The lure of the ‘kaikaiman’ – and the courage to speak & write truth
Luluai to Councillor – the evolution of local government in Simbu

MAF makes largest purchase of aircraft to serve bush strips

STAFF REPORTER | Aviation Week 

Cessna Caravan 208 turboprop
The Cessna Caravan 208 turborpop has become the backbone of MAF's bush flying operation in PNG

NEW YORK - Mission Aviation Fellowship International recently placed an order for five Cessna Caravan 208 turboprops for its operations in Papua New Guinea, with the option for an additional two aircraft.

The order represented MAF International's single largest aircraft investment and the five aircraft are scheduled to be delivered this year and create an all-Caravan fleet in the country.

MAF has been serving the most isolated communities in PNG since 1951. It enables thousands of aid workers, development specialists, mission workers, doctors and nurses, teachers and water engineers to deliver food, medical supplies and relief, water and education.

During the last decade MAF has slowly been expanding its three-Caravan operation so the aircraft are now flown into 95% of the more than 230 remote bush airstrips.

“With an all-Caravan fleet powered by the dependable PT6 engine, significant gains in reliability and mission impact will be achieved,” said aviation director for MAF International, William Nicol.

“The Caravan provides capability that ensures an effective, efficient and sustainable operation — a critical consideration when operating with limited infrastructure in challenging conditions, where remote access often becomes a matter of life and death.”

Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Mathias Kin

Thank you MAF. In this era of hardship and poverty in a land of plenty, how would my people of Karimui see any light...but MAF. Thank you.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them.

Your Information

(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)