Reflections

A $1.8 million aeroplane dedicated on Avondale College's Hunter Valley campus on May 25 recognises the School of Aviation's role in training Seventh-day Adventist mission pilots.

The new PAC 750XL landed at Cessnock Airport the day before the ceremony as part of its maiden voyage from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea (PNG), a significant destination at a time when many flight operators are pulling out of the country because of rising costs. The church will use the aeroplane, which will be the first of its kind to enter PNG, to transport food, building supplies, medical staff and medical supplies to remote highland communities.

Pastor Roger Millist (Theology, 1979), chief pilot and chief executive officer of the church in PNG's Adventist Aviation Services (AAS), spoke highly of the School of Aviation during his speech. He challenged young pilots to consider serving the church as missionaries. "There's more to flying than being a taxi driver in a jet aeroplane," he said.

Dr Brad Kemp, associate general secretary for the church in the South Pacific, offered the prayer, dedicating the aeroplane in part to the church's mission pilots "who put their lives at risk but who do it with purpose and passion." They bring hope to remote communities by reminding the members of these communities they are not isolated, not forgotten, said Dr Kemp.

The church's first mission pilot, Pastor Len Barnard, now retired and living in Cooranbong, established AAS in 1964. He praised the church for its boldness in purchasing the aeroplane, saying, "I never thought I'd see the day."

About 50 pilots have flown for AAS and Avondale has trained many of them, including two of the current four, Boris Ambrus and Damon Roberts. Other alumni spoke during the ceremony. Pastor Colin Dunn (Education, 1987) described the aeroplane as a "mechanical and comfort move forward of a quantum leap." Pastor Russell Gibbs (Theology, 1969) wished Millist well. "God speed to you, Roger, because we know you'll need God on your side."

Local church members in the South Pacific have responded enthusiastically to the tales of the highly skilled mission pilots, raising $350,000 through the mission offering at camp meetings over the past two years. The project "caught the imagination of [our members] because they want to contribute to something significant," said Dr Kemp.

Millist described the aeroplane as "versatile and rugged." Hamilton, New Zealand-based Pacific Aerospace Corporation built it specifically for the needs of AAS. The turbine engine can take the aeroplane from brake release to 22,000 feet in 22 minutes. It seats a pilot and nine passengers, carries enough fuel to fly for five hours and features: a cargo pod; a satellite phone; full co-pilot's instrument panel; and heavy duty landing gear. "This aeroplane is a clear statement the church is serious . . . about being God's hands and feet in PNG," said Millist.

AAS has not had a new aeroplane since 1977. The Quiet Hour, an independent, supporting ministry of the church, purchased the first two, a Cessna 180 and a Piper Aztec. It is now raising money through its "Airplanes for the world" project for a third.

WITH MELODY TAN/ADVENTIST NEWS NETWORK