Moses Lake man flies high to help others

MOSES LAKE - Dave Watson is hoping to use his love of flying to help reach those in need many miles away.

The Moses Lake resident is trying to record enough flight hours in his small, single engine, Piper Cherokee to earn a commercial pilot's license, in order to fly mission trips around the world. His next trip is to Siberia in May.

Watson attends the Missionary Alliance Church, and is training through the Missionary Aviation Training Academy.

Growing up, his stepfather was a pilot and Watson actually began flying when he was 9.

He said he always knew that he loved to fly; the speed, the escape, the adventure, all lured him in.

It was a message from God that steered him in this direction.

Watson said that in 2009, after retiring from the U.S. Navy he made some very poor decisions, and was jailed in the Seattle area.

He said he was in a funk, and God helped to pull him out. He said God steered him back to his first love of flying, and also a new direction.

"I was called to be a missionary, and I knew I had a special gift that I should use," he said.

After he told his mom and stepfather about his new direction in life, he was surprised to learn that they bought him a plane.

It was a fixer-upper, a 40-year-old plane that needed a new engine, but had an attractive price tag.

On a cold day in early February, Watson warms up the engine of his Piper, almost the most basic of basic planes, he explains. He stores it at the Moses Lake Municipal Airport, because it is small and easy to get in and out of.

He has to spend about 45 minutes blowing hot air into the engine compartment to warm up the battery and other components. He uses the time to check the exterior of the aircraft and call in his expected flight pattern to the nearby Grant County International Airport.

"You don't want to get in the way of the big guys," he says.

He is in training, and takes a moment to ensure a land-loving reporter that he will not try any rolls, or steep drops.

"A good pilot once told me that I shouldn't scare the passenger," he pauses, "at least not on the first flight."

Watson says that he enjoys his training, cruising over the Gorge, commenting on all the crop circles that dot Grant County.

He picks out hiking trails and places to take his kayak, while in flight. He loves the view and is always planning his next trip.

His next mission trip is in May, with his wife Tina. They are hoping to complete a building for an alcohol and drug rehab facility in Siberia. They raised about half of the $5,600 needed to cover their travel expenses and building materials.

They also want to reach out to the orphans in the region and hope to return with supplies for them.

Anyone who wants to help can visit the church website www.spcc.tv, select the Resource tab, then choose online giving.

Visitors should designate the gift to Short Term Mission Trips and type "Russia" in the memo line.