SOUTH SUDAN PAST & PRESENT
A brief history of MAF in South Sudan 1947 The Miles Gemini aircraft is dedicated. 1948 Stuart King’s Gemini survey of over 100 mission bases in Africa begins. 1950 First regular flight operations begin in Sudan. 1953 First flights from Sudan to Ethiopia. 1957 Single-engine Cessna 180 aircraft are introduced for use in Sudan. 1964 Expulsion of missions and programme closure after 14 years. 1977 A respite from the civil war sees the Sudan programme reopen. 1983 After seven years of further operations (21 years in all in Sudan), programme closes due to government restrictions.
My Journey to South Sudan
1993 Relief flights from Kenya begin into South Sudan.
By Andrew MacDonald
2006 New base established in Juba, South Sudan.
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2008 First pilot family for Juba, South Sudan arrive to the programme after 25 years.
he changes involved in my relocating to South Sudan were never going to be quick or easy. In fact, they have been almost entirely the opposite! But the outcome is that another plane can fly in South Sudan, so it is definitely worth it! I began gaining the skills needed to operate in South Sudan over a year ago by travelling to Mareeba to begin the process of reactivating my Instrument rating. The rest of 2021 was spent preparing for the shift to Africa. From April until November I was located in Arnhem Land where I upgraded to flying the Cessna Caravan and increased my knowledge of Instrument flight. On top of that there were quite a few immunisations, in particular yellow fever, required to enter some African countries. After Arnhem Land, there was a quick detour to the Netherlands to undergo HEAT training (Hostile Environment Awareness Training), which prepares people to live and work safely in potentially insecure environments. I landed in Nairobi in the last week of November. Currently I am halfway through the Kenyan pilot licence conversion process, which, in itself, is budgeted to take between five and six months. All this is worthwhile because it means that when I arrive I will be fully prepared and trained to fly in South Sudan.
2003 Relief flights from Uganda begin into South Sudan.
2011 South Sudan officially becomes independent, and MAF flights continue to provide support as well as respond to evacuation requests from areas of unrest.
We’re Almost There! By Jonathan Pound
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ince arriving in Africa, we have been based in Kenya and I have been preparing to fly in South Sudan. Recently we made our first trip there! We were not too sure how we were going to react to our future home. We had read about it, and many people had spoken about it, but it was another thing altogether to go somewhere and experience it for ourselves. During our week in South Sudan we were able to see both MAF compounds, the MAF offices, the local church, the international school and the
supermarket—and I was able to see what a normal work day looks like for a MAF pilot in South Sudan. The kids made friends with the other MAF kids, and we were very encouraged when they said that they wanted to stay in South Sudan. Michele found comfort in being able to see the markets and find things that we normally eat—and that the markets weren’t too overwhelming. We also met fellow Kiwi Sam Johnston, who took us for a flight in a Cessna Caravan (Daniel got to ride up front!) Now I’m excited to get back there and begin.
