Project 206

A new airplane...

2009-12-03T16:25:00.000+03:00

...to me, anyway. We had to run over to the SP hangar to pick up some paperwork and I got to see our Kodiak. It's definitely an interesting airplane. John and Mike were there working on it with a guy from Quest. I had the chance to give it a once over look and chat with the guys.

It sure isn't a C206 with a 550 in it, but I guess it will get the job done. Hahhahahahaa....

The C210...

2009-11-05T10:58:00.000+03:00

So for the last however many months, we have been tinkering away at the Check III due on our C210M, 5Y-BLG. We've recently been doing some landing gear work, so it's been up and down on the jacks, with some gear retractions going on. It's such a funny looking project, I thought I would take some pictures of it up in the air.

Here it is at about 17 inches up in the air...the minimum amount required for the gear to be retracted safely.

Side shot.

Side shot...no legs. It looked like it was going to fly down into the floor. Definitely weird...

Front shot...no legs. Lotta space under there.

I am officially not working in the shop anymore. We are departing Nairobi tomorrow night, so we are feverishly packing and trying to make sure that all things are in order before we leave. It has been a great time here at AIM AIR and I look forward to coming back in January. But now we're looking forward to some good home time with family and friends back in the States. I will update the blog as I see fit...and when I come across some cool airplanes.

See ya'll!!!!

Wow...

2009-10-26T13:13:00.000+03:00

...so I have really been slack about putting anything on my blog. I'm sorry for that. Things have really been busy, and I just haven't had a chance. So here's some updates:

Our "silver bullets," N827DG and N4790U are finished. 7DG has about 50-something hours on it. They are not yet allowed to fly in Kenyan airspace because they are US registered. The paperwork should be coming through sometime this week for them to be allowed to operate here in the country. In the meantime, they are looking beautiful at the hangar door all day.

We are still pressing on with our inspection of the C210, 5Y-BLG. We have also begun working on a big inspection for 5Y-CMA, one of the C206s.

The DC-3 is in for some extensive sheetmetal work, including a new airstair door.

I will be leaving for the States the end of next week. We have our home leave coming up and we are getting excited about heading home and seeing family and friends. We will be sharing with some local churches about the ministry of AIM AIR/SP, so if you're interested, please send me an email and I can give you some more info.

The blog will most likely rest for a couple months while I'm on home leave, unless I can find some cool aviation pictures during my travels. Just be sure to check every now and then to see if I've updated. Thanks again for all the interest you guys and gals have shown in this blog. It really means a lot.

Anyway, here's a couple pics for this week, and perhaps there will be some more before I go next week.

This is Marko, a Rendille warrior who works with us here at AIM AIR.

Jerry Hurd giving a tour of the hangar to some orphans. Here he's explaining how the retractable gear works on the C210.

This pic was taken today. The DC-3 really takes up a lot of room in the hangar. There's the C210 (BLG) in the front, and 5Y-CMA is just behind the tail of the C210.

Moving on...

2009-10-10T08:03:00.002+03:00

The two Project 206 airplanes are complete. Any day of the week, you can find them resting in the AIM AIR hangar here in Nairobi. We are patiently (or maybe not so...) waiting for permission to be granted by the local aviation authorities to fly them as US-registered aircraft in country. That would be such a blessing for that to happen.

Meanwhile, I have moved into the role of Piston Fleet Supervisor. This involves keeping track of our 5 Cessna 206s and a single Cessna 210. I am in charge of the maintenance on them and making sure that they are operating safely.

Currently we are finishing a large inspection on the Cessna 210, and will begin another large inspection on one of the Kenyan-registered Cessna 206s. Both of these are huge prayer requests, because we currently have only one Kenyan-registered Cessna 206 that is operational. One of the US-registered Cessna 206s is operating over in Entebbe.

Things are busy in the shop, and I will try to keep things updated on here, with some pictures when they come.

Hopefully, N827DG and N4790U will soon be operational here in Kenya.

AIM AIR - "Serving those who serve"

Ready to Fly

2009-09-30T15:12:00.002+03:00

On Tuesday, 29 September, 2009, N4790U left the earth here in Nairobi, Kenya, and did not return for two solid hours. Reini and I were the only two aboard and we had a great flight as we did the engine break-in. We returned with very minimal discrepancies, mostly just items that needed a little bit of fine tuning. It was a beautiful sunny day with some clouds, and the air was just bumpy enough. However, unlike with 7DG's first flight, I didn't get sick this time!! Aha!

N4790U - 0
Nate - 1

HAHA! Anyway, it was a great flight, and I flew again this morning with John to do some flight maneuvers and check the stall warn horn after we installed a Horton STOL kit and Vortex Generators. We flew out over Karen and enjoyed our time together, reminiscing of the same type of flight we did last year with 7DG.

