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.

40 Years ago today

When you hear "A&P" you might think of a great grocery store chain of yesteryear. Anyone around aviation understands it refers to an aircraft mechanic. "A&P" is verbal shorthand for a mechanic holding an FAA mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings.

Forty years ago today I became an A&P. Today is Shawn Bupp's first day as an A&P.

In my career I added an FAA Inspection Authorization and in 1991 the FAA designated me a mechanic examiner. In the FAA's acronym ridden system, I'm refered to as a DME. A DME administers a mechanic applicant's oral and practical exam.

Shawn is the 150th exam I've administered, and he demonstrated that MMS Aviation meets its goal of quality training for mechanics going into mission aviation. (As a DME I examine mechanic applicants from a variety of experience backgrounds. MMS apprentices and other missionary aircraft mechanics account for 47 of the exams I've done.) Congratulations, Shawn.