My name is Chris and I am new to MAF. I’m not a pilot. I’m not a mechanic. The only things I know about aviation, I learned from Top Gun. (I still have trouble working out in my head how a heavy thing made out of metal can get off the ground.) And while I’ve been on countless commercial flights, I’ve only been in a small aircraft one time, for a total of five minutes—which was just enough time for the stunt plane pilot to do a couple barrel rolls and show me what a “G” felt like. It was terrifying.

I recently had the chance to sit down with one of MAF’s aviation trainers, Paul Bergen, and he explained a few things about flying to me—which reinforced the fact that I don’t know much about aviation.

Paul graciously recognized my incompetence and offered a solution.

In a few weeks I am going to join Paul and a few prospective MAF pilots for a day of training exercises.

(Don’t worry. I won’t actually be flying any of the planes!)

On Thursdays, this blog will reflect what I learn about missionary aviation from MAF’s talented pilots and trainers. I will highlight various aspects of what makes MAF planes, pilots, procedures, and programs unique in the flying world.

While I might not know much about aviation, I have had some experience with missions. I’ve had the chance to serve in over 20 different countries across South America, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe with various mission organizations.

It is very evident to me that MAF addresses a problem that constantly confronts missionaries in isolated regions—the lack of access. I have seen how MAF makes possible the work of churches and other mission organizations around the world. I am excited to be a part of the MAF team and to further discover how they share Christ’s love with isolated people.

So join me here on Thursdays as we take a closer look at the “A” in MAF.