An aviation conference in Port Moresby honoured Mission Aviation Fellowship’s 72 years of service to the nation’s most isolated communities.
Story by Mandy Glass and Sean Atkins
Papua New Guinea’s 8th annual Civil Aviation Safety and Security Conference, which brought together key players from government and across the aviation industry, has highlighted MAF’s commitment to the nation with an award.
Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Hon. Walter David Schnaubelt presented the certificate to MAF’s acting interim PNG Country Director Brad Venter and MAF’s Strategic Partnerships Manager Sonali Ghosh.
Mr Schnaubelt recognised that 80% of PNG’s population live in rural areas and highlighted the service of the “rural air operators for their unwavering contribution to the rural communities Papua New Guinea in terms of medical services, birth-related emergencies, disaster relief, logistical support. These airlines bring hope to the rural people of our country.”
In the light of our continuous engagement with CASA, it was wonderful to have MAF’s contribution recognised in the aviation community.
The theme of the conference was collaboration, which Mr Venter said was important to MAF’s work in PNG with communities, partner groups and the regulator. He said it meant a lot to see other aviation service providers such as New Tribes Mission, SIL, and Samaritan Aviation also recognised.
“It was nice to have MAF formally recognised and for CASA and the government to acknowledge the impact that the mission organisations have had in PNG. It shows a level of trust and respect for what has been achieved,” he said.
Mr Venter was given opportunity at the conference to speak about MAF’s move to Single Engine IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). The change, which allows MAF pilots to fly through clouds or in lower visibility, is a first in PNG aviation history using single engine aircraft.
Highlighting the successful partnership with CASA PNG, Ms Ghosh emphasized some additional contributions to the wider aviation community and MAF’s commitment to aviation safety in PNG.
“In the light of our continuous engagement with CASA, it was wonderful to have MAF’s contribution recognised in the aviation community,” she said.
“MAF Mt Hagen is a centre for CASA examinations in the highlands. We have partnered successfully with CASA and conducted the PT6 training (an engineering qualification) at our MAF HQ which had participants from the aviation industry. The SEIFR is definitely the highlight of our continuous commitment to the safety of aviation in PNG.”
The two-day event, held on the 29th and 30th of November , created a platform to share information and experiences for delegates from various PNG based aviation service providers, government officials, stakeholders, and other senior personnel within the aviation industry.