Pilot perspective: First landing on a new airstrip

The first C208 (MAF’s Cessna Caravan aircraft) landing at Aiyu was a big moment for the community. I was welcomed with a singsing, the participants dancing around the aircraft.

All the local dignitaries were in attendance (local government members, pastors, newly appointed MAF agent) and each gave a short speech on the specially constructed bush material podium.

I was also asked to give a speech on behalf of MAF, so my Tok Pisin was put to the test! I told them how pleased we were to begin serving this new airstrip and community. I gave them some instruction on care and maintenance of the strip.

The community told me that their nearest operational airstrips were at least a full day's walk away over difficult, swampy terrain (Kwieftim, 15 km to the north west, and Edwaki, 22 km to the south).

In fact, both of these strips are often closed due to difficult natural conditions, which can make landing there unsafe for the aircraft. It may be that Aiyu becomes the new hub for the area.

Just recently I made my first medevac at Aiyu, to pick up a boy who had fallen from a coconut tree. His arm was badly broken and his leg injured.

I was able to take him to Lumi, where he and his father could be looked after by friends in the area, while treatment was received at the clinic there.

The Aiyu airstrip is built on an elevated plateau, so it drains well and has a good, firm surface. The community received help and expertise from the Rural Airstrip Agency to restore the airstrip. You can read about the partnership between MAF and RAA below which enables these communities to restore old airstrips here.

The community are very keen to keep it in good condition as they hope MAF will be able to provide a regular service for things like medevacs, medical supplies for the clinic, supplies for the local school and training for the pastors.