Turbine Engines Exposed
IS IT A
MATCH?
... God’s call, your skills, MAF’s vision and opportunities ... A mock-up of the turbine engine run stand. Photo by Phil Nelson.
I
n its search to create better ways to train its world-class mechanics, MAF’s ingenuity knows no bounds. Case in point? The new turbine engine run stand currently under construction.
For about a decade, MAF has utilized an engine stand with a run out Cessna 206 engine to train mechanics on piston engines. But as MAF has purchased more planes like the Kodiak and Caravan that are powered by turbine engines, mechanics need maintenance training on those machines, too. Engine stands enable instructors to actually run an engine outside of a plane, creating a more dynamic teaching environment. Instead of talking about what they might see, instructors can create the conditions to see it. But this can be very costly.
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It will be a critical tool in helping train our mechanics.
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Last summer former MAF staff member Gerald Dafoe—now a dedicated volunteer—got MAF’s turboprop engine stand project off the ground, so to speak. Two generous financial gifts helped as well.
Gerald found a flatbed truck to hold the turbine engine. MAF also needed a way to protect the mechanics from the exhaust gas. Gerald located a tractor-trailer sleeper cabin that fits the bill. The propeller and engine are mounted in front of the sleeper cabin. Technicians operate the engine from inside. The air brakes on the truck help keep the engine from moving.
Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed. MAF has opportunities for ... Teachers —For MAF missionary children Learning Technologies Specialists —Programmers —E-Learning specialists —App developers —Teacher/trainers IT Specialists Pilot/mechanics Aircraft mechanics Learn more at …
www.MAFrecruiting.org 1-(800)-FLYS-MAF (359-7623) recruiting@maf.org
“It’s going to look like an interesting contraption––but it is going to be safe and practical,” said MAF’s Dan Rogers, who helps oversee the volunteers in the machine shop. “It will be a critical tool in helping train our mechanics.” Spring 2013 | www.maf.org
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