Below are some pictures of our crew in a circle of prayer about an hour before we did the test flight. Enjoy.

Reini and I with the airplane as we preflight it together.

N4790U video

2009-09-27T13:05:00.000+03:00

10 months in 3 minutes from nate killoren on Vimeo.

First Run!!

2009-09-25T16:59:00.003+03:00

This afternoon, we ran N4790U for the first time! It went great! It fired right up and sounded very smooth for having sat around in crates and on the airplane for about 2 years total without being run.

The video will be coming in the next couple days!

Keep your eyes peeled!

Blast from the Past

2009-09-25T12:02:00.004+03:00

Here's some pictures of N4790U...before and after.

Final Preparations

2009-09-24T16:56:00.003+03:00

This week we have been working hard to get N4790U finished so that we can do the first run of the new IO-550-N and then take it on its first flight here in Kenya. Things have been progressing well and we have taken care of some small items here and there that need to be fine tuned. We also took it to be weighed and will be doing the final fuel tests tomorrow. Here's some pics!

Jerry Hurd doing some final touches on the control yoke carry through cables.

Sitting in the doorway, almost ready.

Looking good.

That really is a nice looking engine.

Getting ready to go down to Phoenix Aviation to be weighed. We had to tow it down because we only put unusable fuel in it...just like the POH says.

On the scales at Phoenix. That's level flight attitude...how the airplane actually moves through the sky.

In the doorway at Phoenix. All the mechanics at Phoenix had to come over and inspect this sweet looking 206. AIM AIR was paid a good complement when one of the upper level engineers said that all of our airplanes always look so nice, that we always keep them well maintained.

On the way back to AIM AIR. Godfrey was our driver.

Early Morning Rest

2009-09-16T13:04:00.000+03:00

N4790U...getting closer.

2009-09-15T10:23:00.002+03:00

We've been really pretty busy here in the shop the past couple weeks. I'm sorry for not posting. Hopefully, I can get back into it better.

We finished N342EA and it went back to Entebbe, Uganda.

We are currently working on 90U to finish it up and also on 5Y-SIL changing the right MLG fitting, which has a crack in it. Thanks to JM, the pilot who reported a "funny sound, not something normal." Upon further inspection, I found a crack that was about 3 inches long and not in the "normal" place that cracks occur.

Anyway, here's some pictures of 90U. Nate Killoren got the cargo pod installed and is working on closing up the wings and the fuselage so that we can install the seats and then work on getting the toe and camber adjusted. Then the plane is to be weighed, fuel tests, and then a test run will be in the near future.

Getting the cargo pod aligned to begin installing the screws.

Nate K. putting the screws in...

Nice interior. Looks good enough to fly...

Pod installed. Ready to go soon.

Scooting over...

2009-08-31T13:10:00.004+03:00

...to N342EA. This airplane is usually based in Entebbe, Uganda. It came over to Nairobi for some maintenance just before the accident three weeks ago. We have begun working on it this past week and continue through this week. Here's some of the pictures I've captured of the work.

Lance Atkins and I removed the engine so that we could install the dual forward mount conversion. Here's Lance getting the engine ready to remove.

Here's the engine on it's temporary home. We did lots of inspection on it while it was off the plane, too, since everything was very accessible.

The dual mounts have been installed.

Ready for an engine again...

Tim Carpenter, AA pilot in Loki, helping with the 100hr inspection. He's removing the fairings for the pod from around the landing gear legs...

...and here's Lance's legs. He was inside the pod holding the nuts on the back of the screws for Tim to remove.

Not much room in there. :) Short termers always get the weird jobs...sorry, Lance.

The engine is now back on with its new Hartzell prop. It used to have a 3-blade McCauley.

While the plane is down, we're also putting on the Vortex Generator kit. It's looking good.

Jerry Hurd...with lunch in hand.

Long Overdue Update

2009-08-20T13:33:00.004+03:00

I'm sorry about not posting in a while. Things have been crazy and not the ordinary. We have not been doing much on the piston fleet here at AIM AIR, but are starting to get back into it slowly. However, N4790U is not the focus of our attention at this time. We are working on the 206s that are operational first, then we will move back to 90U.

In the mean time, I will post some pictures of what we are doing...and below are some pictures that I took the week before the accident. Hope you enjoy.

Left to right: Me, Lance, and Kevin putting on the registration stickers.

...and the finished product. It finally has it's numbers back.

This is Kevin, one of the AIM AIR short term volunteers, installing the vista vents in the pilot door window.

Mr. Singh, the interior fundi, getting the headliner laid out and ready to install.

Here's the headliner installed, with the cargo tie downs installed as well. You can see the side interior plastics, too.

Steve and David testing some of the avionics. You can see the screen for the GPS is lit up, so it must be working!

