MAF’s engineers in Monrovia work with professionalism in sizzling temperatures, but their motivation is all about serving isolated people.
If you think maintaining a fleet of aircraft sounds complicated, try doing the job in daily temperatures of more than 30 degree Celsius.
But for engineer Dave Waterman and the team at MAF’s hangar in Liberia, it’s worth working up a sweat so aircraft can bring help, hope and healing where it is needed most.
Dave, who is MAF’s Deputy Director of Maintenance in Liberia and Africa Regional Avionics Manager, collaborated with two engineers from Samaritan’s Purse to work on a plane operated by MAF in neighbouring Guinea.
“It’s a challenge, with the humidity it can be very hard to concentrate on the work for too long,” Dave said. “I reckon compared to working in the UK I’m about 50% as effective as I was there. Usually, you end a day smelling yourself and that’s not nice!
“The amazing thing is seeing the plane take off and knowing that there are people on these flights, or through their work, that will transform or save and change lives.
“I still smile when I see them leave the hangar and scream off down the runway knowing the part I’ve played to make that flight happen.”
Engineers from Uganda and the Netherlands have been working to maintain two Cessna 208 planes in the hangar. The biggest challenge they faced during this demanding process was the sweltering heat with the humidity putting the 'feels like' temperature in the mid-30s.
Water is everything,” Dave said. “I typically consume around three litres of water just while I’m at work, but also those sport rehydration things as well. Because when you sweat you lose more than just water.
“Being an aircraft engineer is an interesting mix of the physical and mental aspects. When you are dealing with the humidity and temperatures here it saps your energy in both areas and you can find yourself sitting on the floor doing some work and not being able to concentrate, which is a challenge.
“The number of times you have to stop yourself, go back a few steps, and take a break is higher here than anywhere else I’ve worked.”
Dave highlighted the close working relationship with Christian international relief organisation Samaritan’s Purse, which is MAF Liberia’s closest neighbour in Monrovia.