Summer in the hangar

Time seems to be flying past just now – I have just had a flick through our blog and realised Heather has been doing all the blogging since the beginning of August! Don’t worry though, I haven’t been sitting around waiting for something to happen! Life at the hangar has been as busy as usual with lots of work going on. So here is a bit of an update for you on what has been happening.

The 207 project has been moving well along since my last post, and for nearly 3 weeks in August, Josh and I were busy rebuilding the tailcone which was damaged in the accident last year. It was great experience for me; the tailcone is a notoriously difficult part of an aircraft to work with, being made up mainly of 16 thousandths of an inch thick aluminium sheet (less than half a millimetre for all you metric folk!) and it is very easy to damage badly if you slip off a rivet head with your rivet gun.

The tail cone, still just flimsy sheets.

It was also amazing to see the structure appear as our work went on. Have you ever done one of those teamwork challenges where you build a bridge from newspaper and sticky tape? When we started putting the tailcone together we had 3 big sheets of aluminium flopping around with some long (and very fragile looking) stringers running the length of the plane. By the time we were halfway through riveting the structure I was able to lie inside to “buck” the rivets as Josh was driving them from the outside.

A few shots of me bucking rivets inside the tailcone

With over a thousand rivets in the tailcone I felt a real sense of achievement at having been so involved in this project!

Driving some rivets on the tailcone

Me, Josh and the finished tailcone!

After we had completed the structural work it was time for the plane to be wheeled into the paint booth and have it’s fresh paint applied. Josh took the time to explain the process to me as he was applying the white to the tail.

The majority of my work when I finish at MMS and move into a field programme will be carrying out annual inspection work, so I was fortunate enough to be able to get involved in the Phase inspection of a King Air 200 operated by www.gcigospel.org
The experience is definitely worthwhile and it has been good to get to work with some of the other mechanics here at MMS. The PT6 turbine engines that this King Air has are being used on more and more mission aircraft due to their much more economical running costs, so getting some exposure to them is definitely a good thing!

For a few days this week we have had Dereck Plante volunteering in the hangar with us. He has had a background in electronics and is looking to see what God has planned for his future. An interest in technical things and aeroplanes led him to MMS, and before he heads off to a YWAM training course for the next 6 months, he was able to come and spend a few days in the hangar. It was good to get to know him a bit as he worked with us, and it was also good to get a few pointers on soldering and circuit boards while he was about!

Bob, Dereck and myself by GCI's King Air

Away from the airport we have all been busy. Our trip back home next month is taking lots of work, as we arrange all the formalities for our visa interview at the American Embassy and a short presentation to share while we are back in the UK. Matthew is really enjoying pre-school, and looks forward to his Friday morning spot there. Abi is still loving school, and amazes us at how much knowledge she can soak in! (Tonight it was a recital of the Pledge of Allegiance… still not sure if Scot’s are meant to say that!!) Heather is busy settling into her new role in the MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group, and this week has had her small group and their children) round to the house for a “wee get-together”. I am enjoying being a part of the Nazarene church here, and am able to get involved with the sound team on a Sunday morning, and the men’s fellowship group that meet once a month.

Thanks for checking in on us!