December 28^th was the first day of operations for P2-MKK in Papua New Guinea. Pilot Nick Swalm tells us about the Airvans first day on the job: 

The first sector was Mt Hagen to Yambaitok. The aircraft was full of 350kgs of food supplies for the local health care worker. As I unloaded the aircraft I explained to them that this was the first operational flight in PNG for this aircraft. They were very pleased that this planes first bush landing was at their place.

From there we were empty up the valley to Yenkis airstrip where we picked up a health care worker and a student to take to the Enga Baptist Hospital at Kompiam, where the majority of the patients in the area go and a number of schools.

From Kompiam I carried 2 students returning to Yumbaitok from school and two patients returning to Iropeno. Also on board was one new born baby. Both patients had been medivaced into Kompiam a couple weeks prior and now were returning home.

From Iropeno I picked up a student who was headed to school. As I waited for the passenger and cargo Iexplained to the community that this was MKK’s first day flying passengers in PNG and that it has been given as a gift to help us serve communities in PNG like theirs.

The agent translated what I had said into the local dialect and the 100 people, or so, that were standing around the airstrip erupted into applause and cheers.

Then the community leader stepped forward from the crowd and through a translator said:

“We want to give our sincere thanks to the people who donated this aircraft, and to MAF who continue to serve us and others here in PNG. Two weeks ago we sent these two patients to the hospital on the plane and now you have brought them back healthy. Because of our airstrip none of the other aircraft (larger Twin 

Otters, Caravans) can land here only the small GA8 and 206. We are very thankful to see a new aircraft come to MAF PNG that can come to our place and help us. Thank you!”

In it’s first day of operations alone it made an impact on a handful of communities in need of its service here in PNG, carrying food, patients and students to and from these remote areas. It is such a blessing to have a new airplane and to conside how many lives it will impact here in PNG over the coming years.