GroundCrew Issue - April 2008 - Page One

Restoration Efforts Continue on MAF-Chad’s Cessna 206

Tossed into another airplane by unexpectedly high winds while undergoing maintenance at an African airfield, this MAF 206 arrived at MMS in June of 2007. Disassembled, heavily damaged, with the engine partially overhauled and open to the elements, it was unloaded looking more like a 1000 piece puzzle in boxes and bags than a real airplane.

June, 2007: the damaged MAF 206 arrives from Chad, Africa.

Over the past ten months, Team Coates has made substantial progress toward completion of the restoration process. Yet there is still much work to be done in rewiring the control panel, replacing the interior, finishing repairs on the various control surfaces, and installing tip-tanks on the wings for increased fuel capacity.

(Left) The repaired tail cone is attached. (Right) Chase Ketcham works on the fuselage.

Because of MMS, this airplane will soon be restored and returned to mission service, free from MMS labor expense, for only the cost of parts and materials, and external vendor fees. At the same time, the apprentice mechanics working on the aircraft have gained hundreds of hours of excellent maintenance experience toward their own ultimate service beyond the MMS hangar doors. It’s a privilege to help move the Gospel forward through the ministry of preparing of people and planes.

(Left) Shawn Bupp makes repairs to the tail cone. (Center) Dale Coates test-fits the rear window retainer over the rear cabin window.
(Right) Scott Lazaros bucks rivets inside the 206 tail cone.

Thank you for being part of this ministry through your faithful gifts and your prayers.

(Left) Dale and Ian Hengst secure the rear window retainer in place.
(right) Dale demonstrates proper aircraft painting techniques for Gertjan Kamphorst and Pete Thayer.

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