Conformity Completed

So here's an update on the pod project.  First a refresher, this is the PC-6 (ugly):

This is the pod:

This is the pod full up lead in a test from last year:

This is me celebrating after all of the cargo pod parts were conformed a few weeks ago:

Now that we have completed this step in the process we have to assemble two pods and have the DER (designated engineering representative) come out and inspect and conform the assemblies.  Then we have both the DER and the DAR ( designated airworthiness representative) come out to witness and sign off on our ground vibration testing.  The PC-6 we will be using will be coming soon, however, the DAR isn't available until December 1st.  That's a lot later then we had hoped but we have plenty to do in the meantime.

Bam!

Yesterday the floats on an R-44 helicopter were tested.  I was fun to watch but happened really fast.

Get Involved!

In the hangar we are busy preparing the Kodiak to head to Papua New Guinea.  Please be in prayer as preparations are being made and for the upcoming flight.  Also pray for those in PNG that will have their lives touched by this tool.

If you want to get involved, sign up the receive updates about the Kodiak.  You will be able to track the flight, receive pictures and participate in activities.  Sign up at http://kodiak.jaars.org/flight/

JAARS is also sending some love to our coworkers in Papua New Guinea—and you can join in! Email an encouraging note, photo, or drawing to kodiak@jaars.org by September 29, and we'll send it on our Kodiak's upcoming flight to the Pacific.  We want to shower those working in PNG with prayers and encouragement. There are linguists, pilots, tech staff, teachers, missionary kids, and more involved in bible translation in PNG. So take a few minutes to contribute; your message could be a huge pick-me-up to someone you may never get to encourage in person. If you know any kids who'd enjoy being part of the Kodiak's trip encourage them to write a note, draw a picture, or create a "Flat Stanley" drawing by September 29, and we'll send it by Kodiak to a school in Papua New Guinea. For more information, contact Beth at hr_group_coordinator_jaars@jaars.org.

So get involved and be a part of this exciting event!

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.

Tail Stand Teaser

Tail Stand

 

Tow Bar

 

Combining the tow bar and tail stand into one piece of equipment reduces the weight allowing for more payload in the Kodiak.  Parts are being made to make 4 of these awesomely designed contraptions.  

You Know You are at a Missions Organization When...

God at Work

As many of you know, I helped prepare JAARS's first Kodiak that is in service in Papua New Guinea last summer.  It is always encouraging to hear stories of how your work and effort has made a difference.  This week we heard from the bible translators in PNG.  They had a bible dedication last weekend.  The Kodiak took 3 plane loads of 1800 lbs of New Testaments to the Tapmage Airstrip in the Finisterre Mountains.  There were 9,000 Yopno speakers at the dedication, 4,000 prints copies were made.