Lance Atkins, getting the floor ready for the anti-skid tape.

Jim Levander doing an inspection of the fuel lines and fuel selector, ensuring that all things are tight that need to be.

Here's an interior shot, with the new anti-skid tape on the floor, and the interior almost finished.

Updates...

2009-08-16T07:31:00.003+03:00

I'm sorry for not posting during the past few weeks. The Project 206 involving N4790U has been put on hold for a little bit as we regroup and contemplate the losses here at AIM AIR.

If you want to read some things, than you can go to my family blog here, where I have been posting some more thoughtful insights than just aviation related things.

Don't lose heart...I will begin posting some more aviation related posts this week.

Time...

2009-08-07T15:37:00.000+03:00

...to say goodbye.

Today, Ryan Williams went to be with his LORD and Savior, along with his good friend, Frank Toews. The infections became too great for his body to fight and he reached into the hands of his LORD and was welcomed into the realms of glory.

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable...The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works...My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever."
Psalm 145:3, 17, 21

Info on Ryan

2009-08-07T09:19:00.000+03:00

Here is some information that we have on Ryan:

The latest report on Ryan which has just come in shows he is in a more serious condition than originally thought. After all the bandages were removed, it was evaluated that he has 70% deep and serious burns. He is on three antibiotics and on kidney dialysis. Internal organs are in a precarious state while his biggest danger is infection. The overall evaluation of his condition is "seriously unstable"

It is encouraging that he has been responsive to communication and that his vitals are stable and strong with the hopes that tomorrow he will go back again to surgery to remove more of the damaged skin. However, it is clear that Ryan is in great need of the Lord's help and intervention and so may I encourage you to mobilise your people again to pray earnestly for him and his family. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective James 5:16

Please pray specifically for:

- The infection to clear quickly
- Protection of the organs against damage
- His kidneys to work again
- Wisdom for those caring and treating him
- Miraculous healing

Adding to that report is the report that his white blood cell count is pretty much at zero, which is not helpful when you're trying to fight an infection.

Pray for Dawn and Celeste (Ryan's mom) as they are already on their way to SA.

We love you Ryan!!!

Update on Ryan

2009-08-07T07:07:00.001+03:00

We received a text message from our prayer chain last night at about 1130pm saying that Ryan is considered to be seriously unstable. This comes with a greater assessment of his burns and the fact that he is fighting infection. His vitals were good and he was responding to the AIM nurse that is with him...

However, this morning, we received a text stating that we should pray for Ryan right now! This was at 7am.

PLEASE lift him up if you read this! The LORD is on His throne...

Address...

2009-08-06T07:53:00.000+03:00

...for Ryan, cards and letters only, no flowers or stuffed toys.

Netcare Milpark Hospital
c/o Ryan Williams
PO BOX 91155
Auckland Park 2006
Jo'burg, South Africa

I know anything and everything would be appreciated. Pray for Dawn as she gets things in order for Chloe's US citizenship/passport. She also has to pack up her house in the next few days so that she and the kids can head to SA to be with Ryan.

Lots of prayers still required...please don't stop!!

Facebook

2009-08-05T16:59:00.001+03:00

AIM AIR is now on Facebook...you can search for it.

Farewell to a friend...

2009-08-05T14:01:00.000+03:00

...though not forever. Today I (Nathan) watched Ryan get loaded into a Cessna Citation jet for the trip to South Africa. He will be there for a few months to get stable and then the hope is to take him to the States closer to family. Almost everyone from the hangar was down at customs to wish him farewell, and they even let the ambulance stop outside the gate and they opened the doors so we could all see him before he left. It was a sweet time, but a sad one, as we say goodbye for now to a good friend.

On Monday, we went down and recovered the aircraft from the Kenya Police Air Wing hangar. It was an emotional time for me, as this was the first time that I saw it. I drove about four loads back to our hangar, where we now have the airplane arranged as best we can. So much of it is missing, whether due to fire or thievery we don't know. The entire back of the hangar has the awful smell of fire and death, and I don't think I will ever get that smell from my mind ever again. It is truly, truly amazing that Ryan even survived the accident. God must have some amazing reasons for sparing him. To look at that wreckage every day is going to be a long reminder to me...I will never, ever forget what happened.

