20 minute read
WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A MAF PILOT
Story by Tim Houghton with major contributions by Olivia Monk (Recruitment Manager) and Mark Fox (CEO)
On Saturday pilots Mike and Mary heard about MAF at an airshow. Two weeks later they were soaring above PNG, serving MAF and … wait! Time out! Reality check!
The average journey to joining MAF takes between one and two years and is a challenging one. MAF pilots need the ability to respond in situations not faced by many pilots in the world—and to do so they need specialist training and preparation. It takes determination and commitment—and the prayers and support of friends, family and church. Knowing this, MAF NZ supports and mentors potential pilots through the recruitment process. This is a step-by-step look at what it takes to become a pilot with MAF. arrow-alt-circle-right Initial Contact
Some pilots have known since they were young that they want to fly with MAF. Others hear about MAF for the first time at an airshow, through our website or a church presentation. When they contact us information is sent that provides a general overview of the steps to becoming a MAF pilot. If, having read this, the pilot wants to go ahead, an initial interview is set up in order for both parties to find out more about each other.
arrow-alt-circle-right The Initial Interview
This evaluates the applicant’s level of interest and identifies their motivation for wanting to fly with MAF. (MAF offers some of the most challenging flying in the world, and we need to be sure that people are not applying just for “the adventure” or to build up their flying experience). By the end of the interview it is usually clear whether it will be appropriate to formally start the application process.
arrow-alt-circle-right Application Process
If it’s “thumbs up,” the pilot is encouraged to go to our website and create a profile on the MAF Careers page, and an application form is sent via link so he or she can formally apply for MAF. If married, both husband and wife apply. The application form includes questions about church involvement, family life, personal history and thoughts on living in a developing nation. (Some people have a romantic, “Indiana Jones” view of living overseas!) The application form is reviewed to identify any areas that need follow up, and a criminal history check is
applied for at this stage. The pilot also nominates four referees (one their pastor or minister) and each completes a reference form.
MAF is looking for missionaries who have both the technical skills required as well as a mature Christian faith and a clear sense of God’s leading into missions. To this end, MAF may recommend that some applicants do further study at a recognised Bible training institution. arrow-alt-circle-right Flight Assessment
MAF International (MAFI) recently introduced a new step that includes pilots travelling to the Flight Training Centre at Mareeba (inland from Cairns, Australia) to undertake a flight assessment. But before we make the decision to send an applicant, they first need to pass a flight assessment with MAF NZ’s Chief Pilot and Flight Assessor (currently Rick Velvin). Rick assesses pilot candidates on a competency framework that requires certain standards to be met. He takes them up in MAF NZ’s Cessna 206 aircraft and puts them through a number of scenarios designed to test their ability to fly in typical MAF settings. Both Rick and the MAF International Assessors are looking for a candidate’s ability to analyse flight situations and make quick, confident and safe decisions while taking into account everything that is happening both in and around the plane. A typical scenario might include flying in difficult terrain with the added challenges of bad weather and an unexpected emergency. Sometimes MAF NZ will suggest an applicant gain further experience and training before continuing with their application. Incidentally, engineers also need to travel to our engineering base at Mareeba to be assessed as to their suitability for MAF deployment. arrow-alt-circle-right Symbiotics— aviation assessment
If a pilot has done well to this point, a Symbiotics assessment is arranged. This involves the completion of a full day of online tests. Phase one evaluates a pilot’s flying aptitude, including their ability to multi-task, manage heavy workloads, their short and long-term memory and situational awareness. Phase two involves meeting with an aviation occupational psychologist from Symbiotics via video conference. The psychologist will discuss the results from phase one to get a better understanding of the pilot’s aptitude and how they fit the MAF profile for pilots. Following this, a report will be sent to MAF and a copy provided to the applicant. arrow-alt-circle-right Psychological assessment
Psychological assessments are now set up. If married, both adults fill out online questionnaires and then have an interview with a psychologist to explore their family dynamics. If they have children, the psychologist will also talk to them to get an idea about how the whole family interacts together (since they will all live together on the mission field). A report is prepared and feedback provided to give recommendations for ongoing growth, health and development.
