I have moved from a MAF Candidate to a MAF Pilot!!!!!!! Thank you for praying and being a part of this!! Your prayers have been answered!!!
Next, I ask you to pray about placement (country/program). MAF will be looking at different options this week. Please pray that both MAF and I will be on the same page as to where the Lord is leading.
Thank you!!!
April
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Pictures and More!
As promised here are some pics from the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Technical Evaluation I did in Idaho 2 weeks ago.
My Instructor Pilot Brian Shepson and I with our trusty helmets. MAF US wears helmets when they fly. Don't judge Brian...it was dress down day at the airport..;) He and I flew together all week~ I really enjoyed flying with him.
As I said in an earlier post, I sadly have no pictures of us actually flying. I guess I should have brought along a film crew...
So? What's next? Well I'm flying to Ontario next Saturday to visit family for a week and then off to Guelph, Ontario for MAF Canada's Candidate Orientation. This will be a 2 week engagement of getting to know MAF better and then hopefully at the end of that segment, they will invite me onto staff as one of their Pre-field pilots! The 13 year dream is coming true!
I should find out at that time where I will be placed. There are 2 programs in mind and I/MAF will be deciding at that time where I would be the best fit! Do continue to pray with me about placement. It's a big deal! I will need to make a decision rather soon - before Christmas I'm thinking.
Friends, thanks for being a part of the journey so far by reading the updates and praying for me! I cannot even imagine what adventures the Lord has for us in the near and distant future - but they are going to be incredible! You won't want to miss it - We are going to see Him with our very own eyes!!!!
A view of Boise and one of the mountain ranges.
I am sporting the official MAF Guest ID badge.
Here I am holding the infamous MAF Standard Operating Procedures Handbook. A lot of these procedures we use as a foundation in our curriculum at Prairie School of Mission Aviation.
Ah the Cessna 206Turbo - my swift steed for the week! I had never flown this type of aircraft before but I was able to pick up the procedures and feel of the aircraft quickly!
My Instructor Pilot Brian Shepson and I with our trusty helmets. MAF US wears helmets when they fly. Don't judge Brian...it was dress down day at the airport..;) He and I flew together all week~ I really enjoyed flying with him.
As I said in an earlier post, I sadly have no pictures of us actually flying. I guess I should have brought along a film crew...
So? What's next? Well I'm flying to Ontario next Saturday to visit family for a week and then off to Guelph, Ontario for MAF Canada's Candidate Orientation. This will be a 2 week engagement of getting to know MAF better and then hopefully at the end of that segment, they will invite me onto staff as one of their Pre-field pilots! The 13 year dream is coming true!
I should find out at that time where I will be placed. There are 2 programs in mind and I/MAF will be deciding at that time where I would be the best fit! Do continue to pray with me about placement. It's a big deal! I will need to make a decision rather soon - before Christmas I'm thinking.
Friends, thanks for being a part of the journey so far by reading the updates and praying for me! I cannot even imagine what adventures the Lord has for us in the near and distant future - but they are going to be incredible! You won't want to miss it - We are going to see Him with our very own eyes!!!!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
To God be the glory, great things He has done!!
Well friends, I rolled in to Three Hills last night after a week long evaluation in Nampa, Idaho. I have to say, the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) base in the US is awesome. They welcomed me warmly and were super hospitable. I have very few pictures to show for my adventure as it wasn't exactly appropriate to take pictures during the evaluation flights, but I got some on the ground for you.
First I want to say - THANK YOU for praying with and for me this week. I woke up each morning feeling calm and collected. I had a clear sharp mind and was able to catch and correct any errors I made. I was perfectly paired with an instructor. We connected well and he made me feel at ease. In fact, I had met him 2 years ago at a booth at Oshkosh and we had spent a few hours together then as well. It was really neat that I could fly with him last week.
We were able to fly Monday and Tuesday, the simulator was on Wednesday, and then Friday we flew the last lesson - a cross country and diversion exercise in marginal weather. I had to wait an hour until the debrief. Then....to God be the glory, great things He has done! He enabled me to PASS the Technical Evaluation!!!! I am THRILLED! Praise the Lord!
After the debrief, I met with the Candidate Committee so they could get to know me in the event I was loaned to a US program later on. The people I met there were wonderful and caring.
So that's the news I've been waiting to share with you!!! :) :) :)
Thank you again!!!!!!
