A&P PowerPlant Phase & SMAT Graduation

The last four months of mechanics school was spent in the powerplant phase - engines. We had one major project running the duration of the phase, which was to completely disassemble and reassemble and aircraft engine. For our group, we were given an IO-520-F engine for the project. I had asked for this engine type because it's what PMA has on two of their Cessna 206 aircraft flying in Palau.

After disassembly, we spent a few weeks measuring all the internal components to ensure they were within the manufactures specifications - then it was reassembly time. Thankfully, we had been fairly methodical during the disassembly portion to bag and label the 100s of parts and pieces so we knew were they went when putting it back together.

Our reassembled engine was to go on the school's Cessna 210, so the removal of the engine on it and the installation of ours took a few days to accomplish. All the engine controls, fuel lines, oil lines, propellor control, etc. had to be removed from the old engine and then attached to ours. It was a great feeling to hear our engine fire right up on the first try and run well - four months of work paid off!

The last few weeks of school were a blur. We packed up the house and our container, I took my powerplant oral, practical, and written exam and graduated - the close of one chapter, and the beginning of the next with Pacific Mission Aviation!

God Provides - Container Packed!

In the course of a few shorts weeks, PMA purchased their third Cessna 206 for eventual serve in Manila, Philippines.  God put all the pieces in place - it's location in Grand Rapids, the missionary modifications already done to the plane, the price, and the fact we had already coordinated to ship our household goods to Micronesia in a container...just needed to ship a 40 ft one instead of 20 ft.  

With the help of SMAT instructors, their equipment, my Dad, and some fellow classmates,  we were able to move the aircraft to SMAT where the old engine was removed and sent back to the manufacturer (it was due for overhaul).  PMA's chief pilot / mechanic Amos and I coordinated long distance to buy a remanufactured IO-550-N engine and new propeller as well. 

The week of 15 August was a big week that started with our packing our household goods in the front portion of the container before the aircraft went in the back portion.  The wings and all control surfaces were removed so that it would all fit.  The new engine and propeller arrived just in time as well...a story for another time.  Once our things were packed, it was back to SMAT to load the fuselage and other plane parts on the schools flatbed so we could drive it to our house where the container was being packed.  Thankfully, and local farm equipment dealer helped us our with their lift!

By 22 August, the day before SMAT graduation, container doors were closed and sealed as it left by truck for the rail yard in Detroit.  It then will make its way to Long Beach, CA by train before being loaded on a cargo ship bound for Guam.  In Guam, it will be loaded on to a smaller ship before making the final leg of the trip to Yap, Micronesia.  Thank you God for all the help, good weather, and details that came together to get this container on it's way to the islands!

The Ferguson Flyer ✈ Wrapping Up & Saying Goodbye

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THE FERGUSON FLYER
JULY 2016

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Click here to read our July newsletter.

Pressing Forward,

Lance, Lana, Liam, Lilli, & Luis

Cessna 206 Flight Training

Here at SMAT, there's also a one year flight school training future missionary pilots and they have a Cessna 206 in their inventory on loan from Mission Aviation Fellowship. Pacific Mission Aviation also has Cessna 206s, so when the opportunity to receive some flight training presented itself, PMA agreed it was a good idea to get some time under by belt before arriving in Micronesia.  The 206 is 6 seater, singe engine aircraft that has been the backbone of mission aviation for many years.

While much slower and less complicated than my previous military flying, it is different nonetheless and takes a little getting used to.  Previously, there was no propeller blade angle or mixture to control. A different instrument cross check, less power and maneuverability (obviously), and the ability to takeoff/land on grass are some additional things I have to learn in this transition.

God has provided above and beyond what we need financially to serve with PMA and we were able to use our financial support for this training. Thanks to our financial supports for this opportunity to prepare better for future missionary flying!

New Missionary Wheels

On the Pacific islands, we'll have one family vehicle and my motorcycle.  After looking around on Craigslist for a few months, I found a nicely kept Suzuki dual sport to buy.  When it's time to pack up the container in August, she'll be going along with our belongings to the island.  Kids are excited to ride along whenever they get the chance, even if it's just around the yard.

Our Kids

Through this past year, Lana and I have done our best to speak weekly, if not daily about our upcoming transition to the islands of Micronesia as we seek to follow Jesus and share His gospel we will minister to.

It's also been amazing to watch them grow physically, mentally, and even spiritually over this past year to.  A year ago, Liam asked Jesus to save him from the penalty of this sin and Lilli has started to ask some more questions about Jesus as she comprehends more and more of the gospel.  It is our prayer that God take their lives and hearts at an early age and that we would be good Christian examples for them to follow!

Date Time!

During this year of preparation, Lana and I have been trying to get away some without the kids - though to do with three of them under the age of five.  But, we're so thankful for our friends who have helped make it possible for us to be able to focus on each other in the midst of the business!  Some donated hotel points and others let us borrow their airplane - God is good!  We were able to get away for our anniversary last fall and two other weekends, one to Grand Rapids and the other to Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes.  We even flew to Holland on Lake Michigan for a spur of the moment evening dinner...spontaneity is a good time sometimes!

I love this woman and can't imagine doing life and international missions without her - she's a true God send.  I love you Lana!

The Ferguson Flyer ✈ Pistons, Crankshafts, & Magnetos

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THE FERGUSON FLYER
APRIL 2016

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Click here (English) or here (Deutsch) to read our April newsletter.

Pressing Forward,

Lance, Lana, Liam, Lilli, & Luis

A&P Airframe Phase

This month I completed the airframe phase of mechanics training with a day of oral and practical (O&P) testing, follow a few days later with an FAA written exam.  All testing went fine, and I'm excited to be moving on into the powerplant phase - the last of my A&P training.

The preparation for these exams really starts from the beginning, especially the practical testing.  The oral and written exams have good study guides, but even then are comprise together of roughly 1,400 questions to study through.  Thankfully, many are answerable using a little common sense based upon what we've been taught, but there are many that just have to be memorized.

O&P day consisted of the oral exam starting at 0700 with the practical following immediately after.  The practical consisted of roughly 14 different projects I was to complete to FAA standards, and with a 15 min lunch in the middle of the testing I finished at 1500 that afternoon.  Of the three phases, airframe has the most information to learn, so it's nice to be on to the powerplant phase where we'll be disassembling and reassembling an aircraft engine.  Only a few more months!