MAF Requirements
 

well i would do it if i had the what more exciting flying can you get that this read the blurb at there web site for more info:


MAF Pilots: Requirements
General Requirements

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MAF UK is only able to process applications from those who have a legal right to live and work in the UK. Click here for links to other MAF groups.

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MAF is a Christian organisation. All MAF UK applicants must be in agreement with MAF's statement of faith.

Requirements for Pilots

An International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) based Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), Instrument Rating, and Class 1 aviation medical certificate are the minimum licensing requirements for all pilot positions. We ask anyone who is thinking of flying with MAF to take an Aptitude Assessment; this will clearly indicate whether or not a person has the capabilities for MAF flying. Taking this test at an early stage could save investing large sums of money in unnecessary training. A pilot application cannot be made without a positive result from this test. A flight test will also be arranged with an independent instructor.

The nature of a pilot’s training, experience and ability is also taken into account. Preference will be given to those with ‘commercial experience’. Aptitude for operating in a harsh and inhospitable environment with minimal technical support is essential.

We do not have an age limit for pilots applying to serve with MAF; however, we would not recommend anyone aged 35+ with minimal flying experience to begin the training process with the specific aim of working for MAF. From our experience, we have found that anyone over this age with extremely limited flying experience will not have the capacity or the time to build the type of experience we are looking for. We are prepared to consider people who are older than this who have suitable experience in commercial situations.

Our pilots have to fly in all types of weather. Extensive cross-country flying and experience of flying in mountainous terrain is a definite advantage. Our pilots fly to the same standards as other aviation organisations and have to undergo proficiency checks every six months once they are working overseas.
Minimum Entry Pilots (C206, C210)

These pilots will carry out flying duties under the leadership of the Chief Pilot. A minimum of 500 hours total flight time is required (which includes 300 hours PIC) for operations limited to the use of the Cessna single-engined piston aircraft in visual flight weather conditions. Pilots are usually required to spend some nights away from base each month to complete planned flights. However, if applicants have attended an MAF Europe approved college programme (Le Tourneau University based in the USA) which includes obtaining a mechanics licence, a minimum of 350 total flight hours will be accepted. Please note that pilots training in this college will still have to undertake the same assessment when they apply to MAF.
Experienced Pilots (PC-12, C208)

In addition to the responsibilities for a minimum entry pilot, these pilots are required to have a minimum of 1,000 hours total flight time (which includes 500+ hours PIC) and 500 hours turbine time or rating as necessary. This could include experience on multi-engine or turbo-prop aircraft in order to operate our Cessna Caravans. An ATPL is an advantage for some operations.

http://www.maf-uk.org/

I used to see the MAF pilots around the Northern Territory. 'Interesting' bunch.

Some of them told me that flying for MAF was a poverty trap. They housed you but paid barely enough to live, certainly nowhere near enough for those who wanted to leave to pay for a decnt type rating or IR and move on.

The other bone of contention was that in Australia they are aregistered charity so elligible for certain tax breaks yet competed against bona fide charter companies.

If you want to a lively response link this to the Dunnunda forums.

Think you need to have a copy of the "Go(o)d Book" in your hand when you apply. Not sure that they're looking for someone who just wants to build hours though it looks like great experience. However I suspect those who do it would occasionally question, "What am I doing here/How soon can I get out?". Hence, the advantage of a good chunk of faith to get you through the rough patches.

Good luck with it as they appear to do some good work (in Africa - can't say about ops in northern Oz).

Cheers,

Chips

The Missionary Aviation Fellowship a.k.a. MAF is a Christian charity that uses aircraft to ply their trade. That trade being the proliferation of Christianity through acts in line with their beliefs. This is not a job, it is a calling.

The application process is heavily weighted towards finding out if the applicant is a capable, passionate and reliable Christian missionary, before piloting experience or ability. Obviously this requires deep knowledge and belief in the Bible. It is assumed you can fly if you’re applying for a pilot’s job.

As in all genuine Christian service, remuneration is usually only an amount enough to provide you with basic living requirements. This is a charity (as most Christian organisations are!) so is "not for profit".

The flying is truly fantastic and provides unimaginable reward.

I hope this is of some value.

Charity is all well and good but when they use their charitable status to undercut commercial operators how 'charitable' is that?

Of course such a charity would never do something like declare an airstrip operated by them closed due to inclement weather immediately after their own flights arrived or departed, now would they?

