We passed the TE with new Tribes Mission Aviation!
What is the TE, you might ask?
The Technical Evaluation is the gateway into any large missionary aviation program. It is the test to see whether you have 'the right stuff' to make it as a missionary pilot/mechanic.
What is the TE, you might ask?
The Technical Evaluation is the gateway into any large missionary aviation program. It is the test to see whether you have 'the right stuff' to make it as a missionary pilot/mechanic.
NTMA's beautiful Kodiak that hasn't made it to Indonesia yet
The TE at New Tribes includes the following:
3 maintenance projects; each with different supervisor
3 maintenance projects; each with different supervisor
- Sheet metal fabrication: taking flat aluminum, cutting and bending it into shape, and then riveting it together while maintaining critical dimensions.
- Electrical troubleshooting: using a mock-up of an aircraft (complete with lights, switches, circuit breakers and other electrical components), troubleshoot and correct various electrical problems.
- Inspection of an engine accessory: using manuals and service bulletins from the manufacturer, properly inspect and service a part.
Like this wing, most of the plane is aluminum, so it's important to be proficient with sheet-metal work.
5 flights with 3 different flight instructors, in 2 different planes
- Takeoffs and landings
- Maneuvers and emergency
- Instrument flying and an instrument approach to an airport
- A low-level cross-country flight
Jamin with one of the NTMA flight instructors/evaluators.
Then on the last day of evaluation week, they all get together and talk about each candidate: strengths and weaknesses, maintenance and flight abilities, personality and attitude, etc. With all that information from six different people, they make a determination of whether each candidate passes or fails, then they send two of the group to tell you the news.
'Low-level Cross-Country' means you're below the peaks of mountains and can't fly a direct route.
With this evaluation complete, our next stop will be the NTM Missionary Training Center (MTC), where we and many other future missionaries with New Tribes will study how to communicate the gospel effectively to tribal people despite geographical, cultural, and language barriers.
The question now is no longer "IF" we are going with New Tribes, but "WHEN." We are now looking to the Lord regarding when we should start at the Missionary Training Center, whether this coming August, or in nearly a years' time, in January.
We feel like we have come to a fork in the road, and have now confidently stepped in one of two directions, knowing that this is the path God wants us to be on.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support during this critical time for us!
The question now is no longer "IF" we are going with New Tribes, but "WHEN." We are now looking to the Lord regarding when we should start at the Missionary Training Center, whether this coming August, or in nearly a years' time, in January.
We feel like we have come to a fork in the road, and have now confidently stepped in one of two directions, knowing that this is the path God wants us to be on.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support during this critical time for us!
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