A&P General Written Test

Mid December, we wrapped up the first phase of my airframe and powerplant (A&P) training here at the School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT).  I'm enjoying learning the mechanics side of flying and look forward to using my FAA qualifications to help Pacific Mission Aviation starting next fall.

The year of training is broken down into three phases: General, Airframe, & Powerplant.  At the end of each phase is a written FAA test, and the Airframe and Powerplant phases also include an oral and practical (O&P) exam administered by an FAA examiner.  Both of these O&P exams will take the better part of a day to compete.

I applied and was approved to take the written test early just to stay ahead of things - can't complain with a 100%!  Most A&P programs are two year programs and the SMAT program is one year, so things are packed together.  2016 is just around the corner, the year we leave for Micronesia!

Snoopy

A friend of mine I originally met at Cedarville University was kind of enough to offer me his Cessna 140 for 4-5 months while at mechanics school for no other reason than for me to keep some of my flying skills sharp.  It's a huge blessing because I had never taken any of the family flying.  The airplane's name is "Snoopy".

In order to fly a tailwheel aircraft, it requires an FAA checkout by an instructor.  So, since my friend is also an instructor we were able to accomplish my tailwheel checkout before he returned home.  Since the plane has arrived I've been able to take the kids and Lana flying, a great experience we've all enjoyed!  

The Ferguson Flyer - Propellers, Bolts, & Grease

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THE FERGUSON FLYER
OCTOBER 2015

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

Pressing Forward,

Lance, Lana, Liam, Lilli, & Luis

A New Routine & Country Livin'

We've been in our home for almost a month now and feeling quite settled. The routine of school is also underway with a set daily schedule of 0700-1530, providing a lot of good family time! Living in the country is great for many reasons, but mostly a big yard and trees for the kids and farms around so we can ride in the tractors - although that might be more for Dad.

One day while out in the yard playing with the kids, a nearby dairy farm started chopping corn across the street. As one of the tractors pulling a trailer drove by, the driver and I passed a cordial wave. A couple of minuets later, he came back by and asked if Liam and I wanted to ride along - yes please! We've met up and ridden a few different times while they chop hay or corn.

Our SMAT Home

On 30 August our family made the move from Adrian to Ionia, MI where we're going to live for the next year while at The School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT).  Our best friends, Kendall and Heather, were a HUGE help in letting us store our household goods in their barn / shop for a couple weeks.  They also have a covered trailer and truck we used to move our things once our rental home opened - there was a previous SMAT student renting the house.  

SMAT started on 28 August, but due to the other family moving out we had to wait a few days before moving in for some repairs.  This made for a one day move in before heading back to school - thanks to Kendall, Jeremy & Andi, and my parents for getting us settled in a short period of time!