The Return of ESTHER

Story and photos by Kirstein Combrink. Edited by Katie Machell.

The overhaul and maintenance of an MAF aircraft ensures its flight safety today and extends its lifespan far into the future. Registered as 5Y-EST, the Cessna 208 Caravan known as “Esther” is named after the second grandchild of one of our long-standing supporters who purchased the aircraft for MAF 20 years ago.

Initially serving the people of South Africa, it has spent most of the last ten years operating in Kenya and South Sudan. The plaque of dedication inside the cockpit reads, “For such a time as this” — taken from the book of Esther. During Uganda’s lockdown, there was a golden opportunity to work on the aircraft. MAF Uganda volunteered to give Esther a thorough overhaul and repaint — “she” was the last aircraft in Africa to fly with the old MAF paint scheme.

MAF Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Andy Swanson took charge of stripping the paint from the plane and repainted her to look like new. The landing gear was overhauled, and one of our trainee Ugandan engineers took on the unenviable task of installing new headlining (replacing cabin ceiling fabric). Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Geoff Linkleter’s role involved inspecting components removed from the aircraft and deciding which repairs and replacements were necessary. He also helped with the re-installation and adjustment of the flight controls.

“This is critical for ensuring that the aircraft will behave as the manufacturer intended when it flies,” says Geoff. “I also carried out a duplicate inspection on all the critical systems to ensure that everything was safe. Then there was the documentation of the work that keeps our operations in accordance with airworthiness regulations.”

Finally, during lockdown, everything went back together again! The engine was installed and MAF Pilot Andrew Parker carried out a test flight in which the Caravan flew beautifully with no significant adjustments required. MAF Pilot Sam Johnston then flew the shiny, newly painted Esther back to its Nairobi base, to resume work across Kenya and South Sudan.

“We look forward to Esther returning to South Sudan,” Geoff concludes, “to serve the people in these two beautiful countries.”