Been Busy!

I have been extremely busy the last several weeks. I was afraid that when the time changed, I would see a decrease in my workload since we have less daylight and I am only able to work after 3:00pm. Turns out, the same God who put us on this path is also in charge of my workload as well. I have almost doubled my workload after the time change! Praise his NAME!

The holidays are coming up and I am looking forward to some much needed time off to spend with the family.

All is well, thanks to God.

More Ratings

I passed my multi-engine rating on Friday of last week. Now I am certified to fly airplanes with two fans!

Our flight school purchased a twin engine airplane like the one pictured above and gave us instructors a great deal on getting our ratings so we could teach in it.

I still have to get my instructor's rating in it. That shouldn't take long, though. I will be able to increase my student base with being able to instruct in this airplane.

I also went over 200 hours of instruction given last week. That is a decent milestone.

All is well here. Kids are great and life is grand!

JAARS Day!

October 4 was JAARS day at the JAARS center in Waxhaw, NC. Maggy and I really wanted to go to visit, but we weren't sure if we would be able to make it. Flying was out of the question and driving was not attractive as an option because it was about a 10 hour drive.

We decided that we would try to make it and it worked out great. We drove up Friday night and arrived Sat morning in time to look around a little and have breakfast in the neatest restaraunt.

The tour started at 10:00 and we spent a lot of time visiting the places and talking with the staff. One of the highlights of the trip was the Alphabet museum. We could have spent hours there! It was fascinating to see the origins of the alphabets throughout the world.

We got a lot of our questions answered about how JAARS operates and the application process. Overall it was a very nice trip. I will try to post photos later on today.

We still have not made a firm decision on which way we will be going. For now, we are applying to both MAF and JAARS to see if either of them will have us. We still have some time. We are depending on God's guidance in the matter.

Mead News

Sorry, no picture this time.

It looks like the MAF maintenance internship in Idaho is not going to happen. Due to budget cuts, that program has been shelved for the time being. So we have something new to pray about! We will see what God's leading is for our future after my school ends in February. For the time being, I have a fairly secure job as flight instructor where I am working now part time.

We will probably go ahead and apply directly to the mission to see if we will be accepted to the summer candidacy program in 2009. I still would like to get some work in between in maintenace to sharpen my skills, but we will see.

School is 2/3 over for me. I started fifth term of six today. It looks like we will be kept busy with projects, so that is very good news.

Family is well and the kids are doing well in school. The baby is growing and his disposition has changed much. He smiles and laughs almost all day now and only gets a little fussy at meal time and when his diaper needs to be changed.

Cessna 400

Today I had a unique privelege of flying a Cessna 400. This airplane is the fastest production fixed gear airplane in the world. Cessna claims it will cruise at 235 knots at altitude. Although we never made it higher than 3500 ft today, it is by far the fastest airplane I have had the pleasure of controlling!

All else is going well. The kids are great and growing. The clock is ticking for A&P school to be finished in February.

More news as it happens.

Kodiak from Quest

Last week Maggy and I had the honor and the privilege of becoming some of the first passengers in a Quest Kodiak. The Kodiak is a purpose built airplane to replace the aging fleet of regular aviation gas burning airplanes currently on the field. The Kodiak carries much more than the airplanes they will replace and use Jet fuel which is much more available around the world in addition to being cheaper to buy.

It was phenomenal! It accelerates quickly, climbs rapidly and is very smooth. It is also very simple despite having the latest in avionics technology. I can't wait to fly them on the field! (If it is the Lord's will!)

We went over with a fellow classmate who is also interested in mission aviation. I caught up with a few old friends from Venezuela that I grew up with who are living or visiting Sanford, FL, headquarters for New Tribes Mission where the airplane was on display. Additionally, Jonathan went on his first airplane ride! We went over in an airplane from the flight school where I work. He did great!

I was fortunate to be able to sit in the front seat and I even got the pilot to sign a logbook entry!

Baby is doing very well. Kids are excited to go back to school next week.

God has seen fit to bless me with new flight students at work and I am flying much more! Last week were a few new milestones: I went over 500 hours total time and over 100 hours of flight instruction given.

School is still very boring, but each day is a day closer to graduation. Next week I will be eligible to take my test for powerplant license. Then on to Airframe.

I have succumbed to peer pressure and have signed up on Facebook, so you can find me on there as well.

Baby is Home

Jonathan and Mommy returned home on Thursday. We were happy to get them home and settled in. Both are doing very well. Mommy was able to get some much needed rest as Jonathan went to the kids' VBS performance. Everyone was very suprised to see the baby out and about so soon, but he took it all in stride.

David's brother's kids are still in town and Josh and Karina are having a wonderful time with their cousins.

Karina celebrated her 11th birthday on Saturday. She had a few friends over with cake and presents. Daddy took her out for a special night out on Friday night. She bought a new swimming suit, they went out to eat at her favorite restaurant China Buffet and then they went and played a round of mini golf.

Josh went camping with his cousins and Grandma and Papa.

See the photo tab to the right for more pictures.