Hello friends. In the period since I last updated this blog several positive developments have taken place. The School of Missionary Aviation Technology in Ionia, Michigan has been working with a generous new partner and is looking to greatly expand its facilities. Everything has not yet been finalized, but it looks like a large new academic building for Airframe and Power plant students will built in the new future. This will allow the flight and internship programs to expand into the present academic building. This should allow class size to more than double at my school.

Other good news. One of my student pilots Matt had a huge achievement recently when he completed his first solo flight. It was a fantastic fall evening and Matt did a great job landing on the long, wide grass here in Ionia. I will include some photos of the event and hopefully a video. Additionally, two new friends and classmates of mine were able to take a fall color tour flight over to a grass strip owned by one of our instructors. It was great fun and a good opportunity to get out of town to see some country side.

As November nears here in central Michigan the seasons are changing in a big way. We have had a few mornings with a little frost but the past two nights have seen hard freezes with temperatures dropping to the mid 20's for many hours. This weekend I will get to return home to see some family which will be great, but I can expect snow showers on my return to Michigan.

JMG

Perfect weather for solo flight. Matt before takeoff. On a fall "color tour" with some friends from school.Matt taking off runway 18.

Hello Friends. Many topics of various interest are on this update from Michigan. Maintenance training is progressing on schedule with the School of Missionary Aviation Technology. We have been working on corrosion prevention and riveting this week. Electricity has been a difficult topic to conquer with its dense nomenclature and sometimes illogical behavior. Flight training has been a blessing as I can help train missionary pilots from all over the country. I am looking to begin teaching a ground school though SMAT soon. It is also tool purchasing time. This is a very complicated and expensive process. A pair of safety wire pliers can cost $9.00 or $120.00. What is the difference? Which will last and which won't?

Back home things have been shaken up suffocatingly. Elements of Hurricane Ike hit hard back home in Indiana. It is surprising and odd that over 1,000 miles from where this tropical system made landfall in Texas, Ike still packed a huge 80mph punch. Hundreds of trees fell down and homes were damaged. Power was out for hundred of thousands of people for days and days. My parents were without power for 8 days! A total mess. Here is a photo of my old home and a huge tree that came down.

KSDF 141756Z 22033G65KT 5SM HZ CLR 30/17 A2955 RMK AO2 PK WND 22065/1751 PRESRR SLP999 T03000167 10306 20256 55008

Above is a meteorological update taken at the worst of the weather from the airport in Louisville. If you do not know how to read a METAR it indicates that the wind is from the south west at 33 knots and gusts to 65 knots. A very strong wind.

On a more positive note, I was able to make it home last weekend for the annual "Wood, Fabric and Tail wheel" fly-in at the Lee Bottom Flying Field. The weather was great and over 500 airplanes and spectators showed up for the event. I had the fabulous opportunity to fly in a 500HP Stearman bi-plane. Below are photos from the event.