He always had an interest in flying but his first real flight was when the newly-married Colin and Melva Winch travelled to the Solomon Islands to take up their first mission post. On furlough, Colin obtained his commercial pilot’s license and, working with fellow pioneer pilot Len Barnard, flew the first Seventh-day Adventist mission planes, reaching the remote areas of Papua New Guinea and across into the islands of the Pacific.
“As a junior at camp-meeting, I always sat riveted to the edge of my seat when Pastor Winch was speaking. Nobody could tell a story like him. Stories of close landings, lives being changed, hope being shared, the gospel going to the Pacific islands. These stories are worth treasuring—an inspiring record of pioneer aviation and mission, and what God can do when we go on an adventure with Him.” –Gary Krause, Director, Office of Adventist Mission, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
