River Racers

It's not only our MAF team that tries to have a fun time every Friday afternoon.  Instead of racing their Hot Rod cars, often the local teen boys are seen racing their small boats.

These boats do move along at a pretty good clip, especially considering they are powered by lawn mower type engines.

None of these boats have mufflers on their engines.  I'm surprised anyone can hear after spending a little bit of time in one of these boats.

The New Guys

When I came to work one morning, two of our local employees were all dressed up like pilots.  They were goofing around and had showed up to work dressed like this just to get a laugh.  It's great to work with a bunch of people that know "laughter is medicine to the bones."

From the Logbook...Sungai Pinang

I had the privilege a few weeks ago to take a few Australian and English ladies into a small community called Sungai Pinang in order to perform health clinics as well as host small church services.  I dropped them off and then a few days later picked them back up.  Fun times.

From the Logbook...Muara Mamuat

While visiting a new-to-me-village a while back while giving some flight instruction in the village of Muara Mamuat, I snapped a quick photo through the window.  The landscapes I see on a daily basis sometimes hit me really hard and remind me that I am in the middle of Borneo, nothing like my desert-Southwest American homeland.  I'm very blessed!

From the Logbook...Becca Ride Along

Last month I was FINALLY able to take my best friend with me flying.  While sitting at home due to an Indonesian national holiday, I received a call to pick up a patient an hour away.  It was a perfect opportunity to bring Rebecca with me...finally!  She had never ridden with me in a float plane before that day.

After waiting more than two years, the stars finally aligned and made it possible for Rebecca to come with me.  It was an unforgettable flight for both of us and a great opportunity to serve someone that really needed some help.

River Rodeo

In order to celebrate my birthday last month we decided to have a tubing party after work on a Friday.  What a great time thrashing everyone on the inter-tube. Ogasto hung on well.  He only got "bucked off" once.

Robi rode backwards the whole time.  Despite our best attempts, he never did get bucked off.  

Our office manager Agus didn't last too long.  But kudos to him for giving it a try.  This was something new to everyone, and there was a little bit of fear and trepidation had by all.

Our night guard Yanto squealed with delight the whole time. He was hanging on for dear life.  Awesome!

Yanto squealing.  

Yanto STILL squealing.!

Hanging loose, Borneo river style.

Abet Nego rode the tube the most aggressively...

...and then paid for it quickly by getting bucked off.  Awesome!

Most everyone stayed on, but a few times they hit the waves just right and over they went.  So awesome!

Sugianto, our flight scheduler, tore it up also.  This calm, quiet man is not to be underestimated!

...but, he did get buckled off.  Hoo Raa!

...oh yeah!

We rode the tube until the sun went down.  Playing together with our team is so fun and beneficial and something we try to make happen every month or so.

Hoffmann Solo

In mid-April we were able to watch the third member of our PalangkaRaya team return from his first solo flight as an MAF pilot.  After three months of on and off flight training with me, Aaron was finally ready.

After Aaron returned I "pinned on his bars."  Officially putting the 4 stripes on his shoulders welcomes Aaron into the ranks of Captain.  Pretty cool!

With those 4 bars comes some other fun traditions.  After shaking Aaron's hand, a preset plan was initiated...Aaron's floatplane baptism.

My celebratory handshake quickly turned into a full on assault as our Indonesian staff and I scooped him up and took him to the river.

Thankfully, we work with an amazing group of men, and they were all instrumental in helping Aaron reach this milestone as well.  Convincing them to help was easy.

We took Aaron to our small launching dock, normally used to dispatch the airplane...this time we had other intentions.

And just like that, Aaron entered the Kahayan River, full water emersion float plane pilot baptism.  Welcome to the club Aaron.

He popped up and floated to our other dock, where all of these pictures were taken by our other pilot, Isaac Rogers.  Great pics Isaac!

Aaron's baptism and solo represent YEARS of preparation and training to reach this point for him.  It's a huge sacrifice to fly in the mission field and it's not always easy.  Congrats Aaron!!!

Afterwards, everyone was feeling a little spunky and thought they would try to throw the boss in the river.  I'm happy to report that I remained dry.  Guess you'll have to try again some other day little boys!