MAF History

Click the play button to watch "Beginnings," a 30 minute documentary on the history of MAF. You may also scroll down to see a timeline of MAF's history.

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, Betty Greene with MAF's Waco biplane four-place cabin, red Waco biplane 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.

For countless missionaries, the shortwave radios installed and serviced by MAF are the only way to communicate with the outside world.

A Piper Pacer equipped to land on water or land launches MAF's program in New Guinea. MAF also begins work 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-nine of the 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 tribespeople 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 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, Zaire (now Congo DRC), 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 floatplane 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 Nino 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 Benny. 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 advace 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 Russion 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 onsite 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.

Idaho ground breaking

MAF releases the results of Operation Access! A landmark research project that surveyed 364 isolated areas in 64 countries.