Ricky at MARC

My time in Spokane is over today, but I learned much. Yesterday we got to fly Kodiak serial number 001, 30-45 min up to Quest’s factory where the Kodiaks are made. They gave us a tour and I saw a plane for JAARS and one for MAF on the assembly line.

That morning I was able to fly the full motion Kodiak simulator. The benefits of the simulator are numerous. As I was flying the instructor was able to fail all of the different instruments. Normally for pilots this allows them to practice how to fly in dangerous conditions without actually being in danger. For the mechanics it allowed us to see what various issues look like to pilots so we can better interpret their “squawks” when they come back from a flight. On top of the simple display issues the instructor was able to actually give us mechanical engine failures. This allowed me to practice my troubleshooting without actually damaging an engine. To put it in perspective, if I was to actually go back and damage one of the two engines on our King Air, the replacement value is in the neighborhood of $300,000 – $500,000. Obviously the training received here is valuable, if for no other reason then to keep us from breaking parts on real planes.

I now head out for a week of vacation. Since January 1 I have averaged 55 hours a week at work, and I am really looking forward to getting my mind off maintenance. Since I am already in the northwest I am going to visit a few friends I have in the area, and my cousin. I will be back to work next weekend, and ready to put my knowledge gained here into practice.

Hello all,

I hope you all enjoy the new website! Greg whipped up a new layout and made it much easier for me to add information and update the blog. I also can add new pictures here and maybe even the new MARC video!

At this point I should let you all know that I am not in Alaska. I am currently in the third week of training in Spokane Washington. Travis and I flew down to get some in depth training on PT6′s,  the engines that our King Air uses. We spent the first week taking apart a non-working engine, running a good engine to get comfortable with that, and learning LOTS of theory that we had learned in A&P school but had long since forgotten. We do not normally get to work on Turbine Engines, so the class was a very important safety update for our maintenance department.

We are spent the second week learning about an incredible new avionics package that makes life much easier for both pilots and mechanics, and doing a “heavy maintenance” class on the PT6′s. This week we are learning about the systems and capabilities of the new Quest Kodiak. Some of you may have heard of this plane. It is the new plane purpose built for missions and there are several already in use by MAF, JAARS, and Samaritans Purse. The picture I included above is of the Kodiak.

I also wanted to take this time to ask for some prayer requests:

1. Pray for the guys at MARC we left behind, they are having to pick up the maintenance duties while we are away.

2. A family from a different mission agency have a hearing for adoption of a pair of young twins on Thursday. Pray that it goes smoothly, and for these children to be able to stay in their loving family.

Thanks and keep checking back!