The JAARS Fleet

Alert reader DH asked, "What kind of aircraft do they have there?"  So here's the scoop.

This is a Pilatus Porter PC-6.  The Porter is one of the new stars in the JAARS fleet. For logistical and financial reasons JAARS is switching from piston driven aircraft to turboprops, such as these and the Quest Kodiak. This is quite a switch from what I used to work with.  These JAARS aircraft would have been carried inside the C-5s! But it's the right tool for the job of supporting super remote outposts.

Here is the stalwart Helio Courier.  It is one of the piston aircraft that is being phased out (as money is available to buy new aircraft.) For a small aircraft it had some impressive technology that gives it great short field capability.  (If you look closely you may see its extended leading edge slats, which allow it to fly extremely slowly and land on a dime.)  Unfortunately, AvGas for piston aircraft is running upwards of $12 a gallon overseas. It is cheaper for JAARS to ship AvGas in 55 gallon drums from the U.S. to Africa, than to buy it there. Not good.  (The tail of the Piluts Porter is on the right.)

Most of JAARS' Cessna 206s are not in this shape. This is actually a new purchase of a used aircraft.  It is undergoing extensive corrosion control work, addition of JAARS designed passenger and pilot seats, new control panel, as well as engine and landing gear overhaul.  (For bonus points, can you name the yellow float plane suspended from the ceiling?  Answer in my next post.  83)

And these are our current sling-wing residents.  The Bell Long Ranger, in the foreground, is being converted for JAARS' use, which will include repainting, as well as extensive avionics and airframe work.  The little Robinson R-44, background, is flown locally for training and regional public relations events.  The Robinson is relatively economical to operate, but it runs on AvGas.  The Bell is a turboshaft which uses jet fuel.

Of course this brings us to - what I am working on...

Since my FAA drug test had not come back, this metal lathe was all the closer I was allowed to an aircraft. I was issued de-greaser, a scraper and a wire brush and invited to have fun.  My mission is to clean, scrape, sand and paint this baby.  I am helping God's word be translated into the heart language of people throughout the world.

By the way, for more information on the JAARS fleet around the world (and prettier photos) go to: http://www.jaars.org/whatwedo/aviation/aircraft.

iXs,
        The Rev

Valentines Day In the Classroom

Sometimes you get discouraged because I am so small,

and always leave my fingerprints on the furniture and walls.

But every day I'm growing; I'll be grown up some day

And all those tiny hand prints will surely fade away.

So here's a little hand print, just so you can recall

Exactly how my fingers looked when I was very small.

Story time.

There is always someone who needs some extra love.