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

Course Information

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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

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!

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

Many are already there, assembling, testing, and lifting the parts into place.  Many more are traveling today from points all around the US and the world to be a part of this historic event for missionary aviation.

Stay tuned throughout the week as we update this site [and specifically this blog] with up to date photos, video, and podcasts from the event!

Blessings

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Kodiak Kids Program (KKP) is to provide an opportunity for local groups to be involved with missions through the raising of funds for mission aviation.

WHAT IT IS

The KKP enables groups, such as schools, churches, and businesses, to raise money for a mission aviation aircraft or project through a variety of creative means.  You and your group would interact with the mission aviation organization of your choice on a consistent basis.  This fosters a sense of ownership and personal connection.  In this way, you and your group can have a tangible role in helping fulfill the Great Commission through aviation.

The KKP is a service of IAMA, the International Association of Missionary Aviation (www.iamanet.org).  IAMA oversees the program and coordinates the initial contact between your group and the mission aviation organization you’d like to team up with.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Mission aviation organizations identify projects.
These projects could be for the purchase, maintenance, overhaul, or operation of an aircraft.  (Note: See the “requirements” section below.)
The program is open to all IAMA-member organizations and can include any airplane or helicopter type.

2. Mission organizations register their projects with IAMA, who will post them in a special section of the IAMA website.

3. Your group selects a project and then contacts the IAMA Kodiak Kids Program Coordinator.

4. The KKP Coordinator will put you in touch with the project contact person at the mission aviation organization.

5. The aviation ministry organization will provide information to help your group connect with the project.
Such connection could be in the form of videos, photos, email updates, or other materials.  Field trips to the organization could be arranged.  Visits to your group by missionaries could be planned.
Connection is a hallmark of the KKP.

6. Your group raises funds for the project in whatever creative ways it devises.

7.  Working with its organizational partner, the group will see the fulfillment of its fundraising efforts and follow the aircraft or project as it goes into action on the field.

BENEFITS

To IAMA-member organizations:

1. Funds are raised for aircraft or other aviation projects.

2. Public awareness is increased and public relations are enhanced.

3. Relationships with the participating groups/individuals are forged, potentially leading to future involvement, either on a personal or group level.

To your group (and the individuals comprising it):

1. Opportunities to be tangibly involved with mission aviation are readily available.

2. A sense of community and teamwork is fostered.

3. Individuals (particularly young people) can learn about missions and have their horizons expanded.

4. Relationships with the mission aviation organization are forged, potentially leading to future involvement, either on a personal or group level.

REQUIREMENTS

Mission aviation organizations must meet the following requirements to participate in the Kodiak Kids Program:

1. Participating mission aviation organizations must be members in good standing of IAMA.

2. Projects must be identified and sufficiently described, to include:

TITLE:

For example: Mauritania Caravan Refurbishment.

NATURE OF PROJECT AND WHAT IT ENTAILS:

For example: The refurbishment of a Cessna 208 Caravan for service in Mauritania, West Africa.  The cost of this project is $400,000 and will entail an engine and propeller overhaul, avionics upgrades, and the installation of a pod, safety seats, and utility interior.

HOW THE PROJECT WILL BENEFIT FIELD MINISTRY:

This is a descriptive paragraph explaining the “what, where, who, how, and why” of the project’s outcome.
For example: This Cessna 208 Caravan is being refurbished for service in Mauritania, West Africa, where it will transport community development specialists, health care workers, and national evangelists.  By providing safe, reliable transportation, XYZ Mission will be meeting the spiritual and physical needs of the isolated people of Mauritania.  (Note: This is a short version; longer would be desired.)

SPECIFIC MECHANISMS FOR KEEPING THE PARTICIPATING GROUP INFORMED AND INVOLVED (e.g . email updates, photos, videos, visits, etc):

This also includes information, photos, or video of the people whom the aircraft or project will serve.

HOW THE GROUP’S MONIES WILL BE RECEIPTED AND HANDLED

3. The name, email, and phone number if a person who will be the point of contact (POC) with which the KK group will interact.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Teena Ray, KKP Coordinator for IAMA.  iamachristian@rocketmail.com or call my cell: 863-738-6434.

Here is an example of the exceptional work by Jim Rendell. Click to enlarge.

For as long as he can remember, Jim has always loved airplanes! He grew up in northwest Nigeria where his parents were missionaries with SIM (Serving in Mission) for 35 years. Before he was even in grade school he was building model airplanes with his two older brothers. Their uncle who was back in the States owned a hobby shop and kept them supplied with model airplane kits to build and fly.

Growing up in a remote area meant that Jim and his siblings were 500 miles from the mission boarding school. Flying home in the small mission plane was always an exciting event! That early interest in aviation turned into a lifetime passion and he went on to train as a missionary pilot and mechanic at Moody Aviation in Elizabethton, TN. In 1973 he returned to Africa to fly for the SIM mission in Niger, the country just north of Nigeria.

