With much of Papua New Guinea’s Western Province covered by lakes and rivers, there are many who live in isolation. But, one local finds purpose in securing the floatplane to water landing sites, and thus linking isolated communities to life’s necessities.
Story by Vicky Powell
When MAF’s floatplane brings an essential lifeline to Papua New Guinea’s waterside communities, Titus Oaeke is there to keep the aircraft, pilots and passengers safe.
The Water Operations Assistant watches closely for weather conditions, currents and hidden dangers such as crocodiles beneath the surface of bodies of water such as Lake Murray and the Fly River.
“Being the floatplane assistant, you get to help the pilot. We need to check the wind direction, and we need to see what's in the water, down below.
“As crew, we help the pilots to keep an eye outside and see what's around us so that the plane can land safely on the water.”
Safe operation is at the heart of Titus’ work and growing up on Papua New Guinea’s largest lake gives him knowledge and experience of the dangers to look out for.
“If we don’t secure the aircraft, it can go adrift because of fast currents. The water might take the plane out and damage it, hitting the trees or anything on the bank.”
From what he witnessed as a child until today, Titus could see the need to reach people in the river communities. This was at the heart of his motivation to join MAF as the Water Operations Assistant working on the first turbine floatplane in the PNG fleet.
“When the floatplane came, it was a dream for everyone,” Titus said, sharing the impact of the aircraft in these communities.
“Flying around Lake Murray, when I see people running towards the plane, I feel like crying,” he said.
When the floatplane came, it was a dream for everyone
Titus’ background in aircraft maintenance and current work with the floatplane connects many communities to life-saving necessities. From medical evacuations, to spreading the Word of God with Bibles, to flying caskets which bring villagers back to their final resting place – the work is varied but means a lot to locals.
“Everyone needs the floatplane,” he said. “Because where there’s no airstrip, there’s water. And the amphibious floatplane, it can land on water.”
For Titus, working with the MAF team in PNG is a calling, one that comes with responsibility and purpose.
“This is now my two years,” Titus said. “They trained me first on the floatplane, and now I’m a trainer, too.”
When the plane alights on the water, seeing the people coming toward the aircraft fills Titus with great joy, showing him the impact of MAF’s services to the people in this world of water.
“Serving Western Province is a privilege. To work on the amphibious floatplane, I encourage more students to work with some missionary organisation like MAF.”
The floatplane project is a joint initiative of Sustainable Development Program PNG (SDP) and MAF for Western Province.