He asked if if a friend of his who was delivering a plane to an airshow in Fort Wayne, Indiana could put it in the MMS hangar for a night.  It is a rather rare World War II era P-51-C Mustang fighter plane painted in the colors of a Tuskegee Airmen squadron.  Fortunately there was space available so I told John we'd be happy to hangar the plane.



Getting fuel on the ramp between the MMS hangars

The weather was a bit rainy yesterday afternoon, but between showers the P-51 was fueled for today's departure.  I'd called my daughter, Jen, thinking it would be a chance for Chanelle and Javin to connect with a bit of history, and invited them to come see the plane. 




Jen, Chanelle, Jason and Javin with the P-51-C

After a few pictures were taken it started raining again and Jason helped the pilot and me push the fighter into the hangar.  The pilot, who is an airline pilot in his day job, invited me into the cockpit for a picture.  Even though I was pretty wet, I didn't decline the offer.



My left hand is on the throttle, right hand on the (joy) stick, and my index finger on the trigger.

After the fog lifted this morning it was perfect weather for flying and the Mustang headed west.



Towed out of the hangar into the bright sunlight

This P-51-C travels with an exhibit honoring the Tuskegee Airmen and their service in World War II.  You can learn more about the exhibit at http://www.redtail.org/.  Without success I went online to find out if this particular plane had actually been flown by the Tuskegee airmen.  Regardless, it represents a significant bit of history and it was fun to have hosted it last night.

As I (Rena who has an afternoon break) sit in the shade of the MASA (Missionary Aviation Support Association) tent, there is a constant stream of airplane traffic overhead. AirVenture, Oshkosh is the busiest airport in the world for one week in July every year. Demonstrations, exhibitors, stunt fliers is the order of the day. People are here from all over the world.
The community of missionary aviation gathers during this time as well, to aquaint the world of missionary aviation, recruit and witness to those who come through our tents. A lot of networking also happens between the missions as we work for the common goal of reaching the lost for Christ.

Dwight and Rena, Ryan, Chuck and Jim

The banner in front of the tent goes up

We discovered a DC-3 that came through our hanger some years ago. MMS facilitated getting it changed from Canadian registry to US registry with some modifications. We learned it had carreid some famous passengers - the Queen of England and Sir Winston Churchill. AND the "famous" Dwight Jarboe's signature is in the logbook! Ha!

Dwight talks with an inquirer

While I was typing, the Good Year Blimp flew over the tent - so I've included this too!

A Different Bird

There are a lot of different aircraft used in support of missionary work and many of them are designed with short take-off and land (STOL) capability.  Most are manufactured by established aircraft companies; however, one came to MMS Aviation recently that is classified as an amateur built aircraft.  It is a Zenith CH-801 and is supplied to the builder in kit form.  The plane is a four-seater and has a 185 horsepower engine.

This drawing is from the Zenith website, highlights the plane's features, and shows what the airplane looks like.

This plane's airframe and engine were assembled by missionary, Ethan Shields, and volunteers at a shop in Louisiana.  It was brought to MMS for installation of the electrical and radio systems.  The airplane's components will be painted here before its final assembly.

The fuselage is unloaded into MMS' Hangar A

Ethan will use the Zenith in Mexico to get to isolated villages.  Until it is finished, MMS mechanics will assist Ethan with the work.

The plane was designed to be sturdy and easy to build.

Ethan discusses an engine matter with an unidentified MMS mechanic.

This is the 100th Christian missionary/ministry organization MMS Aviation has served. I guess we'll have to have an extra-special celebration when it's completed.

First Visit to Grandma's House

Our family with Rena's parents. (Jason, Jen's husband was not present)

After four and a half months of hospitalization due to perforations in her small intestine, our granddaughter was dismissed from Nationwide Children's Hospital after surgery to reconnect her intestine, and went home with her parents March 17th.  The following weekend, Scott, Stephanie and Kiara Bell Jarboe visited us

The three cousins

Hello Aunt Jen

Javin meets Kiara for the first time

Such a little princess!

Honduras Trip Wrap-up

Early this month I was in Honduras to inspect a Cessna 206 operated by Missionary Air Group (MAG.  I've been home over a couple of weeks and need to finish the story I began in an earlier blog. 


Post-inspection operational check and adjusting a newly installed compass completed work on the plane.

The inspection revealed a well maintained airplane.  However, a significant crack in the outlet of the right exhaust muffler caused the immediate purchase of a replacement muffler and its expedited shipment to Honduras.  FedEx doesn't deliver to the small village of Rus Rus, but another missionary aircraft operator loaned us a good used muffler.  It allowed me to certify the plane's airworthiness and let us fly to San Pedro Sula to receive the new muffler that had been ordered.

My experience in Honduras was not just airplane maintenance.  I became acquainted with Westley and Denise Wiles and enjoyed their hospitality.  Through the Wiles and MAG president, Sean Donnelly, I learned much more about their work in Rus Rus.  I also met Elvin, a teenage resident there, who is serious about living out his Christian faith.


Elvin on his way home from playing "fútbol" agreed to this picture with me.

On the Sunday afternoon that I was there, Elvin came by the Wiles' house and asked a question about how our faith should affect our conduct.  It challenged me greatly to reach way back and drag my Spanish language ability out of storage.  Borrowing the Wiles' Spanish language Bible, I had Elvin read verses that spoke to his question.  I believe it helped Elvin, it certainly was a refresher course in Spanish for me, and our conversation is one of the highlights of my trip.



Jack

I also met Jack. Jack is a white-throated capuchin monkey and has been the Wiles' pet for practically all of his four years.  He occupies a large enclosure at one end of the porch and enjoys interacting with his owners and their visitors from time to time outside his cage.

