Last Tuesday was my first day of work on aircraft since arriving in PNG. I had started the previous week before conference but that involved in getting settled and mainly reading manuals. And prior to Madang, was just orientation around the workplace. It was such a big thing to finally start work after being in the country for two months and being through so much to get here. Not just in the last two months, or six months, but the last several years. Six years really to the first thought and desire of it all.
I was not really sure what to expect as I have felt pretty out of engineering, as I haven’t really worked on aircraft for 18 months (even though I spent a few weeks prior to leaving home). This was one of my main concerns coming to PNG, especially being very different aircraft to what I am use to. But I knew that God wanted me here, He had been preparing me for years for this and would equip me. And it has been such an encouragement the way God has really enabled me to get back into Engineering, even though it’s only been five days now. I have been learning a lot, being refreshed a lot and thinking the way work requires. We work 0730-1630 Monday to Friday, and can involve overtime depending how the check is going.
Most of the engineers are Papua New Guineans, there are only a few white skins. Most of the staff for MAF in Mt Hagen are nationals. It has been really good working alongside my black skin brothers and sisters in Christ. But also resuming friendships from late 2005. I brought a little mini HiFi system prior to coming that plays DVD MP3 discs. In the morning I play way of the master radio and in the afternoon play a huge range of music, mainly rock. And the guys have loved having that in the hanger, before it was very quiet in the hanger.
Last week saw us handle three aircraft checks, the third one which we just finished prior to lunch today. The first one was a B check on a Twin Otter (our largest aircraft, but is still small to anything else I ever worked on). This check is carried out every 125 flying hours, these aircraft range from 28-40 years old. The check started Tuesday morning and was due to finish on Friday. But we were able to finish the check by Thursday afternoon, allowing the aircraft to be free for service on the Friday. Which was a great accomplish considering how much work is involved. I spent the whole check working on the wings, which involved a day of inspections and the rest doing rectifications (fixing).
On the Thursday some of us started a 50 hourly on a Cessna 206 (every 50 flying hours). This check normally takes half a day, as long nothing too serious requires fixing. I spent the check working on the engine, which I really enjoy. And on Friday saw us start a 100 hourly on another Cessna 206 (every 100 flying hours). This normally takes around 3-4 days to complete, and again working on engine.
So after being in the country two months, it has been really good to slowly get setup in Mt Hagen. The last week has been quite busy and tiring settling into a new place and working. I still have no internet at home yet, still waiting and I really don’t have any spare time at work. So hopefully will be online soon.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Oh man… you look hardcore standing beside that plane… just need grease all over your face to complete the picture. hahaha
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July 15th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
You look really good beside those planes dude, I'm really happy to hear things are going well. Good timing for the barrels to arrive too.
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