Mission Aviation Fellowship dedicates new Plane for Haiti

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), a faith-based, non- profit ministry that serves missions and isolated people around the world with aviation, communications and learning technologies, has dedicated a new plane that will allow the organisation to expand significantly its ministry in Haiti.

Photo: More than 100 supporters, friends and staff of Mission Aviation Fellowship gathered for the dedication of the ministry's latest addition to its international fleet - a Cessna T207A bound for expanded mission and humanitarian service in Haiti.

The dedication ceremony for the 1997 Cessna T207A took place at the MAF headquarters here, as MAF board members, staff and ministry supporters assembled for prayer and remarks from ministry leaders.

'We are grateful to God for the many donors who have allowed MAF to acquire this plane to expand our ministry in Haiti,' said MAF President Kevin Swanson. "Because of their gifts, MAF will be able to more efficiently and effectively transport ministry teams, deliver food and medical supplies, and conduct emergency medical evacuations.

"Thousands of people who are living far beyond the reach of normal transportation and communication services will receive life-transforming blessings because of these wings," Swanson said.

"This plane will fly more than 500 hours a year in difficult-to-reach areas of Haiti, transporting work teams, national pastors, medical and dental supplies, building materials and evangelistic materials, such as Bibles and tracts," said Greg Ryle, MAF's program manager in Haiti. "The 207 is truly the workhorse of our planes in Haiti. Having a second aircraft will greatly enhance our ministry and the ability to meet the needs of the larger groups that come to minister to Haitians."

The new 207's registration letters will be "LLS," referring to "Louez le Seigneur," which in English means "Praise the Lord."

"We want to express our thanks to all those who made it possible for us to have this new plane in the MAF fleet. You are partnering with us in ministry to reach Haiti for Christ," Ryle said.

MAF has served the missionary community and the people of Haiti since 1986.

The highly reliable and versatile aircraft is a proven, sturdy bush plane with a total payload of 1,600 pounds. It can accommodate up to six passengers and a pilot. With an additional baggage compartment, the plane is ideal for hauling larger pieces of equipment and more medical supplies. The powerful 300-HP engine allows for takeoffs from runways as short as 985 feet. The aircraft is capable of flying at a speed of up to 144 knots.

The gift of the plane will allow MAF to transfer one Cessna to Ecuador and a turbo Cessna to Lesotho.

Founded in 1945, MAF (www.MAF.org) stations some 200 missionary families in the remotest regions of 26 countries on five continents. MAF pilots fly approximately 40,000 flights a year, transporting missionaries, medical personnel, medicines and relief supplies, as well as conducting thousands of emergency medical evacuations. MAF also provides telecommunications services, such as satellite Internet access, high-frequency radios, electronic mail and other wireless systems, in isolated areas.