Fly4Him

Hey everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve shared an update. We’d like to let ya’ll know what we’re up to!

I recently meet the basic requirements for applying as a pilot/mechanic in mission aviation. After completion of my commercial pilot rating I was encouraged to pursue a certification for flight instruction. This will allow me to train student pilots. Training involves mastering commercial flight maneuvers from the right seat of the aircraft while being able to demonstrate and teach what I’m doing to a student. My instructor Jacob Miller takes the controls and “demonstrates” common student errors for me to recognize and correct. Much of the learning happens in the classroom as I prepare lessons for would be students and teach them; ready to dive in deep when Jacob poses me a question. We’ve been working on this for several months and my check ride is scheduled for late October.

I split my work week between working maintenance in the shop and flight training. On the maintenance side, as I gain in experience, I’ve been taking on roles such as leading aircraft 100 hr inspections and reorganizing tools and parts in our shop. Although flying is my main passion, I find fulfillment in maintaining our fleet of aircraft and our customers aircraft. The continued learning that comes from maintenance benefits me in understanding the aircraft I fly.

God continues to bring change to Compass Aviation. Over the last year we’ve had several new faces join us. We’re grateful for our leadership team and those who partner with Compass Aviation to help develop our training. We have three flight instructors and students flying our training aircraft every day.

Titus has become a big part of our lives; we’re enjoying every day with him. He’s 6 months old and always learning something new. Hannah and I are thankful for how well he’s growing and healthy he is. His bright smile and cries of delight have been bringing a joyful spirit to our little home. Hannah had some recovery postpartum but is doing well now and healthy as a horse.

Hannah has retired from her job at the machine shop to be a full-time mother. We’re thankful to be in a financial position to make this transition. Following this change, our monthly support need has risen and with it a need for more financial supporters. If God lays it on your heart would you prayerfully consider supporting us? Please feel free to connect with us, we would love to answer your questions.

*Decided to go ahead and share these memories. This was my draft for a newsletter at the end of 2022.*

Hey everyone! Staying busy around here. Here’s whats been going on.

Instrument training.

Compass shop activities including a massive yard sale and hangar improvements, along with new members joining.

Completed the condition inspection on the Van’s RV-12 and returned it to service.

Hannah in her race season.

Hannah and I attend as leaders alongside our church’s youth group as they participate in a week with Empowering Youth to Serve in Norfolk, VA.

Saying good bye to our good friends the Tilton’s and helping them make the move to Indiana.

Some moving happened for us this summer. My coworkers and I changed locations in Shelby and have upgraded from an apartment to a house. There’s now five of us sharing the rent. Elijah has rejoined us from Texas and my friend Guy found a job that moved him to Shelby. Hannah also moved when the location she was renting went up for sale. God provided a place for her around the bend from her previous location where she could stay close to her work.

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” – 1 John 5:4

Howdy! God’s working in my life this year. I’m excited to share these highlights with you.

Putting my powerplant license to use! With my license I’ve stayed busy performing engine 100 hour inspections and doing customer oil changes in the shop this year.

90V, our rental Cessna 172, has been flying consistently since its engine change last winter. She’s quite the flying machine! I’ve been getting some good time in it. I went north and found snow, went east and found ocean, went west and found my best friend in her championship race. Be praying that we may continue work on 81G, our second Cessna 172 aircraft. We need it finished to share some of the heavy work load with 90V.

I completed some spin recovery training. It was good fun performing spins, hammerhead stalls, and even a full loop in a Citabria aerobatics aircraft. As pilots we train to not put our aircraft into a spin during flight, but it’s necessary to understand what happens in a spin and how to recover from it. Though this training is only a requirement for a Flight Instructor license I went ahead and got the endorsement completed while the opportunity was available to me.

Passed my Instrument written test with an 85%! Now with much anticipation I’m beginning my instrument flight training. I’ll be developing my understanding of weather systems and flight in poor conditions. This knowledge is extremely important. I may be flying in foreign undeveloped countries where resources to check weather are limited.

God continues to lend His hand of provision to us. Injuries and health issues has brought many challenges to the shop this year. At the same time our ministry here at the shop, with customers and those our path cross, continues to expand as God brings opportunity. We’ve had many encounters with those seeking truth this year. Pray for us as we approach opportunities and strive to be wise stewards of the resources God has given us.

