MMS Aviation Black & White Cessna 182 Part One

One of the major restoration projects in our hangar is a 1961 Cessna 182 to be used for ministry in the Philippines. This aircraft sustained substantial structural damage and would be scrapped except for the ministry of MMS Aviation. To replace the airplane would cost about $200,000 BEFORE it was inspected, repaired and upgraded. The avionics upgrade alone could run $100,000. So there's a $300,000 spent even before the engine is inspected. It could be $350,000 before a flying aircraft could be prepared to replace this damaged one.

1961 Cessna 182 fuselage under restoration.

Yet, because you support MMS Aviation, a scrap heap will be upgraded and returned to Kingdom service for approximately $90,000.00 in parts and materials! Not only that, but our apprentice mechanics gain the invaluable experience that only this project could provide. And this experience, in turn, is transferred to other missionary aircraft as our apprentices graduate and move into field service. It's a win-win-win for speeding the Gospel, maximizing Kingdom investment, and ensuring the next generation of competent, confident, and qualified missionary airplane mechanics reach the field.

An interesting detail is that this era of aircraft did not receive any anti-corrosion protection on any internal surface. It will receive that protection here. When it leaves our hangar, it will be better prepared INSIDE and OUTSIDE for the next 62 years!

Chuck "drives" rivets from outside the fuselage.

While Ben "bucks" the rivets from inside the fuselage.

Jay removes wing skin to repair a damaged wing spar.

Some rivets are tougher to remove than others. (And yes, I realize this isn't a black and white photo but the sparks look a lot cooler in color.)

And sometimes we find damage we didn't realize existed...like these "figure 8" holes (that should be three ROUND holes) requiring additional components to be replaced.

Thanks for being part of this project through your gifts and prayers!
Watch for Part 2 of this blog!