In celebration of 25 years of business, AFD Software Ltd in the Isle of Man donated a brand new Kodiak 100 aircraft to Mission Aviation Fellowship.
The aircraft will be used to serve the people of Kalimantan, Indonesia where flying is not a luxury but a lifeline.
David Dorricott, MD and one of the founders of AFD, explained: ‘MAF operates a fleet of small aircraft in many of the world s poorest and most remote places, providing the only access for supplies and medical and health services. However the cost of providing the Avgas fuel for these aircraft, and the difficulties even of obtaining it, have been causing enormous problems for the operators.
‘When we learned that a brand new, purpose-designed bush aircraft had been developed - with higher payload and range - and the benefit of running on much cheaper and more readily available Jet A1 fuel, we were really excited.’
MAF UK CEO, Ruth Whitaker comments: ‘MAF has been serving the people of Kalimantan since 1969. On this largely underdeveloped island, thousands live in isolation. Dense rain forests and impenetrable mountain ranges deny people access to even the most basic services such as healthcare and education and prevent access to the Gospel.
‘Today, we are using a fleet of 8 aircraft to cross barriers and enable remote communities to be reached with vital medical help, physical support and Christian care. Many of the airstrips are challenging and it takes a special type of aircraft to operate in this harsh environment. The Kodiak is ideally suited to the rugged, mountainous terrain. We are extremely grateful for this gift which will help support the local communities, the work of the church and will make a real difference to the lives of the people of Kalimantan.’
The Kodiak is a new type of aircraft designed with mission in mind. It is capable of taking off and landing in the rough and rugged conditions where MAF operates and has the capacity to land on short airstrips which is particularly useful in Kalimantan.
Ruth flew to the Isle of Man especially for the presentation ceremony and thanked AFD for this generous and life-changing gift.
The AFD-donated Kodiak 100 is expected to be completed in early 2010.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Bringing help and hope to people in need around the world, MAF flies in over 30 developing countries, providing vital support for numerous relief and development organisations, aid workers and international aid agencies, missions, and churches.
MAF UK is based in Folkestone.