Back in the mission boarding school Jim’s teachers noticed his talent for drawing and encouraged him to develop it. Later in high school Jim asked the pastor of his church what he thought about him going to art school or to flight school for mission aviation. His answer was, “Fly now while you are young and you can draw later when you’re old!” Jim took his advice and once he had the training went back to Africa. Over the years he’s enjoyed drawing as a hobby and when he learned about the Fly4Life theme for the Air Venture show at Oshkosh this year it afforded an opportunity to do something he had wanted to do for a long time. That was to draw a series of airplanes representing those used by mission aviation around the world. This IAMA 2010 Fly4Life calendar is the result.

Jim has a commercial pilot’s license with instrument and multi-engine ratings and an A&P mechanics license. He has been with SIM for 36 years and has 33 years and 10,000 hours of flying experience in West Africa. He is happily married to Sandy. They have three grown children, Jason, Crystal, and Scott with daughter-in-law Stephanie.

Click on the link below to visit the SIM On-line Bookstore and order yours today (Note: scroll to the bottom of the store page):

_________________________________

Jim is an AOPA and EAA member and can be

contacted at jim.rendel@sim.org.

Based on a personal trip to the jungles of Southeast Asia and private interviews with the pilots and technicians of JAARS, this book tells it like it is, taking the reader inside the cockpit and into harms way with men and women of deep faith and profound commitment to service through professional excellence.

JUNGLE FLIGHT was written to motivate future mission aviators and technicians and to inspire the “senders” who support mission aviation.

The book is a great gift for your flight school students, supporting churches and anyone else interested in mission aviation.

David Reeves, President of JAARS says, “I could write pages about the accuracy of the stories. I recommend it!”

This book is available at  Amazon.com or   Xulonpress.com. 

Contact the author at daneskelton@hotmail.com.

Nine hundred guests joined MAF in dedicating its first KODIAK aircraft at its headquarters in Nampa, Idaho May 2. The cutting-edge missionary plane will be deployed in Papua, Indonesia. (Click to enlarge)

NAMPA, Idaho – MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) inaugurated a new era in missionary aviation when it dedicated its first KODIAK aircraft on May 2 at its headquarters here.

MAF is a faith-based, nonprofit ministry that serves missions and isolated people around the world with aviation, communications and learning technologies. The new KODIAK is the first of the next-generation bush planes to be produced under a visionary arrangement between MAF and the manufacturer, Quest Aircraft Co. of Sandpoint, Idaho.

This first KODIAK will be deployed in Papua, Indonesia.

A crowd of MAF staff, Christian leaders and Nampa residents participated in the dedication ceremony, as well as an afternoon of activities.

“Today’s events celebrate a technological achievement that will allow MAF to be more effective stewards of the resources God has given us,” said John Boyd, president of MAF. “But this new KODIAK is more than an example of leading-edge technology. It is an example of what God’s people can do when they pursue God’s will in God’s way. The unprecedented cooperation between missionary organizations that made this day possible is a model for 21st century missionary efforts. It is both exciting and humbling to be in the midst of a project that God has blessed so abundantly.”

Paul Schaller, chief executive officer of Quest Aircraft Co., told the crowd, “Serving the needs of the missionary community and those they help is the purpose for which Quest was built. It is gratifying to see it come to fruition with this first delivery to MAF.”

Among local leaders participating in the dedication ceremony were Tom Dale, the mayor of Nampa, and Montie Ralston, lead pastor of Boise Valley Christian Communion and a member of the MAF board of directors.

The dedication ceremony marks a milestone in missionary aviation in part because the KODIAK will be significantly less expensive to operate than the planes it will replace in the MAF fleet. Most MAF planes, including the popular Cessna 206, run on aviation gasoline, or “avgas,” which is scarce and expensive in many of the remote areas where MAF operates. However, the KODIAK is powered by jet fuel, which is more plentiful and much less expensive than avgas.

Over the next few years, MAF will replace 20 of its Cessna 206s with planes that operate on jet fuel, either KODIAKs or Cessna Caravans. Because the KODIAK can carry nearly twice the cargo of the C206, MAF will transport medicine, food and disaster relief supplies much more efficiently, reducing operating costs.

Founded in the United States in 1945, MAF (HYPERLINK “http://www.maf.org”www.maf.org) missionary teams of aviation, communications, technology and education specialists overcome barriers in remote areas, transform lives and build God’s Kingdom by enabling the work of more than 1,000 organizations in isolated regions around the world. With its fleet of 130 bush aircraft, MAF serves in 55 countries, with an average of 242 flights daily across Africa, Asia, Eurasia and Latin America. MAF pilots transport missionaries, medical personnel, medicines and relief supplies, as well as conduct thousands of emergency medical evacuations. MAF also provides telecommunications services, such as satellite Internet access, high frequency radios, electronic mail and other wireless systems.

Click here to view the embedded video.