The top image of this collage is a “throw-back” from 2003, a time when, as a nation, we were focused on life-changing world events. Soon I would travel to a Middle Eastern country where everyone would be united by a single mission. Many years have passed since then, and my personal focus has taken on a more eternal perspective. For 16+ years, Chuck & Robin have been focused on a …
What a Pain!
An overextended reach while working in the hangar went almost unnoticed except for a slight tingle in my lower back. I shrugged it off and kept working. The next morning the tingle had become a white-hot pain so piercing that I canceled my days activities in favor of an ice pack and heating pad. Lying flat on my back or sitting bolt upright were the only positions that offered any …
Fuel For the Fire
While on a medical/evangelistic outreach in a rural area in the western highlands of Guatemala Robin and I were hosted for 5 days by a local family. Their home was modest with basic appointments like a wood burning cook stove and running water, in that you had to run outside to bring the water in by bucket. Sheets hung over cords became our haven-of-rest for the next week. The outreach …
The Positive Power of Planes
Central American road systems are strikingly limited when compared to the intricate systems that crisscross any-city USA. Stopping the flow of traffic between cities is often used to voice political or civil discontent with government policies. When this occurs, movement between cities and municipalities is impossible. Worse yet, you could find yourself trapped in a miles long line of vehicles unable to move for hours. On the 15th of …
Critical to Safe Flight!
During the return leg of a missionary transport flight, a failure light (L VAC) illuminated on the warning panel of the aircraft I was flying. It indicated that the left vacuum pump (VP) had failed. Briefly explained, the vacuum system keeps gyro instruments spinning to provide accurate attitude readings during flight. Because they are critical to safe flight, two are designed into this aircraft, a primary and backup. As an …
Site Survey Coban
About the middle of August, Chuck & Robin (C&R), SGSP Aviation Ministries International directors spent a morning talking with local pilots trying to get a feel for this 50ft wide by 3300ft long airstrip. The strip has a 3deg upslope with a pretty good kick at one end. Most pilots will opt to land uphill and takeoff downhill as seen in the photo however, given the right wind conditions a …
Taking Care of Our Volunteers
Brian and Deb are retired living in Guatemala but are by no means idle with their time. Here at SGSP Aviation Ministries we appreciate the gift of time and talent. Recently on an SGSP follow up mission between Quetzaltenango and Guatemala City, we invited B&D to ride along and get a look at the western highlands from a vantage point few get to see. Judging from the smiles on their …
Struck Down But…Well Nearly!
Safe on the ground after back-to-back ministry support flights, Robin and I carefully rolled open four of the 30-ft tall hangar doors, each weighing 400lbs. With the hangar open, we broke a sweat wrestling a 3600 lb. aircraft into position by hand. After a moment to catch our breath, we began to clean, check, inventory, refuel, and cover the aircraft. This is all part of the post-flight routine, so that …