A new-style plane has been designed specifically with mission in mind.

In 1985, a meeting between MAF pilot David L Voetmann and aircraft designer Tom Hamilton began the process of producing a brand new specialist mission aircraft, one of which is due to join the MAF fleet in September 08.

As the pilot outlined difficulties faced in remote regions where each airstrip poses a different set of problems, the designer accepted the challenge. The result is the Kodiak 100, developed by Quest Aircraft Company of Idaho, USA.

Described as ‘a mountain rocket', it is an aircraft uniquely designed to overcome many obstacles of flying in a mission situation.

For MAF, it promises so much more than the Cessna 206 which has long been the backbone at the smaller end of the fleet.

Short runway advantage

Pointed cowling maximises the Kodiak’s take-off thrust, and the 4-blade 96-inch propeller contributes to the same goal while having a 19-inch clearance to allow taxiing on rough terrain.

Its restricted wingspan permits turning in the tight confines of a small airstrip, and its discontinuous leading edge helps control the aircraft dramatically on slow approaches.

Versatility is built in. The landing gear is easily removed for conversion to float operation. And in the utility version, facilities are also easily juggled – from passenger to cargo to half-and-half.

Doors open exceptionally wide to enable patients on stretchers to be boarded easily, and there is a ready supply of spare parts.

The 750-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 turboprop engine is able to pull the aircraft along at a 180-knot cruising speed. Landing is at 60 knots.

Load is up to nine passengers. The plane carries up to 320 gallons of fuel – so it can fly up to 1,200 nautical miles before refuelling.

The Kodiak can also take off on a really short runway – needing less than required by the Cessna 206.

And a display on the aircraft panel shows the pilot a real-time image of surrounding terrain, enabling the plane to be guided easily around heavy storms.

Denny Hoekstra has become MAF’s expert on the new aircraft, the first of which is expected to be delivered in October for use in Indonesia. ‘We are anticipating our Caravan pilots will transition to the Kodiak 100 very easily,’ Denny affirms.

Reliable fuel supply

One of the major features of the new plane is its use of jet fuel. That is far more readily available than the avgas needed by the Cessna 206. The Kodiak can also operate for 4,000 hours between engine overhauls.

With the ability to carry about 68% more cargo weight than the Cessna 206, the Kodiak promises to increase significantly the amount of medical, food or disaster relief delivered in one flight.

In the next 10 years, MAF intends to replace 20 of its Cessna 206s with Kodiak 100s. And in the next 4 years, 13 aircraft should be purchased – 8 for Indonesia, 2 for Central Asia, 2 for service in the Democratic Republic of Congo and 1 for our new operation expected in Nepal.

‘As I investigate fresh countries where MAF could operate, I’m convinced the Kodiak really is our answer for a turbine-powered aircraft in the most difficult and remote areas of the world,’ enthuses long-serving Max Gove.

David Voetmann, now 73, became a missionary after hearing of the death of pilot Nate Saint and others massacred by Waorani (Auca) people in Ecuador. He became an MAF pilot and engineer, flying for 25 years in Africa.

‘I believe this plane will be the next generation’s missionary mule,’ he asserts.