Projects In The Hangar: MAG 206

The Missionary Air Group (MAG) Cessna 206 was flown up to MMS from Honduras for inspection and repair. MAG operates throughout the northeast coastal plains of Honduras providing transportation and cargo service for national church workers and missionaries, medical evacuation and mercy flights, and responding to humanitarian and relief needs.

Inspection of the airplane revealed serious maintenance issues needing to be addressed. Without the ministry of MMS, the airplane would have been scrapped as junk. Mike Dunkley, a career missionary and aviation maintenance technician, is the MMS Team Leader supervising the apprentice mechanics performing the restoration and repair work. The four month project has turned into a 12-month project but will be returned to service for approximately $70,000 in parts and materials. While there's no question that is a large amount of money, it reflects a savings of $130,000-$150,000 over what MAG would have had to spend in order to buy another airplane to replace this one.

And while MMS has provided MAG the means to save this money, MMS apprentice mechanics are also gaining the experience they need to pass the FAA Airframe & Powerplant exams to receive their mechanic certificate. This certificate will then qualify them to join one of the 125 or so organizations using aircraft for Christian ministry around the world.

It's a unique vision with a unique application: preparing people and planes for worldwide mission service. Karen and I are blessed to be part of this ministry through your gifts and prayers.