GroundCrew Issue - April 2008 - Page Four
President's Pen - Dwight Jarboe
“Let me show you something.” Ray, my boss and service manager at a Beechcraft-affiliated Fixed Base Operation (FBO), was not happy one Monday morning in the spring of 1972. He led me straight to the shop where a V-tail Bonanza sat with its cowling open. He pointed to green aviation gasoline stains on the engine crankcase, and proceeded to inform me about his weekend.
I installed a newly overhauled engine in that plane the week before and the owner flew it that Saturday. About fifteen minutes after takeoff the fuel pressure dropped, so he turned on the auxiliary fuel boost pump. The fuel pressure increased, but the owner/pilot wisely landed at an airport thirty miles away and called the FBO where I worked. It appeared the engine-driven fuel pump failed and he asked that someone bring a new one and install it so he could fly home.
Ray was the only mechanic from our shop that could be reached that weekend, so he got a replacement pump and some tools and hit the road. He ultimately found that the pump was fine, but the fuel pressure indicator line was loose and let 100/130 Avgas spray over the top of the engine. Right along with the sudden formation of a knot in the pit of my stomach, I knew the reason the line had loosened on that short flight.
While the fellow who serviced planes on the flight line was at lunch, I would cover for him. Just as I installed the flexible hose portion of the fuel pressure line, the FBO’s owner announced on the intercom that a Learjet had landed—“Park him and sell him some fuel.” I hustled to the flight line without tightening the fuel line fitting with a wrench. The finger-tight line didn’t leak during pressure tests and the plane went into service with an undetected and potentially fatal flaw.
That Monday morning I saw, in an unforgettable way, that proper procedures and accountability are really good things. I also realized that God was gracious to keep my aircraft maintenance career from ending that weekend with a fiery crash. Thirty-six years later, I don’t remember Ray’s specific words, but those green Avgas stains still speak volumes.
Early this year MMS Aviation became a member organization of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). It’s always been our purpose to behave financially so as to please God and give you confidence in our money management. Now, with ECFA membership, there are specific standards we meet which increase our financial accountability.
A long time ago I learned that proper procedures and accountability are really good things. ECFA oversight will help MMS Aviation prepare people and planes for worldwide mission service with even greater transparency and integrity.
Prayer and Praise
Praise God
... for Ian Hengst and Scott Lazaros’ safe and successful Rapid Response trip to Florida.
... for Pete & Lindi Thayer coming to MMS as an intern family from Moody Aviation.
... for Scott & Jessica Grote joining MMS as career staff.
... for the sale of the restored Chipmunk airplane.
Please Pray
... for additional families to seek apprenticeship with MMS.
... for the Brazilian Embassy to quickly approve the Adelsberger’s visa application which will allow them to begin service with Asas de Socorro.
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