MAF in Papua New Guinea is preparing to welcome three new Cessna Caravans. The planes, still being prepared, will bring help, hope and healing to remote communities.
Story by Aquila Matit
Thanks to the generosity of donors, MAF will bring three new aircraft to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the coming months to serve isolated people.
One of the new Cessna Caravans has already been ferried from Kansas in the USA to MAF’s maintenance facility in Mareeba, Australia. Ferry pilots Dylan Fast and Val Neufeld journeyed to Australia through Santa Maria, Hawaii, Tarawa, Solomon Islands and Cairns. In Mareeba, our MAF team will complete minor modifications and re-registration in preparation for service in PNG. The other two aircraft, also Cessna Caravans, will be delivered from the factory in December 2024 and May 2025, before they undergo a similar journey.
“During the manufacture process, some aircraft components can start their manufacture as early as 18 months before the aircraft is delivered. The aircraft is arranged into sub-assemblies in different countries and locations, then brought together on the final assembly line,” MAF International Project Manager Fleet Development, Gordon Otten, said.
He added, “After delivery from the factory we install modifications to prepare it for many years of service in the rough and remote landing sites of PNG”.
Mr Otten said the aircraft will replace older Cessna Caravans, some 34 years old.
For people in remote areas, these aircraft represent their best hope of transportation.
Parish Priest of Tsendiap Anglican Church, Fr Zacchaeus Zurup, reflects on the work of MAF serving the church in his community in Jiwaka Province.
“As a church leader in a place like Tsendiap where there is no road link, I am happy that when the church started reaching out to people and guiding God’s people in such a remote place, MAF had a good support for us. And we are happy for this service MAF has provided to us,” he said.
“Some years ago, when MAF had Twin Otter aircraft they gave good service to us people here in Tsendiap and other remote places where there are no roads. For the people of Tsendiap the Twin Otter has given a good service and still MAF has continued to help us with the good service of the Cessna Caravans.”
Councillor for Tsendiap, Raynold Aikap, said MAF has been the support for his people since he started his career.
I have served as a councillor for 24 years, MAF has carried our trouble. We receive our help through the road that we have and that is MAF alone. I am happy MAF has these planes that will help in our needs in the future
“I have served as a councillor for 24 years, MAF has carried our trouble. We receive our help through the road that we have and that is MAF alone. I am happy MAF has these planes that will help in our needs in the future,” he said.
Mr Otten, who has worked in the aviation industry for 30 years, finds his role rewarding to help to serve isolated communities through aviation.
“It means that I can be part of the larger MAF team, using my skills and abilities to bring these aircraft, which have been funded by our generous donors, through their preparations to ultimately serve those in physical and spiritual need,” he said.
There is excitement and joy for the PNG programme about the new aircraft - two were funded by single donors in the British Isles and the other is mostly funded by a donor in the Netherlands.
