INSPIRATION AVIATION MINISTRIES
OUR STORY
Co-founders Roscoe Bartlett and George Niemann began Inspiration Aviation Ministries (IAM) with the goal to serve the Lord Jesus through aviation. As the ministry progressed, that original broad goal remained the same, but the mission gained focus to provide flight training and airplane mechanic (A&P) training to high school aged students. In 2016, IAM began hosting an annual summer camp for teenagers. IAM’s vision is for these young adults to use their aviation skills to serve in Christian missions.
This camp offers a week of flight training, ground school, and A&P mechanic training to the teens from FAA certified flight instructors and mechanics. In the summer of 2021, IAM began working with Wings of Grace Ministries to expand the program. This new partnership brings the opportunity for teenagers to participate in ground school and flight training throughout the year.
Located in the heart of central Maine, IAM utilizes access to a local grass landing strip as a training ground for students who will eventually be flying in remote locations around the globe.
OUR PROGRAMS
Our activities are geared toward promoting Christian character, fellowship, mentorship, faith, and encouragement. IAM includes Bible study, prayer, and fellowship in all of our activities, and we also participate in local youth events.
MISSIONS FLIGHT TRAINING PROGRAM
“But the Lord said to me:
‘Do not say, “I am a youth,”
For you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.”
Jeremiah 2:7-8
Those high school and pre-college young adults who would like to eventually work in Christian missions have the opportunity to do flight training in IAM’s PA28-161 Piper Warrior airplane. IAM offers affordable airplane rental and flight instructor options to these mission-minded teenagers as a way to help support them on their journey to the mission field.
GROUND SCHOOL PROGRAM
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself... As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”
Daniel 1:8a, 17
IAM along with Wings of Grace Ministries will be offering a weekly ground school for teenagers. The class is taught by a certified flight instructor, and is designed to prepare the students to pass their Private Pilot FAA written exams.
SUMMER AVIATION CAMP
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
Teen aviation camp has been at the core of IAM’s ministry for half a decade. The week-long summer camp is geared toward teenagers between the ages of fourteen and twenty years old. Each student who attends receives at least five hours of flight instruction, plus ground instruction and A&P experience. Each camp day begins with Bible devotions, and there is a strong emphasis on missions aviation throughout the week.
A&P AIRPLANE MECHANIC PROJECT
“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord...Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant hears.”
1 Samuel 3:1, 10
The longest-standing project in IAM’s ministry is a Challenger II light sport airplane that was donated to IAM as a kit plane. IAM students have the opportunity to meet together and learn A&P mechanic skills as they build this airplane piece by piece. This build has been in progress since 2013, and continues to be a teaching tool for teenagers who wish to enhance their A&P skills through hands-on experience.
