Info on Mission Aviation Fellowship

[please]

Hi everyone,
I am trying to gather some information on Mission Aviation Fellowship, and was wondering if there is anyone out there who has worked for them and could tell me more about the sort of work they do.
I have visited their website, but would like to know more with a view to applying as a volunteer. Any replies would be appreciated.
Is it mainly Christian Missionary work or more providing medical and logistical aid?
What sort of environment do volunteers work in? Are they provided with accommodation?
Where do they currently have projects?
Has anyone out there worked for them and could give me a deeper insight into their work?

Thanks for any input. It is REALLY appreciated.

[biped]

I think it's difficult to get into. I heard somewhere you have to be sponsored by your local church.

I've got a press clipping I could email you if you want.

I'm also researching it by the way. Don't hold out much hope though, but then I'm a pessimistic git.

Good luck with it. If you find out anything, let me know.

[KASAC 7]

MAF SA operate like all the other branches as far as I am aware. You have to raise your own support as the organisation runs largely on donations itself. That means you would have to pay for your own accommadation and living expenses. In South Africa most of the flying is done in support of Christian ministries but in Lesotho they support the local population in almost inaccessable areas, with medical assistance, etc. If you check their SA website you can receive their newsletter which will give you a better idea of what they do. Hope this helps!

[please]

Thanks for both those replies. Very much appreciated.

Further to that advice, can anyone else give me an insight into the type of work done by the volunteers? Someone who has "been there, done that, got the t-shirt", so as to get a real idea.

Thanks again everyone!!

[shenzi_rubani_HTAR]

missionary flyin

Been there and I even have t-shirts made!
I didn't fly for MAF but worked side by side with them. I was with a 2 plane missionary deal in East Africa for five years. Its a blast!
REAL bush flying. Be ready to turn some bolts, get dirty etc...
Airstrips? Who needs them.
I got housing with the other two pilots, we shared transport, and I got a few hundred bucks a month to use for what ever. They also fed me.
We'd spend a few days in the bush at mission hospitals using a spoke and hub type thing for medical work and furthur go in to the bush...DEEP bush.
All these guys looking for jobs in africa could greatly increase their chances if they suck it up and go volunteer for a few years. Get your name around and get the skills. It is much more difficult flying than the other stuff.
To get more info, try writing to `Wings Of Hope' in St Louis.
They send planes over to some of the mission groups in Africa and Central america.
Clear Skies

[ClearBlueWater]

Please excuse me going off at a bit of a tangent but does anyone know of organisations like MAF that use rotary wing instead of or in addition to fixed wing? I'm sure help is needed in places accessible only to helicopters although I don't think MAF uses them.

Thanks

[Sector3]

The Mission Aviation Network is a resource for all students, missionaries and interested persons who work as Christian pilots, engineers or support staff in mission aviation and aviation relief organisations around the world.

Has anyone out there worked for them and could give me a deeper insight into their work?

Why not give MAF in your area a call or send them an email and ask them to put you in contact with a current missionary pilot and ask them as many questions as you can? (I currently serve as a pilot with MAF, but I am in Australia and can't answer any questions about Africa....yet!)

Does anyone know of organisations like MAF that use rotary wing ?

JAARS uses rotary-wing aircraft in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

[Doudou]

Shenzi,
I agree with you, I guess Volonteer in Africa or South America can be a really great experience (human and aviation), I wanted to ask you if you know the minimum required, (I don't even have my commercial but working on it), cause I guess they're cannot afford to give their plane to a inexperienced pilot who gonna crash it in the middle of a jungle (what is logical).
Thanks

[shenzi_rubani_HTAR]

Requirements vary I am sure. Since some are foriegn based, ie US company's and aid agencies, a local license may not be required. Or some still may only need a private local license. I went over with 400 hours and a US CPL and was o.k. since the planes were US reg and the chief liked low time guys better since he could train them the way he wanted. Ironically, guys he had with lots of time and experience in the US and Canada and Europe were a failure. They had their own way of doing things which just wasn't a safe way for the kind of flying/person he wanted. He spent three months training too, so don't sell yourself short. Do some research, look around, you can find somewhere. While your looking, work on your Insrument and com licenses.

[Wireless]

Shenzi,

Were Wings of Hope the company that you flew for? If so, do you know if they would take on Pilot's who are not US nationals. I did not know if you would still need a US visa and all that comes with it despite the fact that you will work for them outside of the US.

Thanks Bill

[themax]

MAF

I contacted MAF a while back. Seem like a good bunch of people, but you have to be one of those "born again" types. Every organization has there own criteria and I understand theirs.

I am just looking to find somewhere I can help with the relief effort in Africa. I am a mature, experienced pilot with many thousand hours and an A&P, so you think there must be a need for people like me who wish to contribute. So far, unliess I am willing to stand on a soap box, no one is interested.

So If 'Preachin" and Flyin" is your bag, this group probably warrents more research.

If you have any ideas of how I might expand my own search, please give me a post. ([email protected]) Thanks!

[please]

I have a place with MAF starting in November!! Thanks for all the replies. I will be working for their project in Madagascar, where they are now flying polio vaccinations to the entire population (the new president has given the go-ahead). They also fly for conservation companies and other missionaries. I'm off to California next week for the pilot course.
Rotary wing mission flying? Try heli-mission. Not sure about the web adress.
Ta ta!!

[Wireless]

Blimey Please!

That didn't take long. Well done mate!

I went to one of the enquirer's days in Kent and they said that applications normally take a year. I understand that you have to take a Pilot assessment in Amsterdam, plus numerous interviews and a mental assessment! Did you have to do all these things. The procedure may have changed since I enquired two years ago.

Could I be nosey and ask what your hours and previous experience are? I am a wannabe and always find it useful to hear from someone who has made it.

Congrats, Bill

[4HolerPoler]

Congrats please - it's great to see a dream come true. Keep us posted on your time in Mad.

[Doudou]

Congratulation!
So, how did you get there? with how many hours and is it really a lot about religion like some people seem to think and say?
Keep giving news, and do a great job in Mada, I'm sure you will.

[shenzi_rubani_HTAR]

Rock on dude! Have fun! Plant some trees over there too!
Keep a journal, makes for good reading after you leave!

[Sector3]

I'm off to California next week for the pilot course.

And which pilot course would that be??

MAF usually requires all staff to complete their own training apart from company Check and Training.

[nosefirsteverytime]

a little off topic, but I just wonder, about Joint Christian Aid, the forerunne to all these guys (commonly referred to as Jesus Christ Airlines). Is it true that the churches funded them?

[4granted]

also...

Found these guys....dont know if theyre looking..www.jaars.org/aviation.shtml
gotta be godsquad..

[Wireless]

Nosefirst,

I think it was set up in Biafra by Catholic Missionaries who recognised need to bring in aid. They approached a local gun runner who agreed to his aircraft being used for the cause.

Apparantly Pilot jobs even appeared in Flight International!

That's all I can drum up anyway.

Cheers, Bill