One Big Step Completed, Another Step in Motion

In August of 2015, I began the journey of becoming an aircraft mechanic at Harvest Aviation in Wauchula FL. In June of 2016, I moved training locations from Wauchula to Sebring, FL at Carter Aircraft.

Apprenticeship at Carter Aircraft

Studying for tests while flying

In February of 2018, I completed the required aircraft mechanic apprenticeship to be eligible to take the aircraft mechanic general, powerplant and airframe written, oral and practical tests. And as of 5 days ago, April 18 2018, by the grace of God, I hold the aircraft mechanic airframe and powerplant certificate!! I am super grateful and excited to have this completed! This is one big step closer to being able to serve as a missionary pilot-mechanic!

In the past several months I have been seeking out if God is leading me to complete helicopter training to be able to also serve in that capacity. I want to thank each one who has prayed about this! God has certainly answered your prayers and made His path clear! In the beginning, I did not know how it would even be possible to financially cover the cost of helicopter training, where to go for the training and many other variables. From not knowing if God’s will was for me to complete this training, I am confident that God is leading me in this! The story,  a gentleman (Norman Headings) messaged me on Facebook saying, “we have the same interests, we should talk”. So we talked that day and God started moving in ways I did not expect! That conversation has led to: as of yesterday, I moved to New Bedford, Illinois and will be here until the end of August of 2018 and will be staying with Norman in his house, I will be using his helicopter to complete the helicopter training and he will be teaching me! Praise God for His clear direction and opening amazing doors for helicopter training!

Helicopter Discovery Flight
With my faithful supporter Meghan

The Goal

I start helicopter commercial add-on training today in a Robinson-22 helicopter (identical to the helicopter pictured above). Lord willing, this commercial add-on training will be able to be accomplished by June. And right there after, begin the flight instructor helicopter add-on (to be used as a tool to build required helicopter flight hours), and should not take more than 2 weeks to be able to accomplish this.

I plan to stay in Illinois with Norman until end of August building helicopter flight hours, helping maintain Norman’s helicopters and help where I can during their helicopter agriculture spraying season.

This helicopter training will allow me to serve with Wycliffe/JAARS in their helicopters serving remote villages and missionaries in mountainous areas that are not accessible by an airplane.

JAARS Helicopter in
Papua New Guinea

Training Progress

• Aircraft Mechanic Certificates (August 03, 2015 – April 18, 2018)
  • Airframe (✔ Completed)
  • Powerplant (✔ Completed)
• Airplane Certificates (August 23, 2014 – August 23, 2017)
  • Private Pilot Certificate  (✔ Completed)
  • Instrument Rating (✔ Completed)
  • Commercial Pilot Certificate  (✔ Completed)
  • Certified Flight Instructor  (✔ Completed)
• Helicopter Certificates (April 23, 2018 – In Progress)
  • Commercial Pilot Certificate (In Progress)
  • Certified Flight Instructor
  • Instrument Rating

Praise God for

1. The completion of the Aircraft Mechanic Certificate!
2. God providing a clear path and direction for helicopter training!
3. God working through Norman to make helicopter training possible!

Prayer Requests

1. That God would bless Norman for his willingness to help and his giving heart!
2. That helicopter training would be able to move forward on schedule!
3. For safety during helicopter training!