The Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) operates in some of the most remote locations of the world, often developing countries, on routes that are not commercially viable and into airstrips that are often short and unpaved.
This type of operation requires aircraft with short take-off and landing performance, durability, with low capital and operating costs and doors that allow easy cabin loading, according to the Christian organisation, which uses aviation and other technology to give isolated people access to medical care, education, emergency relief, long-term development opportunities and "the good news of Jesus Christ". As a result, MAF has built up a 133-strong fleet based largely on Beech King Air 200s, the Cessna family of aircraft, de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otters and Gippsland Aeronautics GA8 Airvan.
MAF Australia, which is responsible for operations in the Asia-Pacific region, operates 35 aircraft - 15 Cessna 206s, 11 GA8 Airvans, four Twin Otters, three Cessna 172s and two Cessna 210s. MAF Australia oversees and supports programmes in Arnhem Land (northern Australia), Bangladesh, Cambodia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea.
Current and recent work includes responding to the devastation caused by cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh and providing emergency relief. "Our initial response has been to fly international aid and government organisations to assess the damage and loss, but as in Aceh, long-term relief and rehabilitation assistance will be needed," says MAF Australia.
In Papua New Guinea the organisation is providing emergency relief after recent severe flooding, initiating relief efforts in co-operation with government and aid agencies.
After the 26 December 2004 tsunami in Aceh, MAF provided emergency relief by assisting international aid agencies fly in medical, food and building supplies. The organisation continues to be one of the few agencies to remain to provide ongoing rehabilitation assistance, it says.
Last year in PNG alone, the organisation conducted over 470 medical evacuation flights and delivered more than 58t of medical supplies. It also delivered more than 690t of freight for community development, primarily produce to market, as well as building materials for bridges, houses and schools, and provided more than 3,474 seats on flights for teachers and health workers in remote areas.
The organisation is also active in training, operating an Aviation Training Centre in Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, which has trained more than 30 pilots in the country to commercial pilot level since 1986.
In partnership with the Bible College of Victoria, MAF also operates a Flight Training Centre in Coldstream, Victoria. As well as flight training, that centre provides training in aeronautical engineering, with the course designed to equip graduates to serve effectively as pilots or engineers within a mission aviation context, says MAF.
New aircraft
Future fleet development will see the international organisation acquire more Cessna 208 Caravans, as well as introducing a new type, the Quest Aircraft Kodiak, says MAF. The future development of the MAF Australia fleet will be based on the locally producedGA8 Airvan, with the organisation set to introduce two of the new turbocharged version next year.
"MAF's clients are typically citizens of developing countries, community development organisations, relief agencies and churches. Often these clients have smaller budgets and therefore value lower-cost air transport. Also, MAF is a charity and is reliant on donations to raise capital for new aircraft and to provide subsidies for medevac, emergency relief or community development flights," it adds.
MAF operations in East Timor save local NGO workers hours of difficult driving to deliver aid
Source: Flight International
