First of all, yes, I did pass my oral and practical tests last week. On Thursday at about 2:30 pm I officially became a certificated FAA Mechanic with my Airframe and Powerplant ratings! This is the culmination of two and half years of working towards the 4,800 hours of experience needed to take the tests. During this time I worked on the following aircraft and engines: Acrosport; Aerostar 601P; Airbus AS350-B2; American Champion 8GCBC; Barrows Bearhawk; Beechcraft models 200, BE77; Cessna models 172, 182, 206, 210; GippsAero GA8 Airvan; Maule 5; Mooney 231; Pilatus PC6; Piper models PA23, PA24, PA32, PA 46; Taylorcraft BL-65; Continental 0-520, IO-520, TSIO-520, IO-550; Lycoming O-360, O-540, IO-540; Pratt & Whitney PT6.
A challenging but very enjoyable experience.
The cool thing is that those aircraft and engines represent a tool that we repaired and pout back into the hands of a missionary who needs it to do their job. It wasn't just a classroom project, it was a life changing tool doing work in the real world. I wasn't just going to school, I was serving mission worldwide while I learned. Cool!
Obviously our family couldn't have done this without all our supporters out there who have prayed for us and financially given to us. We are grateful. We never would have became qualified to serve at Samaritan Aviation if it wasn't for our experience at MMS Aviation. We had a lot of of people investing their finances in a self-doubting wanna-be mechanic who had no aviation background whatsoever. It really is amazing we ever raised enough support to do this. Thank God! We're grateful for all the great people at MMS for their patience and direction as well.