The BEI provides an overview of how the applicant manages life events. From describing at least two significant life experiences, the goal is to identify the applicant’s key competencies, including emotional resourcefulness, leadership, problem analysis, decision-making and communication.
arrow-alt-circle-right Medical
Once MAF NZ feels confident that everything is proceeding well, a full medical examination is arranged. Each individual and family needs to be cleared to live in a developing country, which can include working in environments where there are different parasites, diseases, heat and humidity. Any pre-existing conditions are explored and discussed as to how they can be managed. All paperwork from this exam goes to our medical assessor, who looks through it and gives the pilot clearance as “Medically fit” to live and work overseas.
The pilot and their family will also need to be fully vaccinated for the country they are going to. arrow-alt-circle-right Formal Interview
A formal interview is arranged to determine whether MAF can go ahead and formally accept the applicant as a candidate. A group of people with a range of backgrounds and experiences in MAF review the paperwork and discuss both the strengths and any concerns that have arisen from the assessments to date. The final decision to accept or decline a pilot is made jointly between MAF New Zealand and MAF International. (This is because, although staff are recruited by MAF NZ, they are seconded to—and work for—MAF International once they go overseas). For this reason, MAFI staff, based in Cairns and/or Ashford are briefed and included throughout the process. If successful, a pilot will be duly notified that they are now a candidate with MAF.
arrow-alt-circle-right Candidacy Course and Ministry Partnership (CCMP)
This three-day course is held in New Zealand. The Candidacy Course (CC) provides candidates with a more complete introduction to MAF as an organisation, while the Ministry Partnership (MP) course covers the practical aspects of how to build a strong base of prayer and sponsorship necessary to go overseas.
arrow-alt-circle-right Ministry Partnership
Following the CCMP course, the work of Ministry Partnership begins. Because MAF is a charitable organisation, all staff who will serve in a programme are required to raise financial sponsorship to help offset the costs of them working overseas. Over the following months candidates build a team of people around them who are committed to seeing them succeed in their call to missions. These are friends, family and church supporters who will stand with them in prayer and help them raise the sponsorship they need to go overseas. Candidates give presentations about their plans to join MAF and their call to missions in churches or home groups that express interest in their work. arrow-alt-circle-right Transition Training
This is an intensive ten-day, live-in course that addresses the issues involved in making an effective transition to another culture. If married, the whole family attend, since the instructors talk to both adults and children about their expectations, hopes and fears about living in a cross-cultural setting. The course also covers preparing to say goodbye to friends, church and school.
arrow-alt-circle-right Getting Ready to Go
At this stage pilots prepare to move overseas. They begin to say goodbye to family, friends and church. Some may choose to sell their home and most of their possessions. Another challenge is packing. Each candidate is given an allowance, but tough decisions may need to be made about what to take and what to leave behind—the coffee machine or the books?
arrow-alt-circle-right Orientation Course
Once a candidate gets close to their overseas deployment they attend a week-long Orientation course in Cairns, Australia. This is designed to orientate them to “everything MAF,” including what they need to know about serving as staff with MAF and how to successfully live in a crosscultural context.
arrow-alt-circle-right Commissioning Service
It is very important to MAF that staff are commissioned and sent out with the blessing and support of their local church. The Commissioning Service is a significant time in the whole process of preparing to go overseas—as their church gathers around the pilot and their family to pray for them before they go. arrow-alt-circle-right Standardisation
At this point non-flying staff go straight to their first assignment overseas. Pilots go to Standardisation, a four-week course of specialised training that prepares pilots to fly in the specific country they will be going to. They fly everyday, while being instructed, mentored and taught everything they need to know about “flying MAF planes the MAF way.” They learn how to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, how to handle stressful conditions, poor weather and dangerous terrain. The pilot’s flying skills are reviewed thoroughly, and occasionally some will require some extra flying time to get up to MAF standards. arrow-alt-circle-right In-Country Language and Cultural Orientation
All programmes provide language and cultural orientation. Newly arrived staff attend an intensive language course that teaches them basic communication in the local language—starting with “yes, no, hello, and goodbye”! A cross-cultural experience is also recommended. For example, in PNG new staff spend one week in an isolated village. They live with the local people and gain insight into life without newspapers, Internet or contact with the outside world.
