Agape Flights in need.

[The Rogue]

I initially became a member of this site to discuss my new "job" which is going to be managing a 1973 337 for Agape Flights. They are a missions organization and are planning on expanding to better serve the island of Hispaniola and the Caribbean.

I have been a member for a while, and don't post much. I mainly listen, but I thought that this would be a thing that was worth posting for the common good.

My wife and I are currently raising support so that we can go and be the aircraft operators of the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic base. (Check out www.agapeflights.com for all the info.)

Last week, the Cessna 208 Caravan (N954PA) that supplies over 350 missionaries in Hispaniola had a complete engine failure and was ditched in the Caribbean. The pilots got out okay, and that is great!

The down side is this leaves us no aircraft to serve the missionaries for at least "90-120 days" according the insurance company contacts.

The 337 is still undergoing an extensive annual and refurbishment. It is in Florida right now, but was brought there under a ferry permit and will go no further any time soon. It is a good bird, but we are still compiling the list of things that are to be fixed.

What Agape is looking for is any aircraft that is available to be rented, borrowed, loaned, leased or otherwise acquired so that the supply lines between the US and Haiti/DR will remain open. Is there any one that has an aircraft available? Do you know anyone with an aircraft that is available? If you do you can email me, or call Agape directly and talk to Charlie Gardner. My wife talked to Charlie today, and things sound pretty rough right now. The operation is on hold until we can find some air support.

Let me know if you have ANY leads that I can run down, or if there is any way you can help. It is hard to adequately describe exactly how much this organization does for the people of that impoverished island.

I really appreciate your help, and I look forward to pestering you all with numerous questions as I transition to the 337 this fall.

Thank you,
--Matt Rogers

[Skymaster337B]

I have to recommend no more single engine airplanes for over water flights. So I hope you'll find a good multi for your mission.

[The Rogue]

We are currently looking into a Beech 1900 or something of that nature to keep the supply lines open.

If anyone has any leads on anything that is lease-able or borrow-able, please let us know.

--Matt Rogers

[tropical]

A Beech 1900 is a very expensive plane to operate, about 5 times the cost of a Caravan.