Avionics News May 2020 - 47

In addition to being able to send text messages,
they can push an emergency button to alert the
operations team about an issue. Also, if a flight
plan deviation occurs or there is no report of a
safe landing, an automatic alert is sent to MAF so
follow-up actions can be taken.
From flight following and ADS-B to terrain
awareness warning systems and weather radar
overlaying moving maps, the new avionics offer
significant advantages, including helping pilots to
see and be seen.
"Operating in remote locations not only makes
it difficult to obtain parts, getting them there in
one piece is also part of the challenge," Hoaglun
explained. "Solid-state electronic instruments
are more difficult to damage in transit than their
mechanical counterparts, so these upgrades have the
added benefit of the equipment arriving intact and
ready to install.
"Most importantly, these upgrades increase
the margins for safety. Flying in the most-remote
regions of the world with a single pilot, landing and
taking off on rough airstrips with difficult terrain
and elevations, requires us to provide our pilots with
the most beneficial avionics for their work."
Reaching people where the road ends
From storms and earthquakes to famine and
disease, MAF's team has landed in some of the
hardest to reach places on earth, far beyond where
the road ends. In 2016, after Hurricane Matthew's
destruction in Haiti, MAF-U.S. flew more than 400
disaster-related flights. In 2018, MAF helped after an
earthquake and tsunami on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia.
Since 2018, the group has been helping with Ebola
relief efforts in the DRC, ferrying health care workers
and delivering medicine, vaccines and supplies.
These are just a few of the 13 major disasters
and crises MAF-U.S. has responded to since the
organization's last member profile was published
in Avionics News in 2010. These are areas "where
responding without aircraft would have been
exceedingly difficult," according to Hoaglun.
"Looking back on 75 years of service, we are
thankful for the many people spanning generations
who have donated to MAF's work so we can
use airplanes to provide access to medical care,
education, and opportunities to improve the lives of
those living in faraway places," he said. "We also
look forward to the future, utilizing new technologies
and systems to more-effectively serve others." q

In their own words:

SERVING AT THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
The challenges of finding talented technicians, pilots
By Will White, Mobilizer, Mission Aviation Fellowship-U.S.
Recruiting individuals with the necessary skill sets to serve at
MAF is a tall task in today's competitive market. While serving
overseas may sound glamorous, the locations MAF serve are
considered at the "ends of the earth" with associated poverty,
cultural differences, disease, and lack of modern conveniences.
However, the ability to bring hope and healing utilizing aircraft is
an extremely rewarding experience. Committed Christians with a
call to serve overseas are always in demand for MAF operations.
Our preference is to hire commercial pilots with an A&P license,
with a minimum of 400 hours total time and 50 hours highperformance time. Pilots without a mechanic certificate can also
be accepted with 1,000 hours total time. Once accepted into the
program, additional instruction is provided.
MAF accepts maintenance technicians who hold an A&P
certificate. It is helpful to have experience in general aviation
maintenance, inspection authorization, and shop management skills.
Avionics technicians are required to have two years of
electronics schooling or equivalent with ASTM International's AET
certification preferred, A&P certificate, and experience in avionics,
including troubleshooting, installations, bench repairs, system
configuration, and software updates.
Those who serve with MAF must raise their own financial
support before deploying overseas. Once support has been raised
and the candidates complete technical and cultural training, they
attend language school. Then they must meet the regulatory
requirements of the country they are serving.
The level of sophistication for the regulations vary, and often the
country may adopt European or U.S. standards, but they can have
difficulty in fully implementing what they have adopted. Maybe the art of
diplomacy should be an added requirement for our pilots and mechanics.
If you're interested in serving with MAF, visit maf.org/serve/
serve-overseas. q
avionics news

may

2020

http://maf.org/serve/serve-overseas http://maf.org/serve/serve-overseas

Avionics News May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News May 2020