Flying

Karen has written several updates recently, and this time it's my turn (Joe). I love flying airplanes and I have a lot of friends who fly and who are also passionate about aviation. So, some random thoughts on flying, things I've done and what I know so far about flying in Lesotho.  

Flying is not "just a job" for me, and it was not initially a career goal. As a kid I did look up in the sky a lot at airplanes and wish that I was flying, but due to economic constraints and  parents' concern for safety, being a pilot was not something that I perceived as in the realm of possibility. As at result I came to aviation at almost 30 years of age when I rode with my younger brother in a rented Cessna 172.  I was hooked from that point. Karen could see how interested I was and for my birthday in 2010 gave me an introductory flying lesson and a headset. I don't think she realized at that time what a large life change her act would cause. Hopefully she would do it again! 

For those of you who are not aviators, you must realize that ratings or certificates in aviation never end. I can guarantee you that the most accomplished pilot is either consciously or unconsciously yearning for the opportunity to fly a different aircraft, or even better, to earn another FAA rating or certificate. Most of the time, an aviator has a mental list of the next achievements he or she wants to attain. Sometimes these are official ratings and sometimes they are personal records or personal goals. There are practical or career reasons for these attainments, but not always. Many times an aviator will get a rating "just in case" or to qualify for an aviation job he or she is dreaming about.   

Using myself as an example, as of today, I'm an instrument qualified single and multiengine land-aircraft commercial airplane pilot as well as an instructor for single engine airplanes, including instrument instruction. I am also a airframe and powerplant mechanic.  Since I have my dream job with MAF already, I have little reason for career advancement purposes to achieve more ratings. Yet I have a list of desired ratings which I want to attain, for personal fulfillment and a sense of achievement: high altitude endorsement, tailwheel, single engine seaplane, multiengine instructor, air transport pilot (ATP), commercial rotor wing, mechanic with inspection authorization (IA). Time and expense may prevent achievement of some of the goals, but I can always dream!

Karen with my airplane the day I flew it home

Shortly after I became a private pilot seven years ago, this ratings game plus the desire to be able to use aircraft as a real transportation tool drove me to get an instrument rating (a pilot is properly trained to fly through clouds) and then a commercial certificate (so I could be paid to fly). I also began to want to fly faster aircraft than I could economically rent where I lived in Pullman, WA. So I talked myself into buying an airplane. After some research I narrowed my options down to a few different models but there was really only one option for me in my search for speed: a Mooney. I purchased a 1967 Mooney M20F in 2012 and owned it for just over 2 years. I used it for customer service for our family business and for many personal trips with Karen. The ability to go in a straight over mountains and across country at nearly 200 mph brought us to several states and many adventures. Some of the trips in the Mooney stretched my abilities as a pilot, and though I made mistakes, God kept us safe. 

Safety was actually indirectly how I got into missionary aviation. In an attempt to be a conscientious pilot, I periodically attend FAA conferences related to aviation safety. In 2013, shortly before the birth of our daughter, I attended one that turned out to be a mission aviation safety conference. Though I had previously possessed a vague awareness of mission aviation, at that conference, I had my first exposure to missionary aviators. I found out that with my degree from Moody and my commercial pilot certificate, I only needed an mechanic certificate to qualify to be a missionary pilot. Over the course of the days after that conference I began to realize that God had been preparing me all my life for mission aviation. I was overjoyed at finding a way to fulfill my call to serve God in His kingdom while helping others and engaging my passion for flying. You can read more about my passion and calling here.   

But first I had to become an aviation mechanic. It would have been nice to keep my airplane and keep flying while I studied to become a mechanic, but as always in life, there was no way to have it all. So I made the decision to quit my job in the family business, sell my airplane and go all in on an aviation career by becoming a CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor).  After several years as an amateur pilot, I was finally becoming an aviation professional.  As I studied and prepared for this role, I quickly realized that I had a long way to go and a lot to learn.  Fortunately, I had a great and patient teacher in Theresa Nelson at Aero Maintenance in Vancouver, WA, and ended up working for a very professional flight school, Hillsboro Aero Academy, in Hillsboro, OR.  Meanwhile, I attended Portland Community College to become an A&P.

I have flown a couple different models of Cessna 206.  One of them was for a technical evaluation with MAF, and is the same model that I will be flying in Lesotho with MAF, a T-206G.  Before we go to Lesotho I will have opportunity to do a few weeks of training with MAF to standardize on their SOPs and operations in this model. All MAF pilots go through this standardization and I am getting more and more excited about this training after watching several videos posted by other MAF pilots who have gone through this process. To get their pilots ready to fly in challenging mountain terrain and to give them confidence to safely land on airstrips in these mountains that are sometimes less than 1000 feet in length, the MAF standardization takes place in the mountains of Idaho near the MAF headquarters.  The terrain and mountains there are remarkably similar to those in Lesotho, where I will be operating the 206 on dirt and grass airstrips that are 6-10,000 feet above sea level.  

