To date, IAMA has collected all the fees for participation and has purchased exhibit the space. 26 Mission Aviation Agencies have registered and will be part of the exhibit tent with JAARS and MAF anchoring each end. Praise the Lord, we have the same location as last year. Jeff & Wonita Werley, New Tribes, will be managing the IAMA exhibit tent. The Fly4Life presence continues much like it did last year, but without the separate Fly4Life tent.

In order to pull off this massive event, IAMA, and all the participants, depend on the generous and extensive work of MASA (Mission Aviation Support Association) . MASA is lead by a governing board with Lee Smoll serving as Executive Director. Leadership teams have been assembled to care for those attending this event.

MASA provides 3 meals a day at the hospitality tent in Camp Scholler on the EAA grounds. They provide housing in area homes as well as loaner vehicles. They pick up and deliver from airports. For over 30 years MASA has made it possible for Mission Aviators to attend EAA. The cost would be prohibitive without their help.

More than just Oshkosh, MASA is also managing the IAMA store. If you have need of any tee-shirts, polo’s, caps, etc…you can contact leesmoll@tds.net to order them. These items will be available at EAA

First of all, the portal is not an original IAMA concept.  It is the result of a partnership between Wycliffe Bible Translators, IAMA, and Finishers.org.  Primarily the brain-child of people like Jamie Farr (Wycliffe) and Nelson Malwitz (Finishers), IAMA comes in to be the host and caretaker of the project.

So what exactly is a portal and what does it have to do with mission aviation? First of all, step with me into the world of recruiting – that industry that feeds us the most valuable resource we have; people.  At its most elementary level, the Mission Aviation Portal is an on-line tool that will make a meaningful connection between recruiters from mission organizations and potential candidates.  It is a one-stop shopping site for both the recruiter as well as the candidate.  At a deeper level it is a hi-tek search and matching engine that automatically matches a candidate’s profile / resume with all available openings in mission aviation – pilot/mechanic, AMT Specialist, administrator, etc. – based on the candidate’s criteria.

At an even deeper level it is very much a ‘Facebook’ for mission aviation.  And anyone that has tried to make meaningful contact with anyone of the younger generation over the last 5 years knows, that’s where you find them: On-line social environments.  The portal will allow both public and private messaging that is logged for referencing years later.  That’s important for a recruitment process that often takes  5 or 6 years.  For the recruiter, it is one place where he can keep all relevant information about the organization, upcoming events, membership requirements and processes.  He too can perform searches that seek candidates that match his criteria.

Will it work? Fortunately the concept has already been proven.  MissionTeach.org, also developed by Wycliffe and Finishers, is the proof-of-concept.  This portal has already been filling teaching positions for years, at a rate near 10 times faster than before, and saving the organizations thousands of recruitment dollars.  The Mission Aviation Portal is one of several more ‘industry-specific’ portals that are being developed to help meet this need in missions.

But the benefits don’t stop there.  Using this same technology and platform, IAMA will have the ability to better serve mission aviation by also connecting schools, vendors, donors, pilots and anyone else who wishes to be involved.

When will we see it? IAMA hopes to go live with the portal this fall.  Start visiting the IAMA website (www.iamanet.org) this summer as bits and pieces of the portal start appearing.  For those interested tecky-types, the technology for this tool is being provided by WM Tek, using a platform they created called Site Stacker.  You can check them out at www.wmtek.com.

David Doss presents compelling reasons for us to boost our security training.

Fort Sherman Academy (FSA) was present at the 2010 IAMA conference this year to provide hostage survival and security training.  For those who participated, it was a said to be a powerful event and highly recommended for anyone planning on spending any length of time traveling oversees in potentially hostile environments.    David Dose then gave a 45-minute presentation to the rest of the attendees .  Having lived oversees myself, I fully recommend the high impact quality training being offered by FSA.

Consider a few statistics:

• 2009 there were 3,000,000 short-term ‘missionaries’, and 20% of them had some sort of crisis.
• Annual increase in crime against Westerners increases roughly15% each year.
• In the event of a kidnapping or detention situation, an organization can plan on spending $50,000 – $100,000.  Can your ministry afford that?

Visit www.fortsherman.org for more information.

Each organization will have their own particular requirements when it comes to flight experience and ratings.  A rough average is currently 500 hours total time with commercial instrument license.  Most organizations still require an A& P as well.

There are variations and exceptions, so check them out individually on our Members Page.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes

Beyond that, organizations will generally be looking for the following KSA’s (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes)

All skills and attitudes are applicable to flight and maintenance;
flight-specific items are marked with an asterisk (*).