To help them settle in, they are also linked with a host family who walks them through the first weeks in their new country, shows them around and introduces them to their new living conditions. arrow-alt-circle-right Cleared to Fly!
Each country where MAF flies has its own particular set of challenges that new pilots need to become familiar with. The newly arrived pilot flies with the Chief Pilot (CP) until he or she feels completely confident that they are ready to fly in that part of the world. They also need to be “rated” to land at each particular airstrip in their programme. At this point, they are cleared to fly solo. The journey to becoming a MAF pilot has come to an end—and a new journey, of service as a MAF pilot, begins.
Disaster Relief in Haiti. Photo courtesy Haiti Bible Mission. HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF Early Saturday morning on Monday 16 August, southwestern Haiti was hit with a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. MAF immediately initiated relief efforts with numerous other groups, including Samaritan’s Purse, Missionary Flights International and Agape Flights. MAF carried out a survey by land and air in to gather additional information and provide an assessment for relief efforts. Tropical Storm Grace hit soon after the earthquake—so MAF’s relief work in Haiti continues!
MAREEBA REBUILD Mareeba provides major overhauls, repairs, modifications, repaints, avionics upgrades and stores support for the programmes in Arnhem Land, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Bangladesh. For 40 years the facility was located in Ballarat, Victoria, but moved to Mareeba in 2003. At the time, this was thought of as a temporary measure. Now, after almost two decades, land has been generously donated so that MAF Mareeba can relocate and rebuild on the other side of the airport. The plan is to lease land on which to build new hangars, while on the donated land the Flight Training Centre (FTC), Engineering Training, housing and workshops will be built. The full development is expected to take between two and five years.
RADIO PROVIDES ACCURATE INFORMATION IN PNG Accurate information is vital for informed decisions and this certainly is the case during the ever-evolving changes imposed by COVID-19 in PNG. Misinformation regarding COVID-19 is mostly felt in the rural communities who, due to limited access to media and valid sources of information, often rely on hearsay. Because of this, Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship (CRMF) provides regular weekly updates with current information and developments as they unfold. FIRST YOLNGU PILOT IN ARNHEM LAND Yingiya Guyula is MAF’s first Yolngu pilot. A senior leader and elder from the Liya-dhalinymirr Djambarrpuyŋu clan, he said, “I was born and raised in the remote bush in Arnhem Land. I started working with MAF by making tea, sweeping the floor and keeping the hangar clean. After gaining more skills, I was asked to go to the MAF headquarters in Victoria to help dismantle a Cessna 207. I went on to get my learner’s permit and radio communications license, then started work on my restricted private pilot license. During the week, I serviced airplanes with MAF and on weekends I learnt to fly. Today I am a pilot with MAF— and look at MAF as my tribe, my family.”
The rebuild at Mareeba Celebration for reopened airstrip in PNG. Photo by Paul Woodington.
YALUM AIRSTRIP REOPENED IN PNG After 22 years of isolation, the Yalum airstrip has been reopened. It was closed due to civil unrest, but the need and longing for access to much-needed resources caused people to come together in peace talks and step up to clear the runway so that MAF once again can serve the community. Singing people, dancing in their most festive clothing, expressed their joy and appreciation as pilots Richie Axon and Paul Woodington brought in the first aircraft after 22 years.
MAF’s first Yolngu pilot. Photo by Divyan Ahimaz.
WE’RE RECRUITING
Be part of something bigger!