My favorite news to share is my best friend Hannah. She’s been a great sidekick this year helping me with projects, sharing in adventures, volunteering at the shop, and studying together. She has a passionate love for God and a heart to be part of my ministry on the mission field. She’s been a wonderful teammate as we continually seek God’s leading for our life.

Prayer Request

Flight training funds for my Instrument Pilot License.

I’ve been experiencing sleep deprivation and remaining awake at night the last few weeks. Pray that I can get the rest I need.

Hello! Its been a full summer and I’m excited to see God at work in my life, at the airport, and in the lives of others around me. Here’s an update on what I’ve been doing recently.

I’ve put my new mechanic certificate to use! I performed the engine inspection of our Cessna 172 training aircraft when it came in for its 100-hour inspection. I put my signature in the logbook and wrote my certificate number as “Pending” since I haven’t received my permanent government-issued card with my certificate number yet.

It’s been busy in the shop with my fellow coworkers coming and going over the summer. We had a break in work, so I installed the new carburetors on our RV-12, following the procedures to sync operation of the dual carbs. To perform the procedures I needed the engine nice and wam. Because of the noise I decided to taxi it away from the hangar. It looked funny without the wings on it! A business jet flew in and there I was, taxiing past them as if I was headed toward the runway. The pilots of the jet got a laugh and told me it confused their passengers.

I’ve enjoyed flying our Glassair Sportsman. It’s a different experience from flying the Cessna 172, an aircraft I used for my flight training. I’ve been taking the Sportsman to different airports and using it to run our customers back home after they deliver their plane to us for maintenance.

Earlier this summer I took a week and went as a leader with our church youth to volunteer as a group at a camp in Fairmont, NC. Camp4Heroes is a non-profit that provides a place of refuge and restoration to veterans of military and public service. I worked with the youth teaching them how to use power tools, interacting with them in Bible study, and helping them to complete work projects around the camp. It was an encouraging experience as we talked through struggles the young Christians have been experiencing at home, and I saw them grow in their faith.

My evenings and weekends have been a variety of extracurricular activities recently.

My roommate Nate bought a boat and fixed it. He took us on the lake after work one evening. I got flight lessons on the inflatable. 😀

My brother-in-law and I took my truck on its first off-roading adventure recently. We managed to conquer all the obstacles. I have a feeling I’ll get more off-road experiences when I move overseas. 

I also spent a Saturday team-building with my friends, playing airsoft at a local field. The owner of the place is supportive of Compass Aviation and even has one of our old scrap planes in the field.

Prayer Request

Studying for my Instrument Pilot written test

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Hey friends! I’ve recently felt nudged by the Lord to return to my support raising. I don’t know what my plan is at the moment. Friends have encouraged me to start writing a monthly newsletter. I think its a good place to start. Let me know if you like this content.

So a good place to start is that I am now a licensed aircraft mechanic! This was not an easy task and is something I’ve been working hard at for several years with Compass Aviation. I got the privilege of being the first candidate from Compass to test with our in house DME (Designated Maintenance Examiner) John Watt. I now have my Powerplant license and will add my Airframe license later.

I completed a checkout in our Glasair Sportsman N461CA. We have modified this plane with larger wheels and a belly pod to equip it for missions work. Its a capable machine. I’ve been practicing short and soft runway procedures with it.

Now that my sister is married I’ve moved to sharing an apartment with Caleb and Elijah twenty minutes from the airport. This reduces my travel time during the week and the wear on my vehicles. It’s helped me be consistent with my study time and have extra time for devotions and fellowship. On Wednesday nights we have a Bible study and take turns preparing a meal. Its been a really good change and I return home during the weekends

For the first time all three of my vehicles are in working condition. This has relieved stress and I’m happy to have my motorcycle as my daily driver again.

Prayer Request for June

• Figuring out support raising
• Creating a healthy pattern for my week

 

Welcome to my website and blog Fly4Him! My name is Caleb Warner and I will be sharing my experiences as I seek and pursue God’s leading for me in life and mission aviation. On the home page you will find recent updates on my training progress. Information about myself, my goals, and how you can help me are included on the other tabs. Thanks for checking in!