KNOWLEDGE

1. General aviation knowledge (flight). Including, but not limited to: 14 CFR Part 91, airspace, aircraft POH, weather, aerodynamics, weight and balance, aircraft systems, navigation, operations at uncontrolled airfields, etc.
2. General maintenance knowledge (maintenance). Including, but not limited to: knowledge and use of tools, knowledge and use of available resources such as AC-43, service bulletins, parts and overhaul manuals. In addition, a close look is taken at the applicant’s inspection and  troubleshooting procedures, skills, etc.

Skills

1. Aircraft handling.* VFR and IFR; at various speeds and in various configurations.
2. Navigation.* Most notably, VFR, DR and pilotage navigation skills.
3. Aeronautical decision making. Makes correct decisions in an appropriate manner and timely fashion.
4. Judgment. Appropriately compares and evaluates courses of action.
5. Aptitude for learning. Has the ability to learn new skills and information.
6. Situational awareness. Accurately perceives what is happening with oneself, the aircraft (during flight or maintenance) and the environment, in the short-term past, present and near future.
7. Integration. Appropriately integrates and applies knowledge, skills and experience. Commonly referred to as adaptability when applying past aeronautical experience to a new situation.
8. Performance under pressure. Carries out activities appropriately when under pressure or stress.
9. Resource management. Uses resources effectively to accomplish tasks.
10. Task management. Prioritizes and accomplishes multiple tasks in a timely manner. Commonly referred to as multitasking.
11. Functions within limitations. Recognizes personal and organizational limitations, establishes appropriate margins and consistently functions within those margins.
12. Risk management. Appropriately recognizes, evaluates and mitigates risk.
13. Self assessment. Accurately assesses one’s own skills and performance.
14. Planning. Makes and adapts plans, including for contingencies.
15. Adaptable. Is able to change activities in response to changing circumstances.
16. Interpersonal skills. Relates to all people appropriately.

Attitudes

1. Hazardous attitudes. Does not exhibit attitudes that lead to dangerous behavior.
2. Safety-conscious. Places a high value on safety.
3. Conservative. Exercises moderation and/or caution when making decisions.
4. Professional. Is thorough, responsible, reliable and conscientious; maintains high standards.
5. Self-controlled. Exercises restraint over one’s actions and desires. Adheres to standards, procedures and regulations.
6. Integrity. Does what is right, even when alone.
7. PIC Mentality.* Is in command of all aspects of flight.
8. Teachable. Is willing to be taught.
9. Inquisitive. Has a desire to learn.
10. Initiative. Looks for what needs to be done and does it.
11. Self-confidence. Has the appropriate level of confidence in one’s knowledge and abilities.

* Items noted with an asterisk relate to pilot-specific attributes.  All others apply to both pilots and mechanics.

Course Information

.

Download Application

Download Schedule

Survival Training Extraordinaire

This is as good as it gets, folks.  Every once in awhile, a special offer comes along that simply can’t be ignored, and that’s what we have here.  Thanks to a cooperative effort between MSI, Moody Aviation, and especially a dedicated team of instructors from Emergency Response International (ERI), some top-notch survival training is being made available to the mission aviation community at an incredibly low price.  Trust me, these ERI guys are good.  They train many of the world’s best—be it military, special ops, industry executives, or the like—and now they are using their talents to serve the mission aviation world.

The initial training session will be held June 14-18, 2010 at the Moody Aviation facilities at Felts Field in Spokane, WA.  By design, this training will be broad spectrum, covering a wide variety of topics and environments.  Class size is limited and priority will be given to Safety and Training staff who can multiply the effectiveness of this course by incorporating what they learn into their own organizational training.

The training is being provided at cost with those costs being divided equally among participants.  Estimated costs per person for the week are between $250-300.

Course Detail

This is a pilot program specifically designed for mission aviation aircrews that operate in some of the most remote regions of the world.  It is presented by Emergency Response International (ERI) in cooperation with Mission Safety International and Moody Aviation.

The course will be held 14 – 18 June 2010 at Moody Aviation, 6719 East Rudder Ave, Spokane, Washington 99212.  Classes begin at Moody at 0800 on Monday, 14 June and will conclude by 1700 on Friday, 18 June.  Contact information is included at the end of this list.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to Spokane, all meals and lodging, and transportation to and from the field training.  Car pooling is recommended.

