MAF History
"Beginnings"
Click the image at the left to watch "Beginnings," a 30 minute documentary on the history of MAF.
Three World War II pilots begin meeting for prayer, Bible study and discussion of missionary aviation.
One of those pilots is moved to establish an organization as soon as possible so that missionary aviation can begin when the war ends.
Later to become Mission Aviation Fellowship, the Christian Airmen's Missionary Fellowship (CAMF) is launched.
The first MAF aircraft is purchased: a 1933, red Waco biplane four-place cabin with a new 220-horsepower Continental engine.
Betty Greene flies MAF's new plane on its inaugural flight. She pilots two Wycliffe workers to a remote jungle location in Mexico.
Nate Saint and Jim Truxton fly a Stinson to Ecuador and launch the MAF US program there.
For countless missionaries, the shortwave radios installed and serviced by MAF are the only way to communicate with the outside world.
UFM and TEAM invite MAF US to serve their flight needs in Dutch New Guinea (now Papua) while C&MA brings in its own Irish-built Sealand Amphibian. Unfortunately, the Sealand crashes within three years and C&MA ultimately asks MAF US to service all their flight needs in Dutch New Guinea.
A Piper Pacer equipped to land on water or land launches MAF's program in New Guinea. MAF also officially opens its first program in Indonesia.
Nate Saint and four missionary companions land on "Palm Beach" near Ecuador's Curaray River to reach the Auca Indians, a tribe infamous for their violence.
Nate Saint and his companions make the first personal contact with the Auca Indians. They believe the Indians are friendly.
Nate Saint is martyred by Auca Indians on "Palm Beach." Killed along with Nate are Jim Elliot, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Ed McCully. Seven of the nine killers and many others from the tribe eventually come to Christ. Tens of thousands of people around the world hear the story and volunteer to take their place.
Paul Pontier flies the first Indonesian national missionaries. They witness for three days and 1,000 tribes people commit their lives to Christ.
MAF introduces the Missavia transistorized radio, providing a light, low-power way to communicate over long distances.
MAF conducts rescue operations in Zaire (now Dem. Rep. of the Congo) during a sequel to the Congo rebellion. Many missionaries are killed or displaced.
Queen Juliana of the Netherlands personally dedicates the MAF-US C-185 "Flying Dutchman," partially funded by the Dutch government because of MAF's pioneering work in Dutch colonies.
Using a plane with retractable skis, Don and Phyllis Beiter launch a program in Afghanistan, later forced to close.
MAF initiates relief flights in Ethiopia in support of famine intervention efforts.
The Helicopter Association International awards "Pilot of the Year" to Dave Marfleet and Mike Meeuwse for their humanitarian efforts in Indonesia following a devastating earthquake.
Bob Gordon initiates a communications and logistics support ministry in Russia soon after the communist government crumbles.
MAF completes installation of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) receivers on all aircraft. Using satellites, the GPS allows pinpoint location to within 50 feet anywhere in the world.
MAF staffer, Rob Taylor, installs the first satellite communications link in Goma, Zaïre (now Dem. Rep. of the Congo), enabling mission and relief groups to communicate directly to the U.S. as well as with one another in the field.
The lost MAF-US plane piloted by Nate Saint is recovered. Nate, and four other missionaries were martyred by Waodani (Auca) Indians on "Palm Beach" in Ecuador. The remains of the plane are displayed in a diorama at MAF headquarters in the U.S.
MAF begins a float plane operation in Central Kalimantan to focus on church and mission outreach.
The Mali Programs launches a well digging project. Hand dug by MAF staff, the project provides opportunities to share the Gospel. In its first 18 months, the well digging project would plant more than 20 churches.
In the wake of Hurricane Mitch, MAF conducts relief flights in the Mosquitia region of Honduras.
Due to the El Niño weather pattern which brought severe drought conditions to Indonesia, MAF sends a fleet of planes and one helicopter for relief flying.
MAF flies hundreds of flights to support flood relief efforts in Mozambique after hundreds of thousands of people are left homeless.
MAF launches Operation ACCESS! under the direction of Ghislaine Benney. Completed in 2006, this landmark project would survey 364 isolated areas in 64 countries.
The purpose of Operation ACCESS! is to identify and survey areas of the world where transportation, communications, and technology barriers prevent or impede people's access to the Gospel and to sustained resources that advance God's Kingdom. The research focuses on countries with pockets of people who are either forgotten or unreached. Such groups have little or no access to Gospel ministry, resources for spiritual nurture, or basic services to improve their quality of life.
MAF-Learning Technologies publishes the Bibliologia. Complete on one CD, this pastor's reference library in Russian contains 19 Bible translations and 125 Christian books. The Bibliologia was downloaded more that 50,000 times from the Internet during its first year with more than 6,000 copies distributed initially.
Following a series of earthquakes and a devastating tsunami, MAF is the first on site in Meulaboh, Northern Sumatra, Indonesia. In the first seven weeks, MAF distributed relief supplies to some 60,000 victims by conducting 1,114 relay flights and transporting 387,743 lbs. of food.
MAF celebrates its 60th anniversary.
MAF releases the results of OperationAccess! A landmark research project that surveyed 364 isolated areas in 64 countries.
The headquarters of MAF moves from Redlands, California to its new home and new building in Nampa, Idaho.
MAF flies aid agencies to areas hardest hit after Cyclone Sidr hits Bangladesh.
During an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MAF provides much-needed transport for doctors.
MAF assists in relief work in the northern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, responding to the LRA raids on villagers there.
After four major storms caused widespread damage across Haiti, MAF is instrumental in getting food and other supplies to remote areas.
MAF takes delivery of its first Kodiak 100, the next generation of bush planes that will allow for greater capacity and the use of cheaper fuel.
Already well established in Haiti, MAF plays a major role in coordinating relief and rebuilding efforts after a devastating earthquake there.
Betty Greene, MAF's first pilot, is honored for her military service.
Restoration begins on MAF martyr Nate Saint's home in Shell Mera, Ecuador.