For me, the best part of a trip is getting home.  I arrived at our house very early Sunday morning, March 11th, and the following Saturday our little granddaughter, Kiara, went home from the hospital.  It's been a good month!

Update on our Granddaughter

If you have been following the story of our granddaughter, Kiara, you will realize what a miracle she is. She had surgery on February the 29th to reconnect her intestine. Amazing what modern medicine and surgeries can accomplish these days.  She has dealt with some very rough days, but God has been gracious and we give Him all the glory.

Below is a video taken on Monday, March, 12th of Dwight holding Kiara.  She is doing so well and we anticipate that she will get to go home very soon.

Airplane Inspection - I'm a Mechanic Again

Missionary Air Group (MAG) operates a Cessna 206 in Rus Rus, Honduras.  Rus Rus is in the easternmost department of Honduras not far from the border with Nicaragua.  The plane is under US registration, so an FAA certificated mechanic with an Inspection Authorization (IA) is needed to perform the annual inspection.  The pilot/mechanic, Westley Wiles, who flies and maintains the plane doesn't have an IA, so MMS Aviation was asked for help.  I am able to sign off annual inspections and it was an opportunity to get away from the office and be an airplane mechanic without wearing my administrator's "hat".

Flying over Eastern Honduras Friday afternoon.

Rus Rus is a very small village with a few houses and a clinic/hospital.  MAG acquired the hospital from another mission group that left the area.  The facility is quite nice and continues to be improved to offer a more complete range of medical services.  It is the only medical facility in the area

Pre-inspection run-up this morning.

MAG president, Sean Donnelly, came to Rus Rus also to help with the plane's inspection.  Sean flew first thing this morning to record how the plane performed and warm up the engine for the compression check and oil change.  Along with Westley, Sean and I completed the engine inspection and routine servicing today.  Tomorrow we'll go to church and then begin on the airframe inspection Monday.

I safety wire the fuel control inlet fuel screen.

A Rare Treat at the Hangar

Scott, an MMS Aviation staff mechanic and Supervisor, took apprentice mechanic, Paul, across the Coshocton airport yesterday to bring a Boeing Stearman biplane to the MMS hangar for its annual inspection.  At MMS we do a limited amount of commercial work and the Stearman is owned by a local businessman.  It was pretty foggy and dreary as they towed the plane from the owner's hangar to ours.

Scott and Paul check the wheels and brakes.

It's pleasant and well lighted in Hangar B and a bright yellow biplane makes it even more cheery.  After all the access panels are opened, inspection and servicing of the airplane begins.  This plane was built in the 1940s but was completely restored in 2002.  At first glance it looks completely original, but improvements were made during its restoration to make it safer and more reliable.  (There's a GPS antenna mounted on the top wing.)

I inspect the forward "N" strut and flying wire attachments.

This Stearman was restored by one of the top shops in the US that does these planes, and it has been very well maintained since then.  Yet, it still must be thoroughly inspected each year to determine its airworthiness.  This year I get to take a break from administrative duties to do the inspecting.

Paul (left) and Scott check the magneto ignition timing.

The vast majority of the aircraft maintenance done at MMS Aviation is on planes operated in support of Christian ministry around the world.  In fact, a crew of our mechanics started another mission project today which will be sent to Brazil when repairs are completed.  However, it is fun once in a while to bring in a 70 year old fabric covered biplane with a radial engine and give it a good inspection.

Scott's Birthday and a Baby Visit

Our son, Scott celebrated his 32nd Birthday on Sunday. We along with his grandparents and sister went to help him and Stephanie celebrate.

Later we went to the hospital to visit our baby granddaughter. You may remember that she was born prematurely on October 31.  She remains in the hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Stephanie, Kiara and Scott (December)

 
It has been a rough road for her with two emergency surgeries to repair perforations in her intestine. Some days have been rough, but many days have been good. She has grown (in the past three months) from 2 lbs 6 oz to 6 lbs 5 oz.  We look forward to the day when she can come home.  At least one more surgery is in her future before she can be released.  Please enjoy the video below of her past three months. Your prayers for her in the days ahead would very much be appreciated.

Please disregard the videos that follow. We have no control over what You Tube offers in the line up of videos.

Snow - The Beauty and the Work

Friday morning we woke up to frigid temperatures.

For those of our readers who measure in Celsius, the temperature was -16°.

The Friday night snowfall presented a winter wonderland this morning.

.........And lots of work for Dwight as he cleared the snow around our cars.  Thankfully a neighbor cleared off (with his tractor) the 4 inches of snow that had accumulated on our driveway. Thankful for great neighbors like Chuck!

Dwight at "Snow's Gym"

Back in Service

Missionary pilot, Steve Straw, tells about the first flight to the Bongolo Hospital after repair of the Cessna 207 at MMS Aviation and its return to Gabon. We are thrilled that it is now back in service.

Check out Steve's blog about that first flight. Click here.

Catch Up

MMS Aviation is closed during the week between Christmas and the New Year. This give the opportunity for families to travel back home for the holidays.

Inventory is on the agenda when everyone returns. That's right, every nut,bolt and screw needs to be counted. Some parts are too plentiful and small and those are weighed. Not fun but necessary.

(In both pictures above) Jim counts CherryMAX rivets. They are like high class pop rivets and are quite expensive.

Mike compares the number in the box to the quantity on the inventory sheet. They are supposed to agree.

Meanwhile, upstairs in the office people are lined up to see the CFO, Mary for their financial questions

Having fun with the line-up outside the CFO's office.

By mid-week, inventory, review of the MMS Standard Operating Manual, and recurrent training on the repair station manuals were completed.  That let mechanics get back to work on airplanes and everything at MMS Aviation get back to normal.