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Mission Complete. SAMI's hanger becomes a reality! Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 - 8:00am The hanger construction was complete. The certificate of occupancy was achieved. All that was left was time to Praise God and throw a move in party. There had been so much that happened to make this moment a reality. From the vision of the Board of Directors from years past, to the dedicated efforts of members and supporters to bring this dream to fruition, it was a day that couldn't come soon enough. Starting at 8:00am, about 20 volunteers came out to help move aircraft, parts, furniture and other equipment into the new hanger. With so many people helping, they made short order of the work, completing all of the main goals by mid-morning. The Piper Saratoga which is still under repair was the first to christen the floors of the hanger. The Aztec was towed over, followed shortly after that by the Cessna 172. A large portion of the hanger will also be used for maintenance and upkeep of the aircraft. SAMI would like to thank everybody who contributed to make this dream a reality. Most importantly, we praise GOD who generously blesses us with His spirit, His power and His provision to make a way when there is no way. We are looking forward to all that GOD will do through SAMI and its members to glorify HIM. Praise GOD!
The hanger entrance from the parking lot.
Moving over supplies, part and aircraft equipment.
Cooling off with an open air truck ride!
The move-in was blessed with many dedicated volunteers.
The Saratoga engine being relocated for installation.
Installing the board for an office in the back of the hanger.
Moving lumber for the office construction.
Working hard, building friendships, and glorifying God.
Towing over the Piper Aztec.
The Cessna 172 arrives to its new home for the first time.
Dick Blondin taxied the 172 over from the old hanger.
SAMI's three aircraft fit like a glove in their new home.
Dedicated members and volunteers serving Christ.
SAMI's completed hanger. A beacon of hope. The light of Christ.
Come to SAMI's Move In Party... You're invited! Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 - 8:00am PRAISE GOD for his faithfulness in seeing this project through to completion. All inspections by the county have been passed, and the certificate of occupancy has finally been issued! Servant Air Ministries Inc. is cleared to enter its new hanger, and we want to invite you to join us in celebrating! Come enjoy the festivities January 2nd at 8:00 in the morning to get the hanger organized, praise GOD and enjoy a time with others who have contributed to make this hanger a reality. If you get lost, just look for the COI airport beacon. The hanger is located right beside it. Thank you for your continued support in helping people experience God's word by spreading the gospel through aviation. We look forward to seeing you at the hanger on Saturday morning!
Update - God provides before we know what we need... It is just like God to provide before we even know our own needs. When the original shipment of side panels came, there were five extra side panels that were included in the order that were never ordered. During the wind damage, there were a total of 5 side panels damaged. Coincidence? Not with God. He is the giver of life, and he is the one that gets the glory through this project! SAMI also put a bible in the foundation that was poured to make sure that our foundation is on Jesus Christ and nothing less. The side door stairs were completed. Next, the hanger door will be placed. A certificate of occupancy should be received sometime in November, and SAMI will officially take residence in its new hanger. Please pray for all of the final details to be completed on time.
The 'front driveway' was poured with concrete.
The new storage area for SAMI materials and aircraft parts.
The side entry door directly from the parking lot.
Update - Hanger Construction wind damage Just as the construction was nearing completion for the new Servant Air Ministries Hanger, the wind decided to be overzealous in its celebration, and caused some damage. The front side aluminum paneling was folded like an accordion before it could be secured to the underlying structure. While this may be a minor setback, SAMI is still looking forward to the near future when it will be able to take its aircraft inside, so they too don't experience any wind damage.
Wind damaged front side paneling.
View from the roadway, looking toward the hanger.
One week earlier, before the side paneling was installed.
Update - Hanger Construction has begun! The new Servant Air Ministries Hanger construction is now underway. The foundation has been poured, and the truss structure is already built. In the coming weeks, SAMI is looking forward to the roof, hanger door and walls being completed. Completion for the project is still on track for the end of September. Praise GOD for continually providing exactly what's been needed at just the right time.
Land cleared to make way for the hanger.
Foundation poured for a solid structure and ministry.
Materials arrive for construction.
Materials ready for building.
Truss structure built to house SAMI's aircraft and ministry.
A fifteen year vision being realized.
Construction on track to be completed at the end of September.
The Merritt Island airport rotating beacon. There is no coincidence that SAMI's new hanger is placed right beside the beacon, so SAMI can point others to Jesus Christ who is the beacon of hope in our lives and for our world.
