Engine Overhaul – This Week In The Hangar

I have been working in the engine shop for several days, and I really enjoy it. I jumped in with another mechanic on the final reassembly phase of an engine that we are overhauling. It is one of the engines on a twin-engine airplane flown by Arctic Barnabas. That organization works in the remote regions of northern Alaska, encouraging and equipping isolated pastors. The pilots fly long distances over empty and hostile terrain, so their engines need to be reliable.

I find the engine shop work rewarding. It is fun to see the pieces fit together to make a complete engine, freshly painted and clean. I like the details that go into making sure all the parts are correct and the instructions are followed properly. Friday I took this picture to show all the books we were using; I mean that we were using them all, too, since each one references another. It takes determined focus and good short-term memory to get to the point. In aviation, following the directions is not optional. You will loose your license if you get caught “winging it.”

Here’s a sample: Friday I was installing fuel injector lines. The fuel lines are the subject of an Airworthiness Directive, which is a mandatory maintenance action. That AD referred to a 30-page Service Bulletin, which covered a dozen or so different engines. Additionally, the Overhaul Manual referenced two Service Instructions from the engine manufacturer. It took 20 minutes to get a handle on what I was supposed to do. When it all boils down, the instructions could be paraphrased “If the lines are damaged, replace them.” It took longer to do the cross-referencing than to do the required inspection, which I would have done anyway.

But I thought that was fun.

This morning we finished assembling that engine on the build stand, except for a few last-minute items. The next step will be to put it in the test cell and run the the engine over the course of several days, making final adjustments and ensuring everything is working properly. There is another engine in the test cell right now, so our engine will just hang out here for now.

As I was working, I kept thinking about the link between an engine, which is just a bunch of metal parts, and the invaluable souls of men and women in the far North. When this engine is running, it will be a vehicle to carry encouragement and life to those dark reaches (and it is dark, both physically and spiritually). There are many layers between my tool and the suicidal teenager in northern Alaska. A pastor, a regional director, a pilot, the airplane, another mechanic, an inspector, a dispatcher, an airport manager… I could go on. My work on the engine seems far removed from the ultimate receiver of the Message. Yet, I know that this fuel line needs to reliably deliver a steady stream of fuel for hours on end so that all those other people can be effective in their ministry. That makes me excited about things like getting all the Service Bulletins straight, and making sure torque values are right, and double checking the part number on a washer. “Whatever you do, do it for the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Collossians 3:17, paraphrased)

On a personal note, our family went out for a walk yesterday to soak in the springy weather. We have a really nice park up the road where the Ohio & Erie Canal used to lie. The lock foundations are still in place, along with some other canal artifacts. It makes a nice evening stroll. The kids were happy about it, too.

God is at work in the world. He promised that His word would not be sent out in vain. Everywhere you look is an opportunity to help open doors and soften hearts to receive that Word. Make it count!