Missionary Aviation is the area of missions to which I have been called. You may, however, wonder what it is, or what I will be doing. To describe it fully here would take up too much space and time. Therefore check out the links page to learn more from other sites. 

            Moody Bible Institute has put it this way: "The ministry of the missionary aviator is a technical service to missionaries and the national church. Since this is their primary responsibility, missionary technicians must be trained to a professional level. Also, experience has proven that the missionary aviator must be spiritually mature and possess a knowledge of the Scriptures and Christian missions."

            Aviation in missions takes many different forms and philosophies throughout different denominations and mission agencies. Yet my goal is to use aviation as a tool to reach people for Christ. In many parts of the world transportation is so bad that it would be impossible or extremely difficult to reach certain people groups. The airplane is used as a tool to cut days off of travel time in many places in the world. 

          A lot of missionary aviation is bush flying (A small aircraft is usually used to fly into a small strip). But there are many other ways that missionaries use the planes. Medical trips, humanitarian work, Bible translation, church planting, among others are a few ways the airplane is helping missions. 

        To be a missionary pilot is not an easy task. It is an expensive and challenging pursuit. Not only do you require to have your private pilot's license, but also your instrument and commercial ratings. Most missions boards also require you to have an A&P (airframe and powerplant) license, which is your aircraft mechanics license. Other things are usually involved such as a sign-off for the specific aircraft you're flying, around 500 hours of flight time, not to mention the language and cultural learning experiences from going to a foreign country. Yet through these difficult barriers there is the joy in being able to fly as you take the life-giving gospel to waiting people thirsty for God. 

        There are those recently who are claiming that missionary aviation is not needed in the world today. Yet the evidences prove otherwise. In 2002 MSI (Mission Safety International) did a survey of Christian mission agencies. Of the 70 agencies that responded, they found 333 aircraft, 217 active pilots, 169 maintenance specialists, and 247 pilot/mechanics. More than this, the growth of missionary aviation is growing exponentially. All the major mission boards are clamoring for more pilots and mechanics. Yet perhaps the most exciting thing in missionary aviation is the Kodiak project. This plane may revolutionize missionary aviation as we know it. Learn more about it here.  

        I hope this little blurb has helped you understand a little about missionary aviation. Obviously there is more to know, even more that I don't know, but the main thing to remember is that it is a tool to further the Kingdom of God.