Chapter News

North Carolina Chapter

Chapter President Brian Dwan reports their chapter has been working on getting more pilots qualified in our chapter owned and operated Cessna 320 Skynight. They will do "loss of engine" training in Piper Seminoles which are available through various training schools in the Carolinas. They want to avoid the stresses of single engine work on their turbo-charged aircraft and also hope to benefit from the knowledge of a full-time instructor. They currently have 3 qualified pilots and hope to increase that number to 5 or more in the near future. They were recently unable to participate in a mission due to the lack of qualified pilots and hope to remedy this problem.

Their 320 has recently been the recipient of a new paint job thanks to the donation of Imron paint ($375/gallon) from a local automotive supplier. Mr. Tony Conner, a chapter officer and aircraft mechanic (A&P-IA), donated more of his time and talents and completed the first-rate paint job in just over 2 days of down time. Thanks go out once again to Mr. Conner for his dedication to the chapter and its mission. North Carolina Chapter looks forward to providing a much-needed non-ambulatory transport service with this airplane and thanks our Lord for providing them with this opportunity.

The North Carolina Chapter continues to receive donations in memory of Colonel James Burke (US Army, retired). They provided non-ambulatory transport for Colonel Burke from Florence, South Carolina to Westchester, Pennsylvania in early May. This mission continues to be a special blessing to the chapter. Contributions from this one mission alone will allow them to update their C-320 with new gyro instruments and a new nav/com radio. Special thanks and an honorary membership to Mr. Vince Burke (Colonel Burke's son) for his commitment to Pilots for Christ. Colonel Burke was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors last month.

Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter

On June 19-22nd, the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter of Pilots for Christ presented the ministry of PCI to those attending the Sentimental Journey Fly-In at William T. Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Eastern Pennsylvania chapter members Ray Hartman, Bob Miller and John and Lorraine Stegman were in attendance to minister at the fly-in. They distributed tracts, Gospel booklets and distributed information about PCI. PCI members Bob and Judy Francia from Cincinnati, Ohio assisted them.
		Bob Miller (right) at Fly-In

Florida Chapter

On July 8^th, the Florida chapter received a Piper Turbo Aztec model C as a combination gift-purchase, reports Bob Lehton, chapter president. The aircraft is fully equipped with avionics to include a storm scope. It has long range tanks and a cargo door. With a cruise speed of 210 knots and a range of 1500 NM, it is an ideal aircraft to support the chapter's missions to the southern Islands of Dominion Republic and Haiti and to South America. The cargo door is helpful in loading and unloading stretchers.

This new plane brings the chapter up to four aircraft along with a Piper Saratoga and a Cessna 172 to support ministries within Florida and to the Bahamas, and a Cessna 152 for training.

Oregon Chapter

On Saturday, June 16th, the Oregon chapter hosted Steve Gareese and the Trail of Life Ministry youth for a barbecue and an introduction to the joys of aviation and Jesus! It was a FANTASTIC success! The Lord provided 5 airplanes to fly the teens around the area. Jeff McConnell, Jim Carpenter, Dave Cook, Reed Murphy and other pilots volunteered their time and planes to minister to adolescent youth of Grants Pass. Chaplain John Kenyon gave a gripping message about salvation, moving our knowledge of Jesus Christ from our heads to our hearts. God blessed us with a wonderful time of ministry and fellowship. A special thanks to everyone who participated.

Virginia Chapter

The Virginia chapter flew a heavy schedule of mercy flights through late April, May and June. The flights ranged from Crossville, Tennessee and Ann Arbor, Michigan Arbor (two trips) on the west and to New New Brunswick, Canada on the north and Daytona Beach, Florida on the south. The Lord's guidance was evident on all the missions providing "a way where there seemed to be no way" to fly in many instances plus provided the finances to fly the missions.

Having sufficient finances was a real test of our faith during the above period. Our chapter treasury was getting low and funds were needed not only for fuel, but also an insurance payment was due on the chapter Aero Twin Commander and for maintenance costs. We were getting down to the wire by mid-June. We knew the Lord wanted us to fly the missions and we trusted He would help us buy the needed fuel as well as meet our bills. Praise God for His faithfulness! Money came in from various sources and we were able to pay all bills in full. We know that we can continue to trust God's promise that "He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus"! And, it is usually in His timing, not ours!

Arkansas Chapter

Our chapter awarded a special flight and "lunch for two" to two Highland High School graduates in connection with the Alcohol/Drug Free all night lock-in following their graduation. Bobby Harris flew them to the nationally known, Gaston's Trout Resort, in a Cessna Cardinal. Tracy Reedy, on the right, invited her friend Rebecca Phillips to join her. Tracy will enter the University of Arkansas this fall on a music scholarship and Rebecca will attend Arkansas State University.

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