The airport authority and county regulators
have approved all permits for the construction of the new Servant Air Ministries
Hanger. Over a decade of praying and years of hard work and dedication are
coming to fruition. The hanger is finally on the eve of being constructed. All
of the building materials have already been delivered to the site, and the land
has been leveled to ready pouring of the concrete slab. The foundation should be
poured within a couple of weeks, with the long awaited hanger on track to be
complete within 2 months, possibly sooner. Jesus Christ, who is the real
foundation of this project, and will continue to be the foundation of Servant
Air Ministries Inc., has made our hearts glad to see how He has provided the
people, the location, the funds and his grace to realize this project. SAMI is
looking forward to soon having a presence on the field in Merritt Island
Airport. Update - Groundbreaking on the New Hanger With the Servant Air Ministries Board of Directors in attendance, the official ground breaking ceremony for the new hanger was conducted on June 27th, 2009. Construction of the new hanger is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009.
SAMI's board of directors officially break
ground on the new hanger.
This is the site where the new hanger will
be constructed.
SAMI's New address already has the mailbox
on the fence! Update - Groundbreaking Once the county approved the pre-site plan, SAMI has been ensuring the hanger project is continuing at a steady pace. Final drawings of the hanger structure have been sealed and submitted to the county for approval. The proposed structure has undergone some modifications since SAMI has changed builders, awarding the contract to a local company based in Rockledge, Florida. The new building will be steel and concrete, making it three times stronger than the previously proposed structure. The land is currently being prepped, in
anticipation of the ceremonial ground breaking and foundation pouring before the
end of the year. The Civil Air Patrol trailer has been relocated, paving the way
to allow space for SAMI's new hanger. The next step is to obtain permitting from
the county. Pray for continued progress and God's provision in this endeavor. Update - Building Site Approval by County Perhaps the largest obstacle in building the
hanger has been overcome. St. John's authority has granted building permit
approval to SAMI for the construction of its new hanger. The pre-site drawings
were approved by all departments in the county, paving the way to begin clearing
the property and constructing the hanger. Clearing of the area should begin in
September, with construction to follow soon afterwards. CAP has graciously
agreed to move their existing Civil Air Patrol trailer from the property to make
way for the hanger. Hanger is purchased Today, we put down a 30% deposit for the hanger structure with the balance due upon delivery. We have almost completed the St. John's Water Management and final review of our site plans without any problems. We are also cleared to take down the CAP trailer with the Sheriff's inmates as soon as the antenna and inside furnishing's are removed by the CAP. The hanger continues to move along at a terrific pace!
SAMI officially signed a 20 year ground lease at the Merritt Island Airport on January 1st, 2008. This lease includes two 5 year optional extensions at the end of the 20 years. The Piper Aztec has already been moved and tied-down on the newly acquired land. Art Burger is helping with drawings, zoning, and is making sure the timeline to build the hanger continues on target. Art has extensive experience with building projects, and is a blessing to Servant Air during this exciting time in the ministry. Roger Shover is aiding as the contractor for the project. Architectural drawings were started by DROOR and Associates on January 10th, 2008. Site Surveying began January 21, 2008.Where do we go from here? TICO airport authority needs to approve the architectural drawings. Once that happens, SAMI can go to county agencies for zoning and permitting, followed by commencement of construction. To date, $28,000 in donations has already been collected.
2. PRAY!
3. Work Parties
HISTORY Servant Air Ministries is blessed with an incredible opportunity to realize a decade long dream. Since the inception of Servant Air Ministries in 1993, The Board of Directors has had a vision of having a permanent presence on the Merritt Island airport. The dream of having a hanger for the SAMI aircraft, a maintenance shop, and an airport chapel is quickly becoming a reality. Dick Todd, Vice President of SAMI, has been diligently striving to secure a lease on a plot of land next to the beacon of the Merritt Island airport. Ironically, SAMI has been used by God as a beacon of hope for many people over the last 14 Years, and will continue to be salt and light in the years to come. The motion to build a hanger has been approved by the airport authority, with revisions to be made on the 'ground' lease conditions required for final approval from the TICO airport authority. The final revision will be presented to the airport director in the third week of September. Dick Todd doesn't see any issues that would hold up moving the building project forward. However, zoning, blueprints, and permits still need to be completed. Completing these requirements a few months before starting construction is a reasonable goal.
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