It’s Here! Kodiak #4 joins fleet 10 June, 2013 – Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea – Written by Tim Scott
The much anticipated arrival of the Kodiak aircraft became a reality on June 4th, 2013. This Kodiak joins the other three Kodiak aeroplanes and two helicopters that fly in PNG with SIL Aviation. Late last year, Quest Aircraft Company, the manufacturer of the aircraft, had a change of order and contacted JAARS that a new Kodiak aeroplane was available immediately. Miraculously, through the generosity of God’s people, 12 days later the plane was purchased enabling PNG to receive this plane two years earlier than expected. JAARS is an organisation that invests in practical ways through day-to-day support in order to make language development and translation possible throughout the world. JAARS administrated and procured the aircraft. JAARS worked with Quest Aircraft Company on the price and features, so that it will match the aviation needs of language workers in PNG. Wycliffe Associates, a significant supporter of the language development and translation process here in PNG, was instrumental in the purchase. The plane travelled over 8200 miles and was in the air almost 50 hours in order to fly from Waxhaw, NC in the United States to Aiyura Valley here in Papua New Guinea. It made stops in southern Illinois, Kansas, and southern California before flying over the Pacific Ocean. On the trans-pacific flight, it stopped in Hilo, Hawaii, the Marshall Islands and finally Port Moresby, PNG before it flew to its final destination in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The addition of the fourth Kodiak will provide relief to the current tight maintenance schedule. Besides providing additional flights for language development workers, Bible translators and church leaders, the new aircraft will provide greater community service opportunities for remote areas of Papua New Guinea. The plane has a few minor alterations needed to prepare it for the rugged PNG environment and should be ready for service by the end of the month. For more information on this release, contact ThePNGexperience, PO BOX 413, Ukarumpa, EHP 444, Papua New Guinea Phone: 011 + 675 + 537-3544 ext. 4431 or Email: thePNGexperience@gmail.com “Tok Save” is the PNG “Tok Pisin” term for announcement or “For your information”. The English spelling conforms to Commonwealth English spelling.