Friday, May 18, 2012

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.

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