Not many people get to experience the ‘pointy end’ of MAF’s flights to the remotest parts of Papua New Guinea. But Matt Painter’s new book gives readers a pilot’s-eye-view of the challenge and reward of mission aviation.
Story by Vicky Powell
With 1000 flight hours under his belt, Matt Painter could have been considered an ‘experienced’ pilot. But when he arrived in Papua New Guinea to fly with MAF, it would
be three months of training before Matt flew solo in this new landscape.
“I was doing lots and lots of training,” Matt said. “It wasn’t like they needed to teach me how to fly the plane—I needed to learn how to fly the plane in the new environment. I needed to learn to manage hazards such as steep airstrips, mountainous terrain and soft, wet grass airstrips in the lowlands.”
Having moved to Papua New Guinea with his family in 2007, Matt began a journey of adapting to a new environment that went far beyond learning local languages and
deciphering accents of air traffic services personnel on the radio.
In his new book, Mission Aviator, Matt recalls that journey.
The book also gives readers a glimpse of the great needs that Papua New Guineans face when living in remote communities without roads, something that’s as true today as it was when Matt flew for six years from Rumginae, in the Western Province.
“My experience in Papua New Guinea is that, wherever you look, there is more need than we can fulfil.”
For 75 years MAF has served the people in Papua New Guinea and their need for essential services across the country, including medical evacuations.
Wherever you look, there is more need than we can fulfil
“Even though that place was connected by road to a major town, 100,000 people were completely cut-off because five bridges went down in a period of high rainfall.”
It’s not just emergencies that rely so heavily on MAF. Matt also assisted local police officers, nurses and teachers flying to their places of work.
“In one area we serve, it’s either a 45-minute MAF flight or a week’s walk. I know which one I’d choose,” he said. “Often our flights are the difference between a remote village having a health centre or a school – or missing out on those essential services.”
As a Regional Communications Manager for MAF International, Matt is now at the heart of gathering stories, capturing personal experiences and testimonies of MAF from the Asia-Pacific region.
His book illustrates the need to tell a story from a lived experience, bringing authenticity to the reader. That’s why Mission Aviator views Papua New Guinea from the
cockpit.
“I’m just trying to help people gain an appreciation of what it’s really like to be an MAF pilot in Papua New Guinea,” Matt said. “But I didn’t only want to share from a technical view, I wanted to show readers who we actually impact and how people are helped by this service.
“It’s important for people to understand this—those who have already supported the work of MAF, and also people who might be inspired to support our vital work in the years to come.”
When based in Rumginae, Matt’s evening meal with his family would sometimes receive a pleasant interruption.
“The missionary doctors would call after a successful medevac and say, ‘Thanks Matt, it’s a boy. We’ve saved two lives today.’
“It was incredibly rewarding to be on the front line of saving lives and helping people as a pilot, but through my writing and communications work, I want others to share in the joy, too.”
To purchase the book in Australia, go to the link below.
For orders outside Australia, contact [email protected]