1941 TAYLORCRAFT GETS NEW GASKET

This is a very unusual photo of Dennis. He likes to get his hands dirty. He likes to work on engines. Here he is trying to keep his hands off the engine while instructing 2 LeTourneau students who are replacing a blown cylinder head gasket. It's been fun for everyone this week sharing the "beauty" of the MMS program (an apprenticeship program with a "hands on" approach, while working on "live" aircraft). The airplane they are working on is a 1941 Taylorcraft that was donated to MMS several years ago. This allows our pilots to get more hours of "tail dragger" experience, as well as more hours of less expensive flight time, preparing them for future service with other missionary organizations. Now that I've given you just a little glimpse of Dennis' day, I'm heading out to do errands.

LETOURNEAU INTERNS AT MMS

It's Spring (or it will be in 2 days) and for universities that means Spring Break and Intern Programs. For the past several years, MMS has hosted college students from LeTourneau University in TX. They travel to Ohio, then spend a week with us at MMS and, under the supervision of MMS staff, work on whatever current projects are available. This gives them an opportunity to use their airplane maintenance skills in actual shop conditions. Sometimes, this confirms a "call" to mission service. Later, MMS can provide a 2 years "hands on" additional work experience for mechanics that are "fresh" out of school, with little or no maintenance experience. This makes them eligible to apply with various mission organizations that use airplanes to enable the spreading of the gospel, often in remote parts of the world.

PEOPLE AND PLANES

Bat-Enkh, missionary from Mongolia

In 2004, Bat was sent to the United States (and MMS Aviation) to study, gain more experience on the hangar floor, and take the US Airframe & Powerplant exams. Bat completed that course and returned to Mongolia. Now, he has returned to MMS for another month of preparation and , when the preparation is complete, will take his Authorized Inspector's exams. He will then return to Mongolia as a missionary who can return mission aircraft to service.

Paint job now complete

Time to install engine for Moody Aviation's airplane

COMPANY IS COMING

Tomorrow night company is coming for dinner and it's time to get the house back in order. After a day at MMS, working with Dana to prepare February's financial reports, close the accounting month and begin paying March's invoices, it was time to make a quick stop at WalMart, then heat up leftovers for supper, order my prescription, bake a few pies, toss a salad and do the dishes. That was about all I "had in me" for today. Dennis and his two companions "stepped up to the plate" for the final kitchen preparations. It'll be fun to meet Mark, Jenny and Abigail. They are here from England for a one week evaluation and some time on the hangar floor to see if MMS is a "good fit" for their future training in aircraft maintenance and a career in mission aviation. Rounding out the table, will be our two single apprentices, Paul (from Ohio) and Andy (also from England and here as a part of MAF-UK's partnership with MMS Aviation). Another opportunity to see what English is really supposed to sound like.