Homeward Bound

Mt. Hood, Oregon, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After three weeks of drinking from a fire hose in the name of training, I am on my way home to Colorado. My girls should be en-route to pick me up at KABQ in a few hours. We aren't driving straight home however. We have one more church to share at during this "tour" of deputation. We are driving straight to Pagosa Springs from KABQ and then home tomorrow afternoon when church is over. Our next three weeks is sure to get crazy, so we would appreciate your prayers as we prepare to leave for Indonesia in July.

Show and Tell

Pratt and Whitney PT6A-27 Engine Cutaway, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

One of the great things I have enjoyed about my recent training are the numerous parts and cutaways they have to show us as they explain the intricacies of turbine power. For you techie/geeky people out there, I thought you would like this cutaway of a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-27 engine. This is the same engine used in some Beechcraft Kingairs and the DeHaviland Twin Otter. It even has a switch on the side to motorize all of the parts so you can really get a good idea of how everything moves in relation to it's neighbors. This is a very good tool for a visual learner like me.

One of a Kind

Boeing 40, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

This afternoon we had the pleasure of hearing a unique sound...a Pratt and Whitney Wasp engine bolted onto the front of a Boeing 40, the only one of it's kind flying in the world today. It was neat to imagine the things this airplane has seen since it was made in the 1920's, and the countless stories it's pilot's could tell. The aircraft is based at the same airport that I am training at, Felts Field, WA. Last month, it had the opportunity to fly alongside the new Boeing 787 for a photo shoot. The pictures can be found online.

Father's Day

Father's Day BBQ, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Yesterday for Father's Day I was invited to nearby Coeur d'Alene, ID. to spend the day with family. Rebecca's Great Uncle and family live there, and they extended the invitation to me to spend Father's Day with them. They treated me like royalty and showed me all around the beautiful area they call home. Northern Idaho is stunningly beautiful and they pulled out the stops to show it to me.  Although I didn't get to see my girls for this Father's Day, this will nonetheless be a Father's Day to remember.  Thanks guys!!!

A Break from the Classroom

Air Soft Game, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.
 

This morning I was invited to do something I had never done before...play airsoft. It was a great time "safely" shooting at each other in a number of various games. I thought our picture was pretty funny though. We look like a bunch of rednecks getting ready to shoot up the woods, and anything that would cross our path. I only came home with minor bumps and marks. However, some of the other guys had some pretty good marks on their necks and arms.  They should have stayed out of my sights!

Field Trip

Quest Aircraft Co. Factory, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Today we took the afternoon and traveled to Sandpoint, Idaho to visit the Quest Aircraft Company factory. We had planned on doing this field trip tomorrow but due to poor weather in the Pacific Northwest we were not able to get our turbine test cell outside. So we bumped our field trip up a day and postponed our outside noise making until tomorrow.

It was fascinating to be able to tour this aircraft factory. The process of taking an aircraft from concept to flight is mind boggling, and the smart people that make it happen are amazing. Some of the tooling and manufacturing processes that were happening in the factory were very neat to see. It was interesting to see where all the aircraft materials are delivered at one end of the factory, and roughly the distance of a football field later finished aircraft are rolling out of the door from the opposite end.

The New Guy (airplane)

Kalimantan Quest Kodiak, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

What does every isolated jungle village need? A red and white MAF airplane and lots of mutt dogs of course. The aircraft in the back is one of the reasons I am going through training in Spokane, WA. This photo was taken on the island of Kalimantan, Indonesia; our future home. Take a peak at this blog to read about the pilot who took this picture.

I can't say for sure if and/or when I will be flying this aircraft, but I will no doubt be helping to maintain it and others similar to it. While my brain has been overloaded with great information and training since last week, I can already see the value of this in-depth maintenance training and how it will come in to play when we arrive in Kalimantan.

Hands on Training

Turbine Engine Training Cell, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After a hard week of learning the ins and outs of a PT6A engine, we were able to get out the training engine today and make a bunch of noise. This test cell is the same engine used on a Cessna Caravan. I will be operating this engine numerous times over the next few days to learn proper starting techniques, engine adjustments and diagnostics. It was pretty thrilling to start this big turbine today and smell the jet fuel burning and feel the thrust tugging at the chains anchoring the test cell to the ground. If these engines are not operated and started correctly they like to throw pieces of molten metal out of their sides and in turn bring the airplanes down that they are attached to. Thankfully, when they are treated with care and respect they are some of the most reliable engines in the world.

Airport Exploring

Helio Courier on Floats, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After class today, I set out with a classmate to find the Felts Field water-port. It is illegal to land a float plane on public water in Colorado (I think) so you don't see float planes very often. After a little searching we found the nearby section of the Spokane River that is used by the local float plane fleet. It was very beautiful.

I have one more day of class going over the current curriculum of intense turbine engine know how. I have Sunday "off" and I'm looking forward to it. I am extremely grateful for this training but there is only so much a brain (at least mine) can take before it needs a rest.  Then on Monday I'll return for 2 more weeks of class. 

Training

Northern New Mexico, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

They say that a good pilot never stops learning...the same can be said for a mechanic as well. Despite the picture above of the Southwest from our nice weekend trip, I am in Spokane, WA now undergoing some maintenance training for turbine aircraft. Although we are just scratching the surface so far it is very interesting and informative.

Oswald Chambers had a good word today. "If you do not cut the moorings, God will have to break them by a storm and send you out. Launch all on God, go out on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and you will get your eyes open...Beware of harking back to what you were once when God wants you to be something you have never been."

Flower Pickers

Picking Wild Irises, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Late yesterday evening, I took my two oldest curtain climbers with me on the four wheeler to go see how a pasture full of wild irises was blooming. Turned out that they were blooming fairly well, however there are a few less blooms this morning as both of my girls returned home with handfuls of flowers for mommy. I tried to get some pics of Brooklyn, but she is so engrossed with dancing and being in fairylandia I cannot get a good shot of her while she is still. Maddie was a little more mesmerized by the flowers and the beautiful evening scene.

Per Request

Denver Zoo, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Before I am ousted out of the family for not sharing any recent pictures, here is one from our recent trip last weekend to the Denver Zoo. We had a great time and came home exhausted. There are more pictures from our recent days on my Flickr site.

This morning we are making a quick trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park with the goal of being back home for lunch. We still have plenty to get done in the next two days before I head off to Spokane, WA for three weeks to attend some training at Spokane Turbine Center.

Please keep upholding the visa process to Indonesia with us. We haven't heard any recent news and therefore do not know if any progress has been made yet.