Use your skills and experience to leave a lasting legacy. MAF currently has a number of vacancies that urgently need to be filled. Below is just a “taste” of the exciting opportunities to work with Mission Aviation Fellowship. To find out more about these and other vacancies, go to our website/Work for Us/Current Vacancies.
Numonohi Christian Academy (Goroka, PNG) and Ukarumpa International School (Aiyura, PNG) We have urgent teaching needs at both these international schools. Vital to the work of MAF and other mission organisations is the education and preparation of the next generation, whose parents, both local and international, have committed themselves to unreached peoples of Papua New Guinea. A wide variety of teaching positions need to be filled, including: Elementary school upper and lower, High School Science, Maths and Social Studies. Commitments can be for as little as one year.
Juba Christian Academy, South Sudan We are in urgent need of Primary School teachers to be seconded to Juba Christian Academy (JCA) in South Sudan. JCA is a small but growing mission school that strives to provide high quality international education in a loving Christian environment. The school primarily serves the children of families in Juba working with MAF, SIL and other mission organisations.
Operations Manager, Arnhem Land This is a fantastic opportunity to join our MAF Arnhem Land team and make a difference among the aboriginal communities we serve there. Ensure safe and efficient use of resources by managing flight operations, rostering pilots and maintaining an updated maintenance schedule.
Other Opportunities:
• HR Manager PNG (1 year short-term) • IT Manager PNG • Facilities Manager,
Arnhem Land
• Executive Officer
PNG
• Executive Assistant
PNG
Digital Business Partner, flexible location Assist in driving the direction of digital technology within MAF. You will review and develop digital enablement applications across global operations by providing strategic leadership, advice and support and be an “advocate for change.”
Interim Finance Manager, South Sudan We are looking for a Finance Manager on a 1-year short-term contract to join the South Sudan team. MAF will provide housing in Juba, travel costs, medical and life insurance, pension contributions and a living allowance. Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, various locations There are a number of positions for Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers in Papua New Guinea, Uganda and Australia (Mareeba).
Country Directors, Australia (Arnhem Land), Chad, South Sudan, Guinea and Timor-Leste Being a Country Director is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs there is. Inspire a multinational team to achieve MAF’s vision. Work with local partners, regulatory authorities and country officials to achieve the programme’s goals.
TAKE-OFFS & LANDINGS
A lot has been happening recently. Over the last few months a number of new staff have joined MAF New Zealand, others have taken on new roles while two are leaving.
William Nicol
MAFI Strategic Advisor William has accepted the newly created role of Strategic Advisor for MAF International. For the next three years William will focus on the PNG programme, where he will bring his knowledge and skill to help move forward a number of key strategic projects for the PNG leadership team. Additionally, William will spend part of his time working on and developing broader operational and organisational strategic thought.
Phil & Tania Sproul
Director of Technical Operations Phil has accepted the Director of Technical Operations (DTO) role and will be based in Cairns, Australia. Phil has thirty years experience in roles from maintenance, technical support, fleet management and quality and safety, with both with Air New Zealand and Air Pacific. For the last four years he has been pastoring a local church. Tania came to faith through a children’s outreach. After working in various administrative roles she had the privilege of being a full-time mum to two daughters: Larissa and Emma, both of whom recently married. Phil and Tania are currently doing their ministry partnership development and Phil will take up the full role effective 1 January 2022.
Leigh & Inneke MacRae
Residential House Managers, PNG
Leigh and Inneke will be serving in Ukarumpa, PNG as Residential House Managers in a hostel for children who attend the International School. Their key responsibilities will be nurturing, guiding and encouraging the children in their everyday lives and spiritual walk with God. Leigh was born in Napier and Inneke in South Africa. Leigh has managed his own business for the past four years. Inneke is a physiotherapist, mum and has helped with administration in the business.
Leigh and Inneke are currently doing their ministry partnership development and plan to move to PNG in January 2022.
