Im going to plug a movie for yall at this time - not necessarily KR news but
interesting aviation news.
As many of you know I grew up in the jungles of South America in a town
called Shell Mera in Ecuador. (named after the Shell oil company). In 1965
five missionaries were killed by the Waudoni indian tribe after an attempt to
reach them with the gospel. This was big news in the USA back then and
affected the lives of many people. One was my father who dedicated his life
to
the mission field and mission aviation in particular. While my dad started
and worked on his flight training and Bible studies the Waudoni were reached
peacefully by Rachel Saint and Elizabeth Elliot (wives of the killed
missionaries) Their efforts resulted in the Gospel transforming the tribe.
In 1974 we
moved to Ecuador and my dad served in Mission Aviation Fellowship as chief
pilot and mechanic. His dream of serving the Waudoni came to pass as he was
able to open the first airstrip serving this once violent tribe. Many among
the Waudoni are close personal friends of ours to this date. This August in
Oshkosh WI my daughter Elaine was able to meet Mincaye (one of the Waudani
that killed Nate Saint) and Steve Saint. Ill post pictures on Glenda's
website later (awesometrvl.com) The PA 14 used in the movie was on display.
There
are scenes of a PA14 being hacked up in the movie. That PA14 is one on
donation from my father for that use - not an airworthy plane at this time.
If
you get a chance and want to see a very interesting movie involving airplanes
and history I can recomend this one. There are some beautiful flying
sequences in it.
For more information about the history of the five missionaries there
are several options. "Beyond the Gates of Splendor" DVD is a great
documentary from the book by Elizabeth Elliot. "Jungle Pilot" is also a
great book
about the life of Nate Saint - the MAF pilot that was killed. These are
available at Christian bookstores all over.
Now the KR part - My dads first experimental was N2CC - a KR2 - Turbo
Revemaster - that was built in the jungle of Ecuador and first flew on
Thanksgiving day of 1981. It was the first homebuilt ever in Ecuador - and
maybe
South America at that time. They actually shut the town down and had a band
and
about 500 spectators lined up and down the runway - NO PRESSURE!!!! The
first flight went without a hitch and many more afterwards. I inherited the
plane and refurbished it and flew it to Sun and Fun in 1995. I sold it in
1996
to pay school bills and it was destroyed by the new pilot soon thereafter
(no fatalities).
That is a bit of my history and the ties I have to a very neat part of
the world. I hope you have a chance to see the film and promote some of the
better films out now.
Bill and 41768