April:)
...pictures will come soon.....:)
First I want to say - THANK YOU for praying with and for me this week. I woke up each morning feeling calm and collected. I had a clear sharp mind and was able to catch and correct any errors I made. I was perfectly paired with an instructor. We connected well and he made me feel at ease. In fact, I had met him 2 years ago at a booth at Oshkosh and we had spent a few hours together then as well. It was really neat that I could fly with him last week.
We were able to fly Monday and Tuesday, the simulator was on Wednesday, and then Friday we flew the last lesson - a cross country and diversion exercise in marginal weather. I had to wait an hour until the debrief. Then....to God be the glory, great things He has done! He enabled me to PASS the Technical Evaluation!!!! I am THRILLED! Praise the Lord!
After the debrief, I met with the Candidate Committee so they could get to know me in the event I was loaned to a US program later on. The people I met there were wonderful and caring.
So that's the news I've been waiting to share with you!!! :) :) :)
Thank you again!!!!!!
April:)
...pictures will come soon.....:)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
A Pair of Jeans
I've never thought of myself as short, in fact, I tell people I have long legs! (ahem...comparatively speaking...) Lately, I've been wondering who the people are who design pilot seats? Are they retired basketball players who after a long career decided to take up seat design? Were they tired of sitting in cramped quarters and in retaliation determined to create their own? I wonder sometimes.
To me, sitting in a pilot seat comfortably is like wearing a pair of jeans - you need to tweak them to make a good fit! More often than not, if they fit in the hips, you gotta hem them at the bottom. Likewise, I use my "shimmies" (aka pillows) to craft the perfect pilot seat fit! Not only can I see over the panel, but I can reach the rudders too! They say that passengers like that...
Perhaps I should go into the seat makin' business myself:)
I can already imagine the commercial now....
....Are you tired of carrying around pillows to see over the dashboard? Have you heard the red wagon joke one too many times? Then we got a deal for you!! With only 5 installments of $99.99, you too can...
Hmm....
For now, I will pack up the shimmies in my suitcase and fly them down to Idaho to try on a Cessna 206 and as always, after a bit of tweaking, I'll be ready to go~
To me, sitting in a pilot seat comfortably is like wearing a pair of jeans - you need to tweak them to make a good fit! More often than not, if they fit in the hips, you gotta hem them at the bottom. Likewise, I use my "shimmies" (aka pillows) to craft the perfect pilot seat fit! Not only can I see over the panel, but I can reach the rudders too! They say that passengers like that...
Perhaps I should go into the seat makin' business myself:)
I can already imagine the commercial now....
....Are you tired of carrying around pillows to see over the dashboard? Have you heard the red wagon joke one too many times? Then we got a deal for you!! With only 5 installments of $99.99, you too can...
Hmm....
For now, I will pack up the shimmies in my suitcase and fly them down to Idaho to try on a Cessna 206 and as always, after a bit of tweaking, I'll be ready to go~
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Remember that date??
Yup! It's time! In one week, I'll be on a plane to Nampa, Idaho to the MAF - US headquarters to participate in the 5 day flight evaluation. This is the final evaluation in the application process. (Yay!!) It will consist of oral and written exams, simulator work, and flights. They will be evaluating my regular flying skills as well as how quickly I pick up the new techniques they teach me.
I am really looking forward to it... I hear it's "fun"! I'll let you know later if that's a true statement... At the end of the week, MAF-US will let me know their recommendation of serving with them.
SO, this week is chuck full of preparation!!
Well Team, as we go into this week, here are some praise & prayer requests:
++++++ Praise+++++++
*The IFR ride was successful & I now hold a Single Engine Instrument Rating.
*A good rest this weekend.
*Clear, WARM weather in Three Hills
======Prayer=======
*I'll be flying a plane I have never flown before during the evaluation. Pray that my mind will be able to concentrate this week as I learn the new procedures and get acquainted with this particular manual.
*Continued good weather for some prep flights
*I'll use my time wisely
*I'll get a good rest each night
*I'll relax....(who me?)
Thanks everyone again for your prayers throughout this process and especially last week. I thank you in advance for lifting me up during this prep week and then through Oct. 2-8th in Idaho.
Psalm 63:1-8 "O GOD, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me."
I am really looking forward to it... I hear it's "fun"! I'll let you know later if that's a true statement... At the end of the week, MAF-US will let me know their recommendation of serving with them.
SO, this week is chuck full of preparation!!
Well Team, as we go into this week, here are some praise & prayer requests:
++++++ Praise+++++++
*The IFR ride was successful & I now hold a Single Engine Instrument Rating.
