Ministry aircraft
Aircraft speed relief to the poor in remote areas and allow ministry outreach to take place at locations that cannot be reached by any other means.
Hi, I’m Chuck Martinez. I direct the aviation program for Mercy Wings International (MWI); I am also pilot and mechanic. The ministry base is located in Quetzaltenango in the western highlands of Guatemala. MWI operates a Cessna T206H to support missionary/ministry needs and to serve the needy of Guatemala.
One particular thing to note about aircraft is that not all jobs can be accomplished by any one type; each aircraft has specific strengths and limitations. The T206H is well suited to transport up to 5 passengers for relatively short flights of 30 to 60 minutes.
You wouldn’t wear hiking boots to dance ballet, nor would you wear ballet slippers to climb a mountain. The same holds true with aircraft. A heavy lifting aircraft with good short field capability, like the Cessna 206, works well in many rural and urban situations.
However,
sometimes lighter loads and speed is the combination that is needed.
For this reason I have a specific request. A Piper Comanche 250 would
fill a need in Guatemala that cannot be met by any other aircraft.
In 1954, Bill Piper was searching for an aircraft design that could effectively combine speed, economy, and payload; the Comanche was the result of his efforts.
An added bonus (for us today) is that it was still the “Golden Age” of aviation. The Comanche was crafted in a time when there were relatively few airstrips. And, consequently was built to land on unimproved surfaces. The strength of the landing gear comes from being built into the strongest part of the wing. Simplicity of design lends ruggedness, and maintainability to the list of positives.
Additionally, this type of aircraft would facilitate economical missionary travel to and from the United States. And furthermore, travel within the U.S. for awareness and fund raising of ministry needs.
Several options could bring the services of this aircraft to Guatemala. An owner could allow the use of the aircraft for a defined period of time. Or, an aircraft could be donated outright to us and the donor will receive a tax receipt through our 501.c.3 non-profit organization. Even a project (dissembled or “out of annual”) aircraft could be an answer to prayer.