Training will consist of classroom discussions, field activities including an overnight bivouac, and water training in a swimming pool using the Shallow Water Egress Trainer (SWET).  During field students will construct their own shelters and will spend the night in them.  Certain materials will be provided to assist with shelter construction.  A  Survival Handbook will be provided and will be used as the course text, along with numerous handouts.

The following list of clothing and equipment will be needed for the various labs and the field portion of the survival course, adjusted as needed for weather and environment.  However, we do not recommend that you buy a lot of new gear for this training.  This is an opportunity to try out what you have and to find out what really works and what does not.

Pool Lab

Swim suit and tee shirt are acceptable. Old tennis, beach shoes or dive booties recommended. No leather shoes, boots or belts. Bring a towel and dry clothes to change into after the exercise.

Field Training

The field training will be conducted in a wooded area within an hour’s drive of Spokane.  Weather is typically warm and dry with a chance of thunderstorms.  The nights may be cool.

Student Clothing and Equipment List

Pack: Large enough for the items on the equipment list.  A water proof cover, such as a large trash bag, is recommended.

Clothing:  For 1 day and 1 night of field training, suitable for the terrain and anticipated weather conditions

Boots: Suitable for the terrain and anticipated weather conditions

Gloves: Leather recommended for shelter construction and other tasks

Water proof shell layer: Includes jacket with hood and pants, either Gore-tex or coated material.

Head protection: A hat with a brim for sun/rain protection.  A large bandana to augment sun and wind protection is recommended and a stocking cap may be appropriate for cool nights…

Personal survival kit: Bring any items that you might normally carry for outdoor activities.  This is a good opportunity to try out clothing and equipment

Sunscreen and Chap Stick: Essential!

Sun glasses: Wrap-around for maximum sun protection are recommended.

Base-plate type compass: Basic orienteering style compass such as a Brunton or a Silva.   Lensatic compass acceptable but not recommended.

Multi-tool: Gerber, Leatherman, etc

Headlamp and Flashlight: A headlamp for working at night is recommended along with a backup flashlight and extra batteries.

Canteen, water bottle, Camelback, or other water container:

Cup: Metal cup that can be heated over a fire recommended.

550 Line: Also known as parachute cord or para cord, 7-strand, minimum of 50’

Signal Mirror: Glass with aim hole recommended

Whistle: Plastic, not metal

Fixed-blade knife: Durable full-shank utility knife for general use and wood splitting.

Saw: Utility saw such as the Pocket Chain Saw or Gerber or Buck folding saw

Food: Enough for 3 meals (1 day and 1 night) in the field.  MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) recommended, or other high carbohydrate foods

Sleeping Bag: A light-weight bag or a bivouac sack should be sufficient.

Sleeping Pad: A closed-cell foam pad or a self-inflating pad such as a Therm-a-Rest recommended.

Applications and course coordination

Stephen Quigg, Mission Safety International
Phone:  717.284.4788

Download Application

Email:  CaptainQuigg@netzero.net

Questions about schedules, activities and equipment

Download Schedule

Ralph Wilfong, Director of Operations, Emergency Response International
Office:  509.443.1377
Cell:  509.993.0092
Email:  emtspec@comcast.net
Web Site:  www.eri-online.com

Questions about Moody and the Spokane area

Allison Pfening, Moody Aviation
Office:  509.535.4051 Ext 256
Email:  Allison.Pfening@moody.edu

Download Application

Please contact Gordon Hanna if you have any information.
gordon@hannalink.net

Date: 6 August, 2001
Jack Sluiter

Ya’ know, it started out like any other day. Up at 5:00 am to get the airplane ready and off the water by 7:30. Everything was going as planned and nothing was going to set this day apart as anything strange or unusual. That was until I called in to our home base at noon. I was sitting in a little jungle village (five or six houses) eating my lunch while I waited for passengers. They were coming by canoe from someplace unknown and would maybe be another hour before they arrived.

So I called Lisa on the radio to update what was happening. When I contacted her, the flight coordinator advised me that there was a medical emergency in Atsakus, another small jungle village (as if there was anything other than small jungle villages around). It happened that there was a women who had been in labor for three days and still had not given birth. They needed to get her to a hospital today or she may not live through the night. Since Atsakus was a river village without a runway, and I was sitting in the only float plane flying in Peru, it dawned on me that I might have to change my schedule.

