Burning up Engines...

The Pratt and Whitney PT6A engine-the engine of MAF's fleet in Papua!

So we have been a bit silent lately.  It's not for lack of creativity, nor lack of things to do....in fact it has been quite the opposite.  Nearly three weeks after Ellie's birth, I headed off to the Northwest to catch some refresher training time at Spokane Turbine Center, and caught the added bonus of the flu!  The object of my time out there was to prep me for operation and use of the Pratt and Whitney PT6 engine found both on the MAF Kodiaks and Caravans.  The method was the "sponge concept".  Fill up with as much information as possible, pray that none of it seeps out in the next 14 months, then just like a sponge there's bound to be something left to eek out when it's needed.  Pumping up with knowledge they did, but sadly my first 3 days there- the flu "squeezed" some of it out.

Imagine this thing spinning around at 38,000 RPM-it would make a great juicer!

The training itself was good but it was the simulations and the engine operation that were the highlight of the trip. My dialog with the instructors sounded something like this:

Master check, ignition check, starter engaged....positive engine speed....initializing fuel...., watching engine speed and temperature. 

Jon do you see that light?

What light, oh the Red one in the corner?

Yep.

I see it....wait it says "Fire".

That's right you are on fire!

Thankfully I was able to simulate a quick escape without any real bodily harm done, (minus my hurt pride for not realizing that I was blazing).  That's what training is for, right?  I burned up at least three engines in different situations at what would have been $275k per rebuild. I spent a lot of simulated money!  It is amazing to me to see how "fragile" these engines can be, but if you do it right they are a remarkable machine. These are the tools we have to use, bringing  hope and encouragement to remote and isolated people.

Perplexed that this little wheel costs around $70-85k.  Handle with care!

It was really amazing to see the Lord's provision during this time. While I was away from home studying, burning up engines and recovering from the flu, my poor wife was left with home with the kids.  To add to that she came down with the strep throat and both kids had colds.  We are so thankful for you who stepped up to the plate with meals and child care so that Amy could rest and I could continue our last bit of training before leaving the country in 10 weeks!  We are all healthy now and looking forward to some good holiday cooking and shopping.  We're trying to soak it all in- the last few weeks will certainly fly. 

Spokane Turbine Center class, made up of mostly MAF people we will be serving with in Indonesia!