Conference 2008

 Servant Partnership. Keynote speaker Jon Lewis (President of Partners International and a former MAF pilot) believes it is the foundational baseline that gives mission aviation its purpose, and that a life centered on servant partnership can have a ripple effect throughout all eternity. Jon brought five messages to us, guiding us to understand that our role in a partnership is to begin with serving. Dr. Bill Robinson, president of Whitworth University, brought a message of the seven keys to unity in the body of Christ at the banquet. With that background, Spokane Turbine Center reported on their efforts to provide turbine training to mission aviators. The purchase of Kodiak SN 001 and the lease of a huge hangar and adjacent administration building at Spokane’s Felts Field gave them a huge boost in getting started. UHL Technologies reported that their Flight Reconstruction equipment is now available for sale. LeTourneau reported on their experiences with Thielert engines, and especially their product support woes. MSI reported on two accidents in the past year that affect AIRMAP, as well as the RSVP developments and emerging synthetic vision technology that has a potential for positive safety impact in missions. Many missions and schools reported on their work in the past year. Considerable excitement was generated by the discussion surrounding the possibility of mission aviation being a feature of Oshkosh 2009. A separate ladies’ tea with their own speaker was also held, but the icing on the cake for everyone was a tour of the Quest factory in Sandpoint, Idaho. Throughout the conference, strengthening relationships and working together for the sake of God’s glory were in everyone’s mind. We were all encouraged by the desire, expressed on the part of so many, to work together whenever possible.