Ramingining, NT anyone?

flintstone...who needs a good salary when you have faith?

my time spent flying around the dark continent meant i came across the m.u.f drivers on many occassions and they were some strange people as you say.

one must definately be a believer to live and fly in some of the conditions those guys do for very little money, in comparison to the private sector.

as jon bon jovi once said....keep the faith.

You're not wrong.

While not wishing to tar all with the same brush some of the MAF pilots I met in in the Territory were some very queer fish seemingly chosen more for their bible bashing skills than their aviation acumen.

One caused a HUGE stir by taking MAF to task for not having paid her the minuimum salary (aka 'The Award') for the years she'd been with them.

Stone the heretic!!

Flintstone,

I see and understand your points.

They are flying from a different hymn sheet.

However, doing things such as close their own airfields after they have used them is entirely their prerogative. It’s their football and they can take it home if they wish. As much as I hated the kid at school that did that. If you were facing real competition from MAF and owned the field, would you be inclined to operate in such a manner? I think you probably would, considering the loss of income, could be offset by the gains in denying your competitor operations.

It’s all horses for courses, and your only going to get some very 'passionate' people working in this kind of environment.

I only know a few guys that work for MAF in PNG and they're top blokes for a few beers anytime.

but tui...i think the point being made is that they are supposed to be a charity and therefore not in competition with anyone?

Exactly.

And I think Tui made my point for me nicely.

Ah! your point is noted!

It was not a point that I had realised.

I'm sure it must be a point of much jealously and contention.

While up in PNG years ago I spotted a MAF 206 loaded up with all sorts of gear. I spoke to the pilot for a few minutes. I was there doing some Christian work, including relief work and charity work. I asked about employment with MAF. I was told in no uncertain terms "We don't permit people of your theological affiliation."

I said I thought Christians, being followers of Christ, were supposed to be a little more accepting, and open. I told him his view didn't sound very Christian, to me.

His reply?

"We hate catholics, too, but we'll fly them if they pay us enough."

Count me out, mate.

Oooooh, careful there son. Ivory towers and all that:rolleyes:


Quite the opposite actually. On the one hand I could be putzing around the bush for the whole of my life in a clapped out C206 filled with fragrant locals consoling myself that although I may not be earning enough to feed and clothe my family properly (who had no say in my calling to serve some mythical deity but suffer the consequences anyway) I'm doing the Lord's work for her.

Or on the other I can be flying aircraft and passengers right at the other end of the aviation spectrum, earning a living wage and generally enjoying myself.


Smug? No. Just pleased that my time flying the locals and dodging the MAF missiles paid off.

enjoying yourself...could have fooled me...:yuk:

After I attained my CPL quite a few years ago I thought that I might give up some of my time to do good things. Ah, I thought, MAF, they do good things. If I do for them, then I will be doing good things, I thought. I really did not even think about the pay, just let me go and help some poor unfortunate people for a while, I am still young, I can get the money later. Letter arrives, Question: What bible studies am I currently involved with? My answer of air law, air safety, air planes, or anything to do with air was of no interest to them and certainly not my desire to help the less fortunate. Makes me wonder about the MAF agenda.

so is there any other charities that involve flying? i have a lapsed ppl and am looking to revalidate it and get an aerial work endorsement so i can build up hour with.
i am currently a glider pilot and allready in a good position for tugging but i am looking for something more exciteing.
pay for me is low on the list.
i can live in a tent as long as i have money for beer and food and 20days holiday a year then i am not fussed
any suaggestions?

Please don't tell me you're one of the 'I will fly for food' brigade?

Apologies for the double posting but I somehow missed this on the first reading.matt, pay may be low on your list but as a professional pilot it's certainly not low on mine or, I would guess, that of most of the professional pilots you will meet if you ever join the ranks.
Should that happen I would be very careful who you tell (should you ever do so) that you flew for little or nothing. It tends to upset people.
Give it some thought.

I had a work mate flew for MAF in NT for a few years, they would bribe the natives with Kentucky Fried Chicken to get their work which was mainly flying them to the bank to cash thier cheques before direct deposit was invented. After the flight was paid for, the cheque was nearly spent on the charter which I think was irresponsible and immoral for a charity operation. MAF's response to this was, if they did not do it, some other commercial operator would.

Well now that's interesting because when I was in the NT the locals used to send their ATM cards and PIN in an envelope on the regular flights to Darwin where a certain AirNorth traffic officer would wander down the terminal, withdraw their cash, pocket twenty bucks for the privilege and send the card and cash back on the next flight.

At the time we (pilots) thought this exhorbitant so undercut him by doing it for free.

Seems even he wasn't as bloodsucking as MAF though.