Mountains of Lesotho

I find aviation to be immensely satisfying, both as a commercial pilot and as an instructor.  As an instructor, it's tremendously gratifying to see a student progress and take on the role of being a pilot. 

Besotho woman with baby in MAF airplane

They may struggle but then they "get it." They have the satisfaction of having worked to overcome an obstacle to success. They learn to make smart decisions, to be disciplined, to be methodical and to not let the unexpected fluster them.  I have the privilege of guiding them in that process, and I get to learn along with them.  Often, I have to overcome my own frustration.  Many times I realize that I don't know what I need to when I have to explain or demonstrate something to a student. But the net result is that we both learn.  I also love introducing people, and especially young people, to aviation.  General aviation epitomizes the freedom and community that can be had as a result of investing concerted effort in responsible use of a shared system.  General aviation pilots in the United States have the privilege of flying almost anywhere they want and mingling in the same airspace with airliners carrying hundreds of passengers. This privilege is a result of substantial training and careful attention to safety and good judgment that the vast majority of pilots exhibit.  It's a special community of which I am humbled and happy to be a part. When I take a young person on an introductory flight and see their excitement and joy as they take the controls of the airplane, I am hoping they will catch the bug and invest the time and effort to become part of the aviation community.  I can also use the airplane as a tool to save lives and bring hope to those who have lost hope. How blessed I am to be able to do something I love to help others!

Our Journey Continues

The Graduate

It has been a while since a post and it is time to catch everyone up on what is in store for 2017 and share how God has been working in our lives. 

Joe finished maintenance school in December and is now a FAA certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic (A&P). This certification was the last major prerequisite to applying for mission aviation agencies.  While he was in school he was working as a flight instructor part-time.  Since August he has been working full-time at

Joe's ground students at HAA

Hillsboro Aero Academy as the ground instructor for 29 soon-to-be airline pilots from China. He teaches them a three-hour ground class four times a week, does some flight training (including progress check flights) and monitors the overall progress and well-being of the class. What he likes best about the job is working with instructors and school staff to help students to succeed and thrive.

Big Sister!!

We are expecting a baby boy this spring; due date is May 3rd. Gracie excitedly tells people that she has never had a baby brother before; it's the first time! She likes to sing the baby songs. Sometimes they are about how to be nice to our dog Spike.

Grace enjoys preschool and is learning how to write her name. She loves to do art projects. I quit my job at Old Spaghetti Factory the beginning of this year and am enjoying more time with family. It is especially nice to have weekends and holidays off.

We have applied to join MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship).They are a non-profit organization that uses aviation to bring hope and help to isolated people around the world. This means that within the next year or two our family is planning to move to another country and work/live there long-term.  

Airplane Magneto Overhaul

The first step to join the organization is a two-week technical evaluation (TE). This will be in Nampa, ID on March 12th-24th. During this time, Joe will be evaluated on his skills as a pilot and mechanic. Please pray for Joe as it is a stressful process and he does not have a lot of time to prepare beforehand.

If MAF thinks our family will be a good fit for the organization, then the next steps would be as follows: 

• First is candidacy, which happens twice a year. The next one occurs in July. Over a five weeks, we would learn more about the places MAF serves and receive basic training to assimilate into the organization. 
• After successfully completing candidacy, we will be accepted to the organization and will be assigned to one of MAF's 15 bases in six countries in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, and Latin America. 
• Over the next 6-12 months, we will seek a group of partners to support us through prayer and financial donations, during which time we will continue to live in Portland, OR.
• After that we will spend a few more months of flight and cultural training at MAF headquarters in Nampa, ID.  
• Next we would move overseas for a year of language training. 
• Finally, we would move to our location of service at the MAF base. 

Some of Joe's students touring a B-17
that visited the airport

We chose to apply to MAF after about a year of prayer and discussion in our marriage.  We researched numerous mission aviation agencies extensively, even visiting their headquarters, and eventually settled on MAF due to its reputation, its member care policies, and its support of the family. We also like the opportunity to be involved in a organization that serves holistically, helping with both physical and spiritual needs. They do this by partnering with many different organizations that bring medicine and doctors, disaster relief, education, evangelists, Bible translators, food supplies, agricultural technology, clean water projects, and more. One of the things I like is that they are very supportive of the non-flying spouse and do not have a lot of requirements on my time. This gives me the flexibility to spend more time with our kids or even pursue other opportunities.

A lot of people ask how I feel about moving overseas on this crazy new adventure and I can honestly say that I am very excited. I know that there will be sacrifices and challenges; leaving family and starting over in a

Joe's flight student Jerry after Jerry's first solo

new language and culture are not going to be easy! 