*A good rest this weekend.
*Clear, WARM weather in Three Hills
======Prayer=======
*I'll be flying a plane I have never flown before during the evaluation. Pray that my mind will be able to concentrate this week as I learn the new procedures and get acquainted with this particular manual.
*Continued good weather for some prep flights
*I'll use my time wisely
*I'll get a good rest each night
*I'll relax....(who me?)
Thanks everyone again for your prayers throughout this process and especially last week. I thank you in advance for lifting me up during this prep week and then through Oct. 2-8th in Idaho.
Psalm 63:1-8 "O GOD, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me."
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wrestling a bull
Thank you for all those who prayed for me today. Quite honestly, it was the most brutal flight test I have ever taken. Several things unfolded as we flew -
We were 30miles out of Edmonton International when the controller told us they were not taking training flights today as one of their runways was down for maintenance and they were only using 1 approach. (They had issued the notice after we had taken off.) My examiner spoke with them and asked if they would accommodate us for the flight test and the controllers obliged. Praise the Lord!
We flew into Red Deer and I was "hand flying" the approach (read: no autopilot) and I was very focused as I had not flown this one before, and as we were 5 miles from the end of the runway when we hit serious turbulence - I was hardly in my seat! It honestly felt like I was wrestling a bull down to the ground. It was intense....all the while trying to make sure I didn't go below the minimum altitude of the approach, and then I saw the needle on my instrument deflect too much and I realized I may have just failed the exercise BUT then I remembered that I could have another chance if I initiated a missed approach (a "go around"). So I did and tried it again. The second time went better...still fighting the winds and the turbulence. I felt like I was put through the wringer a second time. As we climbed back up to altitude on our way home to Three Hills, the cockpit was silent. I was arriving at the decision that I had just partially failed my flight test and was feeling rather whipped, trying to keep my mind focused for the last exercise. Then out of the quietness a voice said "Are you hungry?" It was my examiner, he had been quiet during my whole flight (3 hrs). We shared a cookie. I could have cried. We had one last item to complete -the hold - and it was successful. As I came in for landing at Three Hills, the winds were very strong - 25kt crosswind (ridiculous)...but got it down and finally, as we moved onto the taxiway the examiner told me I passed. Thank you Lord! It was truly by His grace today that we managed to do the flight.
Thank you SO much for praying. I needed it....
Hugs,
April
We were 30miles out of Edmonton International when the controller told us they were not taking training flights today as one of their runways was down for maintenance and they were only using 1 approach. (They had issued the notice after we had taken off.) My examiner spoke with them and asked if they would accommodate us for the flight test and the controllers obliged. Praise the Lord!
We flew into Red Deer and I was "hand flying" the approach (read: no autopilot) and I was very focused as I had not flown this one before, and as we were 5 miles from the end of the runway when we hit serious turbulence - I was hardly in my seat! It honestly felt like I was wrestling a bull down to the ground. It was intense....all the while trying to make sure I didn't go below the minimum altitude of the approach, and then I saw the needle on my instrument deflect too much and I realized I may have just failed the exercise BUT then I remembered that I could have another chance if I initiated a missed approach (a "go around"). So I did and tried it again. The second time went better...still fighting the winds and the turbulence. I felt like I was put through the wringer a second time. As we climbed back up to altitude on our way home to Three Hills, the cockpit was silent. I was arriving at the decision that I had just partially failed my flight test and was feeling rather whipped, trying to keep my mind focused for the last exercise. Then out of the quietness a voice said "Are you hungry?" It was my examiner, he had been quiet during my whole flight (3 hrs). We shared a cookie. I could have cried. We had one last item to complete -the hold - and it was successful. As I came in for landing at Three Hills, the winds were very strong - 25kt crosswind (ridiculous)...but got it down and finally, as we moved onto the taxiway the examiner told me I passed. Thank you Lord! It was truly by His grace today that we managed to do the flight.
Thank you SO much for praying. I needed it....
Hugs,
April
Today!
Today is finally the flight test for the Instrument Rating!!! It will start at 9:30am and end at approximately 2:30pm. The weather is gorgeous outside - Praise the Lord!
I ask you to pray that I will have a clear, organized mind this morning and will be able to anticipate the next item required for each task. Overall, that I will be calm in mind and heart.
Thanks friends!
April
I ask you to pray that I will have a clear, organized mind this morning and will be able to anticipate the next item required for each task. Overall, that I will be calm in mind and heart.
Thanks friends!
April