Yeah! The Commercial Pilot’s License has been completed! I’ve spent December and January training with a South African National who was my Certified Flight Instructor. On Jan the 31st, I was able to take my FAA Commercial Pilot Practical test which consists of an Oral and Flight test. We were scheduled to do the test at 9:30 am, but we ended up not starting the test until 3:30 in the afternoon due to maintenance issues. When I pre-flighted the aircraft in the morning just before the test, I noticed the right main tire was showing cords below the tread(not at all good, especially for an FAA Exam). So we ended up flying the Cessna 182 from the home field in Sebring to Lakeland to buy new tires, return to Sebring, and have the maintenance shop install them on the aircraft. Starting the practical test that late in the afternoon made the flight exam go into the twilight, which made landing within a 200ft mark on the runway a harder task. Thankfully, all of the testing went well once we got started.

We landed and the examiner said, “congratulations!”

You may be wondering what is a Commercial Pilot’s License and why is it needed for missionary aviation work. A CPL(Commercial Pilot’s License) is similar to a CDL( Commercial Driver’s License), in that operating either vehicle requires advanced skills, knowledge, emergency operations, and a higher standard of safety. In some countries, the government will not allow you to operate the aircraft in their country without a CPL for the type of operations missions do.

After praying, seeking God’s will, and speaking to missionary pilots for advice, it has been decided to go ahead and get my Certified Flight Instructors Certificate. This will allow me to build my total flight time from 250hrs to 500hrs while teaching others how to fly, which will result in me not needing to pay out of pocket to build that flight time. Lord Willing, I should have the Instructor Certificate completed by April.

Below is an update of the training progress.

Training Progress

  • Air-frame & Power-plant Mechanic License (In Progress, Projected completion date: May 2018)
  • Private Pilot’s License  (✔ Completed)
    • Instrument Rating (✔ Completed)
  • Commercial Pilot’s License  (✔ Completed)
    • Multi-Engine Rating
    • Seaplane Rating
  • Certified Flight Instructor  (In Progress)

Fire at Tower of Hope

It has been a wonderful blessing to be able to live at Tower of Hope property during the week days. Ian and Ruth Bennett are serving at Tower of Hope building an apartment for the mission.  They have blessed me greatly with their company and the treasured dinner meals. We normally are able to spend our evenings together eating dinner and spending time around the fire. 

Praise God for

  1. The completion of the Commercial Pilots License.
  2. God’s Faithful leading and financial provisions.
  3. Prayer, financial, and encouraging supporters like you. God’s work is a group effort. I am blessed to have you behind me. 

Prayer Requests

  1. The lost souls of the men I work with at Carter Aircraft. That I my daily exemplify the love of God, speak the words that God would have me speak, and stand unwavering during the testing  that comes with it.
  2. Continued motivation to assist in spreading the Word of God among all nations and tribes.
  3.  That I may retain everything I am learning.