I admit that I struggle with the word "missionary" as I sometimes think of it as someone who has it all figured out. Or worse, as someone who tries to impose his or her views on others. However, I have learned that it is more about using our gifts and passion to partner with God on His mission to restore hope, beauty, justice and freedom to this broken world. God has given us so much grace and many blessings and we want to share those with others; both where we live now in Portland and eventually somewhere else far away in the world. 

View from Joe's airplane on a recent
training flight in a Cessna 206

Last summer we got to travel to the Middle East and serve refugees impacted by the war in Syria. Before going, I wondered if my story and prayers would matter to those very different from me, people who had lost so much. It was amazing to see that when I shared from my heart, it translated the barriers of culture, language and background, because it is the same God who works in the same ways all over the world. Also, by serving alongside a local organization, I saw firsthand the tremendous difference made in lives through unconditional love and respect, building long-term relationships and meeting physical needs. This is something both Joe and I believe in and that is why we are pursuing this path. 

Thank you again for your prayers and support! It means a lot to us. Feel free to ask us any questions you may have. We would love to hear your thoughts!

Work, School and Rain

The passage of time and change of season are evident here in Portland where the rains have begun.  We have been pleasantly surprised, though, how warm it stays when it rains here. Back in Pullman, the rain is often quite cold; sometimes you just wish it would snow instead of rain. In Portland over the past few weeks, the rain and clouds have been burning off by early afternoon on most days, but the locals tell us that the days of gray darkness will soon come!

Bacon and Yogurt!

Since I last posted a lot has gone on in our lives.  Karen has been doing an amazing job and getting high accolades from her managers at the restaurant where she is a waitress.  She has gotten past the steep part of the learning curve and is feeling a rhythm in her work, resulting in a significant reduction in her stress level.  She is also receiving better shifts and really raking in the tips.  She's working 4-5 evenings a week from about 5-9.  While mom is at work, Grace and I hang out until it's time for her to go to bed.  I really enjoy spending more time with her than I did a few months ago.  We are working hard on her letters and she is able to identify several letters correctly now.  We also count the stairs as we walk up to or down from our apartment.  She is a really sweet and well-behaved kid; we have been blessed amazingly.

In the latter part of September I started the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Portland Community College. Classes run M-F from 7 am to noon.  Our apartment is less than 15 minute walk away, so I just walk back and forth to school each day.  The program is going well for me, and I am done with the first module already.  There are about 20 people in the cohort (class) and we all get along quite well, which is important since there are many group projects.  There is a substantial range in age and background among my fellow students, but most of them say, "I was always fascinated with airplanes (or helicopters) since I was a little kid."  Lots of kindred spirits! Two others in my cohort in the program are headed for missionary aviation, as well as several more in the upper cohorts.  Several of the instructors have been directly involved in mission aviation.

Weighing an aircraft with a team of students

Much of the program is hands-on work.  For example, several different teams in the class weighed an aircraft and then made a record of that weight as if it was an official record that would be used in actual service.  The program is well respected in the industry and does a great job of breaking up the massive amount of learning necessary to pass the FAA written and practical exams into bite-sized pieces.  So far I'm really enjoying the experience and I'm looking forward to each day.

During the first two weeks of classes, I was somewhat distracted by the fact that my oral/practical exam (also known as a checkride) to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) was impending and then ongoing.  The CFI checkride is one of the most challenging in aviation because the FAA wants to make sure that instructors who are teaching people to fly airplanes are qualified, knowledgeable, know how to teach and will teach proper procedures by both word and example.  This is understandable and I'm glad that the requirements are stringent, but it does make for a long and difficult trek to becoming a CFI.  Because of this, my primary activity outside of family for three months after moving to Portland was preparing for this exam through study, lesson plan creation and actual flying of aircraft as if teaching a student.  I received instruction to this end from Aero Maintenance Flight Center in Vancouver.  I can't say enough nice things about the people there and especially my primary instructor, Theresa. The course of instruction I received there not only prepared me to be a flight instructor but also improved my professionalism and knowledge base.    

Joe has been a flight instructor for five minutes

The FAA approved examiner assigned to my checkride is notable for having extensive checkrides, and mine was no exception.  Due to my school schedule, the examiner's schedule and a maintenance issue with an airplane, the checkride took place in three different sessions spread over eight days.  The total time of the examination was over 12 hours, of which the bulk was oral questioning, followed by about 2 hours of flying airplanes with the examiner.  On Saturday, October 4, the examiner signed off that I am a certified flight instructor. 

Once I had this certification I was qualified to apply for positions as a flight instructor.  I interviewed at at Hillsboro Aviation and just received word that I have been accepted to a position as a flight instructor.  The location and hours of this job are a perfect fit.   

In summary, it is both exciting and humbling to see how God has worked everything out for our family over the past few months as we follow His will for our lives.   We are also grateful and thankful for the prayers and support we receive from our family and friends.