Meet the Fleet

I know many of you kindly listen to me ramble about what I'm doing.  A few of you may know exactly what I'm talking about.  For the rest of you I hope to clear up the names of the aircraft and their purposes that I work with and have contact with.

#1 Helio Courier

Helio Courier Serial #1 (currently for sale)

Out of the entire fleet, these aircraft can handle the roughest, shortest airstrips, making them well-suited for the mountainous terrain. While the Helio Couriers can’t carry as much as other fixed-wing aircraft, they’re essential in areas with the shortest airstrips.  Helio's are currently being flown in Cameroon and Indonesia however they are being fazed out because they run on avgas which is becoming unavailable and increasingly expensive overseas.  This aircraft hasn't been produced since the 1970s and JAARS must manufacture custom parts for maintenance.  Manufacturing Helio parts adds to the work that I preform. This aircraft is truly incredible. Check it out:
Helio Demo 1 
Helio Demo 2 

These aircraft are often used to:
Fly personnel and supplies to and from remote villages.
Transport cargo for economic development.
Assist in relief work.
Perform medical evacuations.

Stats:
Payload: 1000 lbs.
Range: 585 mi.
Takeoff Distance:  570 ft.

#2 Robinson R44 Helicopter

JAARS-trained pilots currently operate one Robinson R44 helicopter in Cameroon, where regal mountain ranges and rain forests often leave little room for landing aircraft. Here, and in surrounding countries, translators and support personnel must often work beyond the realm of roads or airstrips—in areas accessible only by helicopter.  The R44 is relatively economical to operate, though it also runs on avgas.  The R44 in Waxhaw, NC is used for demonstration and training.  I must comment that this was the first and only helicopter I have ridden in and is an absolute blast.  If I could have my choice, I would travel by helicopter all the time.  There are rumors of beginning a project to design a fixture to allow for patients on stretchers to be comfortably transported by this helicopter.  When the cargo pod project is completed this my be my next challenge.

The aircraft is often used to:
Transport personnel to and from remote villages.
Perform medical evacuations.
Serve the needs of the local hospital.

Stats:
Payload: 572 lbs.
Range: 273 mi.
Takeoff Distance: 0 ft.


#3  Pilatus Porter PC-6

This is probably my favorite plane that I get to work with.  Probably because I get to spend the most time with it and not because of it's good looks (it is said that it only flies because it is so ugly that the ground repels it).  Despite the look of it this airplane is a beast and so capable of serving missions that this is the most desired airplane overseas and if JAARS had the resources this is the aircraft it would buy. Three Pilatus PC-6s are operated by YAJASI, our aviation partner in Indonesia, which serves dozens of Bible translation teams and Christian mission organizations, as well as local citizens and the Indonesian government. The country hosts one of the most rugged landscapes on earth, from regal mountain ranges to forested islands, and requires equally rugged aircraft—such as the PC-6.  These aircraft boast greater speed and load capacity than YAJASI’s Helio Couriers, yet are capable of operating on runways just as short. They can also accommodate 10 passengers—twice the amount of Helio Couriers—and run on readily available jet fuel.  As seen in an earlier post I am helping design, build, and certify cargo pods for the PC-6.  This has been a long process that we are nearing the finish of.  Within the next couple of weeks we hope to have a PC-6 available to do ground vibration tests for the pods.  Hopefully one of the final steps on the project.

These PC-6s are often used to:
Transport personnel to and from remote villages.
Perform medical evacuations.
Transport produce from remote villages for economic development.
Provide flights to the local government and citizens.

Stats:
Payload: 2075 lbs.
Range: 690 mi.
Takeoff Distance: 700 ft.

#4 Cessna 206

JAARS-trained pilots operate six Cessna 206s in our overseas programs, including Brazil, Cameroon and Papua New Guinea. Much of these countries are draped with tightly woven rain forests, sinuous river systems and towering mountain ranges—all of which leave little room for airstrips.
Our Cessna 206s are able to fly into some of these countries’ tightest, roughest runways, providing continual support for translators and support personnel. They also boast greater speed, range and load capacity than our Helio Couriers, which have similar short takeoff and landing capabilities.

These aircraft are often used to:
Fly personnel to and from remote villages.
Transport cargo for community development.
Perform relief work.
Perform medical evacuations.
Provide additional support services to translators.

Stats:
Payload: 1100 lbs.
Range: 1000 mi.
Takeoff Distance: 800 ft.

#5 Quest Kodiak

This is probably the most talked about airplane in missions aviation. JAARS currently has one Kodiak serving in PNG and one in Waxhaw being prepared to go to PNG.  In Paupa New Guinea the Quest Kodiak will traverse some of the world’s most diverse terrain—from rock-strewn mountain ranges to dense rain forests, low-lying wetlands to isolated islands.  The Kodiak has been designed specifically for missionary and humanitarian aviation, and its energy-absorbing seats were designed by my supervisor, Terry Heffield. The aircraft boasts greater range, speed and load capacity than the program’s Cessna 206s, yet is capable of operating on runways almost as short. In addition, the Kodiak runs on jet fuel, which is readily available throughout the country.

The aircraft will be used primarily to:
Fly people to and from remote villages.
Transport cargo for community development.
Provide relief work.
Perform medical evacuations.
Provide additional support services to translators.

Stats:
Payload: 1413 lbs.
Range: 1230 mi.
Takeoff Distance: 691 ft.

JAARS supports many other aircraft types in various other countries.  It would take me a long time to go over all of these.  I gave a brief overview of the aircraft I come into contact with.  I hope you enjoyed reading and learning as much as I love explaining what I do.