jerry

AIM AIR in 2025

Posted by jerry | Jan 13, 2025 | Uncategorized |

AIM AIR in 2025 AIM AIR turns 50 years old this year! This milestone points to God’s provision and sovereignty. There have been many bumps along the journey. 2025 promises to have many more ups and downs. would you pray...

2024: Cleared for Departure

Posted by jerry | Dec 31, 2024 | Jerry's Writing, missionary aviation, Stories

2024: Cleared for departure Your generosity provided a way for more people to know about Jesus...

Launching our newest pilot

Posted by jerry | Nov 20, 2024 | blog, Flight Training, Jerry's Writing, missionary aviation |

The engine manifold pressure began to drop. We could hear the engine’s roar die down, and felt the airplane begin to settle.
I saw Phil’s head began to look around. He had noticed. He said, “There was an airstrip over here somewhere.” Simultaneously he began to lower the nose, and configure the airplane for an off airport landing.
“I have your power” I told him – thinking it is best to overcommunicate in these moments.
I had reduced his throttle to simulate an engine about to die.
“There it is!” Phil replied.
He pointed the airplane towards the other airstrip.
As we flew closer, I noticed the specs on the runway were actually moving. There was about fifty zebra and warthogs all enjoying the prime grazing on the runway.

Following the Nile

Posted by jerry | May 6, 2024 | Jerry's Writing, missionary aviation |

A few years ago one of our Cessna 206 airplanes stopped producing electrical energy to charge the battery. The pilot, flying over the swamps of South Sudan, knew he was hours from the capital city and decided to power off as much equipment as he could, including the GPS. He flew most of the way back using his compass, watch, and pilotage.

Fortunately, he could readily turn to and follow the world’s longest river, the Nile.

I noticed a clue AIM AIR was off course 12 years ago. A seasoned American missionary asked the question that haunts me to this day. “Why are you driving with us all the way up here [into a remote region of South Sudan] to survey an airstrip? We won’t be putting any western missionaries in this location.”

The river was bending.