Today, I got to lead the Wednesday version of chai time, our usual prayer time here in the hangar. Obviously, there are a lot of things I could talk about, considering the situation and all. I chose to speak about rest. The Bible talks a lot about rest, mostly in the OT referring to the rest that the Israelites would have once they settled in the promise land. There is also a lot of references to death where the term used is "rest" (referring to Christians going to be in heaven). And of course, there are plenty of Scriptures where "rest" is meaning the fact that God holds us in His hands. The latter two where were I focused today. We all know that Frank is now resting with his Lord. We take comfort in that...but we also have sadness and confusion in our minds because we are human. This is where we, as Christians, must rest in the knowledge that God is holding us in His hands...it is a shame that it takes a situation like this for us to really realize that. This whole thought process helped me a lot on Saturday night. I was having a really hard time even wanting to go to sleep...I watched Hidalgo courtesy of Kenyan TV, and then I spent a long time reading my Bible in the bathroom (the only room where I could turn on a light and not wake someone up). I went through Psalms, Isaiah, Hebrews, and lots of other passages that talk about resting and waiting on the Lord. This really has been a help for me during the past few days. We know that God truly is in control, even when we have no idea what the future holds. Our lives are in His hands and we can have the confidence that if we rest in Him, His will is going to be accomplished. We must wait patiently for Him; for He is the Lord.

Please go to the AIM AIR webpage here. They have begun some funds to help with Frank's family and Ryan's recovery. Please think about how you can be a part of helping the Toews family and also with Ryan's long recovery. They have also done a really good job with this web page; it is a reminder of Frank's love for the Lord.

Blessings to all...we love you.

Cessna U206G

2009-08-02T22:09:00.000+03:00

This is a stock photograph of a Cessna 206 like the one involved in the accident.

Tragedy in our midst.

2009-08-02T16:51:00.000+03:00

Yesterday at approximately 2:30pm Nairobi time, a Cessna 206 owned by AIM AIR crashed into some apartment buildings a short distance from our house in one direction, Kibera in the another direction, and Wilson airport in the other. The pilot Frank Toews was killed on impact. Ryan Williams, one of my closest friends here, was in the copilot seat and was severely injured. He is currently at Nairobi Hospital, undergoing surgeries for his broken hip, broken pelvis, broken patella, numerous very severe burns, and a number of deep lacerations. There were two passengers who escaped with fairly minor injuries and are receiving care also at NH.

The cause of the accident is still unknown. I don't want to make any speculations, but there are a number of news articles that you can find simply by searching the internet for "airplane crash nairobi." Below is one of the videos you can also find on the internet.

Please keep the families of those involved in your prayers. This is a very trying time for the AIM AIR family and much uncertainty lies ahead. Pray for the leadership of AIM and AIM AIR while decisions are made about the future of our organization.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear..." Psalm 46:1-2a

"Wait for the LORD; be stong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD."
Psalm 27:14

AIM AIR...who we are

2009-07-28T13:10:00.000+03:00

This is the new AIM AIR video that the On Field Media group put out this year.

All I can say is...fantastic.

Four Stories, One Heart from AIM On-Field Media on Vimeo.

When can we fly it?!

2009-07-27T13:01:00.000+03:00

That is the question that I will undoubtably be asked a whole bunch of times in the next week or so. Actually, I have already been asked it by many anxious pilots...

The reason that question has and will be asked is because we installed the propeller on 90U this week. It is a sweet looking new Hartzell Scimitar that is part of the Atlantic Aero IO-550-N installation. It really does look pretty neat.

We are waiting for Mr. Singh to come and install the fabric headliner in tomorrow morning. Then we will have Radio Base doing their final inspections, and we will have the airplane to ourselves again. Finishing off some interior installation and some touchups, and the plane will be even closer to being an operational airplane.

Meanwhile, here's some pictures of the prop being installed:

Here I am, torquing the prop nuts...you gotta make the the face when you're doing such a high amount of torque.

AIM AIR short term volunteer Kevin Blakeslee taking his turn at torquing the nuts...

...he had to really use a lot of his body to get into it. He's been helping me work on 90U.

Piston Fleet Supervisor Ryan Williams double-checking our torque...see, gotta make the face!

Kevin and the new prop.

Here she is, back in her corner by the stairs...but looking much better than a silver bullet.

Me and the airplane...as if you couldn't see that already.

Another week...more work

2009-07-21T12:55:00.000+03:00

So the end of last week and the beginning of this week, we have seen some good progress. We got the interior plastics painted and they have begun to be installed. Jerry is drawing to an end on his "rigging a 206" project. He is probably very happy to be close to being done, as he wants to get into flying soon. David Marwa has been doing some pitot static tests and is drawing his work to a close. We are awaiting a few parts to come so we can bring this project to a close soon.

Enjoy the pictures below...

Interior plastics after they were painted a light grey.

Interior plastic.

David working on some things under the instrument panel.

Looking like an instrument panel...

Getting better...

The panel is really coming together. I think by the end of the week, it will be complete.

Somebody said it looks like a Christmas ornament with the lights glowing through the paper on the windows.

Jerry Hurd...he's been working hard to get everything rigged correctly.

Sometimes, it takes a while to get something right where you want it.

Here's the first of the interior plastics after being installed. It's going to start looking like an operational airplane soon.