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.