Upon arriving at Atsakus I found our sick passenger in a large canoe being attended by several people. As they pulled the canoe along side the plane, I removed two of the seats so she could lie down. She was still in labor as she was making her way from the canoe to the airplane. Mind you this was her third day of labor. I said a prayer, asking the Lord to have mercy on this woman and to save her life and the life of the baby. I have to say that in all my schooling, I was not prepared for this day.

After giving an abbreviated briefing (“Here’s your seatbelts, here’s the door, I’ll be up front”) we pushed off for our trip back to Pucallpa. I stayed as low as practical weighing the pros and cons between passenger comfort and keeping enough altitude between me and the expanse of endless jungle below me. Before I picked them up, my boss had given me directions on what to do if my passenger died during flight. He didn’t prepare me for what came next.

SAMAIR: We Deliver

We were passing Yurimaguas, (Not a small jungle village) when the husband got my attention and said, “She’s giving birth. Now!” My first reaction was, well, she’s been giving birth for the last three days, what’s new? He convinced me they were serious so I called the tower at Yurimaguas and advised them I had a medical emergency and would be landing at their river port. The next time I looked back I could tell we probably wouldn’t make it. I started talking to my boss via the radio and getting as much advise as possible – like he could really help. Sixty seconds later I looked back to see a little blue-faced baby passenger lying on the floor. The mother had a very refreshed appearance to her and the baby looked as healthy as any newborn does. I called the tower and canceled the landing and continued the flight to Pucallpa where she would be cared for at the hospital. “Just another day at work”, I thought as I shook my head and resumed my course.

When we landed at Cashibo there were plenty of people on shore to watch us come in and to greet the new baby. When I went back to help my passengers out of the back of the plane, they asked me if I could cut the umbilical cord. Well of course, what do you think I carry a Leatherman for? . . . snip!.

I went back to Atsakus several times since then and tried to keep up with little Jack Duane Hempts Remierez. I would love to get back there some time and see how he and his family are doing. Every now and then I get updates from other pilots who have recently stopped by. So far it sounds like he is doing great!

IAMA is front and center just off AeroShell Square in a 30′ by 40′ tent sharing the stories of missionary aviation around the world to the hundreds of thousand of people visiting the EAA Airventure 2009 this year.

Representatives from most of the nearly 100 IAMA member organizations ar eon hand to explain the history and ministry of the pilots and planes of missionary aviaiton around the world today.

We will be posting video profiles of many of the IAMA participants that will posted as part of our Missionary Aviation Podcast series as well (available on this site and on iTunes).

If you get a chance come by this week and visit us!

Sandy

Nard Pugyao, former JAARS pilot. His ancestors in the Philippines were cannibals.

“That’s my village.”  Meet Nard Pugyao, JAARS pilot.

Nard used to be from a family of cannibals  from the jungles of the Philippines.

In the 1950’s a Wycliffe Bible Translator came to his village called Dibagat in the highlands of the Philippines, home of his people the Isnag.

The man took notice of Nard and eventually helped him attend school in Manilla and later the US where he attended both LeTourneau University and Moody Bible Institute.

Eventually Nard joined JAARS as a pilot/mechanic and was assigned to the Philippines.  The truly amazing full-circle to his story is completed when he was allowed to fly the Helio in carrying first copies of the New Testament in his own tribal language to Dibagat.

Later Nard came to the US and worked at Moody Aviation as a flight instructor.  It was my privilege as a student at Moody Aviation to have Nard as my first flight instructor, earning my Private Pilots License under his watchful eye.  Later Nard would be recognized by receiving the Alumni of the Year award from Moody Bible Institute.

Given this background it is no wonder his story was chosen as one of the story highlights in the Fly4Life tent where Mission Aviation was featured.

If you make it to EAA AirVenture 2009 this year, be sure and look him up.

Sandy

Thank you MASA and local Oshkosh area churches for your hospitality in providing all of our meals this week....meals for 400 EACH DAY! Wow!

A great day starts with a great breakfast at EAA Airventure 2009!

Thank you MASA (Mission Aviation Support Association) for you hospitality.  Without you the mission community presence at the EAA Airventure 2009 in Oshkosh would be difficult to say the least.

Our days always start at the MASA tent (just behind hangar D in the camping area) with smiling faces and marvelous breakfast food.  Local churches in the area combine their efforts and cater our meals.  Because of thehuge niumber of aviatiors this year, we have three churches catering each meal in combination.  That is teamwork!

Today I met up with my first flight instrictor from Moody Aviaiton, Nard Pugyao.  Nard was a liot for many years with JAARS.

Next stop and next post will be from the Fly4Life tent.  Stay tuned!

Sandy