Andrew Pound
Relationship Manager, MAF NZ Andrew has taken on a new role within MAF NZ. His goals include growing MAF’s network of church relationships, building strong connections with churches, pastors, leaders and volunteers and promoting awareness of MAF in church communities across New Zealand. He taught in primary schools for five years before training at Carey College in 1983–1985. He spent five years as pastor of Oamaru Baptist Church and fifteen years at Westgate Baptist Church. Andrew is married to Kay and their son Jonathan is preparing to work with MAF as a pilot in South Sudan. Andrew always loves opportunities to connect with pastors or to speak in churches.
Jane Eddy
Recruitment Manager, MAF NZ After nearly 40 years overseas, my husband David and I returned to New Zealand just before COVID-19 hit in 2020. We believe God directed our course home and provided me an opportunity to work in the wonderful family called MAF. Every
skill the Lord has blessed me with will now be used in His service to meet the needs of those applying to serve with MAF.
My background has been varied, most recently including management consulting, recruitment and client management. During the last 15 years in Dubai, David and I found our church home and my life changed forever. I rediscovered my faith and it was like switching from a life of black and white into colour. We became actively involved in the church and I helped with fundraising for Syrian refugee programmes and meeting needs in the community. My husband David, my mother Wendy and I live in Papamoa. Our daughter Tiffany and her son Jasper reside in Dubai.
I have some very large shoes to fill in this role with MAF.
Judi Dennis
Office Manager, Arnhem Land Another Kiwi has recently joined the MAF team in Arnhem Land. God has led Judi to work for MAF, which has fulfilled the desire of her heart to use her skills in administration to support aboriginal communities and a Christian ministry at the same time! Judi’s husband Steve is working at the Gulkula Mining company, which was formed by the three main Aboriginal tribes to train, provide income and replant their land after mining.
The Board praying for Ken and Erica; Mark Fox presents Ken with a model Cessna 208 Grand Caravan.
Olivia Monk
Recruitment Manager MAF NZ (resigning) Olivia began working for MAF in February 2016 but sadly her time with us is coming to an end. As Recruitment Manager her primary focus was to recruit and prepare Kiwis and their families to serve with MAF.
Olivia said, “After five and a half years with MAF it has been a difficult decision to move on, especially from a warm and encouraging office environment, not to mention the inspirational applicants and staff I get to work with on a daily basis. “However, I know the recruitment position is in good hands with Jane, and that I’ll continue to be involved as a volunteer and cheerleader. “God has incredible plans for MAF NZ and I can’t wait to see what’s next!”
Ken & Erica Mathews
MAFI Regional Safety Manager (resigning) Before joining MAF Ken was, among other things, an engineer and pilot with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, a pilot for Wycliffe Bible Translators and an air accident investigator. In April 2012 he carried out a safety culture investigation for MAF PNG, following a series of accidents in the programme. In January 2013 Ken took on the role of MAFI Regional Safety Manager, based in Cairns. After four years, in 2017, Ken and his wife Erica returned to New Zealand. Ken continued in the same role, frequently travelling to Australia and other programmes. His current contract ends on 30 September—but this may be extended because of the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement. So, in August, the MAF NZ board held a special “farewell in advance” for Ken and Erica.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT
Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices.
– Hebrews 13:16
MAF is an international Christian aviation organisation serving around 30 developing countries to reach people living in some of the world’s most isolated communities Operating more than 130 light aircraft, MAF flies into 2,500 remote destinations, transporting essential medical care, food and water supplies, relief teams and church workers enabling physical and spiritual care to reach countless thousands of people cut off due to formidable geographical barriers, natural disasters and political unrest. FLYING FOR LIFE is the official magazine of Mission Aviation Fellowship NZ. Articles may be reprinted with acknowledgment.
MAF NEW ZEALAND
PO Box 76502 Manukau City, Auckland 2241, New Zealand 0800 87 85 88 info@maf.org.nz maf.org.nz Editor: Tim Houghton Layout and Design: Creatipix Printing: Roe Print Services
