Questions

• Do you make missionary flights from the U.S.?
• I'm an experienced pilot. Can I volunteer my vacation time to fly for Ethnos360 Aviation?
• I'm an experienced aircraft mechanic (engineer); can I volunteer my time to help?
• How can I acquire missionary aviation training?
• Can I be a pilot without having an aircraft maintenance license?
• How do I become a part of Ethnos360 Aviation?
• What happens during candidate evaluation?
• How long is Ethnos360 training?

Do you make missionary flights from the U.S.?

We don’t make missionary flights from the USA unless we ferry a newly acquired or rebuilt plane to the field, or bring a used plane from the field back to our international flight center in the USA to refurbish and retrofit it with new equipment.

I'm an experienced pilot. Can I volunteer my vacation time to fly for Ethnos360 Aviation?

At this time this is not possible. Orientation and training are key issues, but of greater concern are pilot certification and language barriers.

In the host countries where Ethnos360 Aviation serves, the national aviation authority of that country must certify personnel. Living and ministering in another country also requires competence in the national language, and while English is generally recognized as the international language of aviation, this is mostly true only at large or international airports. In the remote areas where Ethnos360 Aviation operates, there are few, if any, English speakers.

I'm an experienced aircraft mechanic (engineer); can I volunteer my time to help?

Please inquire by contacting us at 520-642-9280 or personnel-aviation@ntm.org.

How can I acquire missionary aviation training?

There is no perfect or preferred way to go about training, but here are a few items to consider:

• Missionary-specific schools often borrow field-experienced instructors from missionary organizations. Students who are constantly exposed to missionaries can be highly motivated and encouraged through the years of training.
• Universities usually offer a degree upon graduation, but this is often associated with large training expenses. Is a degree worth the expense, effort and time to you?
• A community college or technical school may also offer a degree upon graduation and is usually less expensive than a university.
• Do you have a friend with an airplane who is willing to make a deal with you to fly their airplane?
• Can you afford to purchase and maintain a relatively inexpensive airplane to use as a trainer and then sell it when you are finished?
• Aviation is just plain expensive no matter how you go about it. A typical missionary pilot spends an average of 10 years between school, paying debt, gaining experience, and missionary-specific training before they are ready to head to the field.

Can I be a pilot without having an aircraft maintenance license?

A pilot should be mechanic (engineer) certified because of the locations where Ethnos360 Aviation flies. In the bush, where there are few or no other options for travel, a pilot needs to have the knowledge and skills to make a repair should a problem develop. If the pilot cannot immediately fix the problem because of a lack of tools or parts, the pilot should be able to accurately troubleshoot the problem in order to acquire the correct tools or parts, which can then be flown to the location in one flight. If a mechanic must travel to that location to assess the situation, but then not have the needed tools or parts because of an incomplete description or incorrect diagnosis of the problem given by the pilot, an additional flight is needed, which raises the cost of repairs.

A pilot should be mechanic (engineer) certified because we usually never have enough mechanic specialists. If Ethnos360 Aviation had more mechanic specialists, we might be able to afford the luxury of splitting responsibilities between pilots (flying) and mechanics (inspections and maintenance).

A pilot should be mechanic (engineer) certified because of aircraft paperwork. All aircraft are subject to inspections, maintenance and repairs; a legal record of the aircraft maintenance history is required by every country where Ethnos360 Aviation flies. A pilot-mechanic is able to assist a maintenance specialist perform most or all of the work and have the authority, based on the level of certification, to sign the paperwork declaring the airplane to be safe and legal for flight.

There could be special circumstances if you have other skills and experience such as: extensive flying, training as a flight safety officer, management or other experience.

How do I become a part of Ethnos360 Aviation?

1. Fill out an Ethnos360 preliminary questionnaire online.
2. Apply for Ethnos360 missionary training (Complete application by November 1).
3. Attend the Ethnos360 Aviation  candidate evaluation (held each January).
4. Complete one year of Ethnos360 missionary training (which begins each August).
5. Complete Ethnos360 Aviation orientation and advanced training.

What happens during candidate evaluation?

Pilot Evaluation:  You will fly with Ethnos360 Aviation field-experienced instructor pilots. There are no trick questions, as we are not trying to prevent people from becoming a part of Ethnos360 Aviation, but we do want to see what each person is capable of doing. You will be given tasks such as the four basics: navigation, airmanship, instrument flight, and takeoffs and landings. Candidates must comply with Commercial Pilot standards. Each candidate is evaluated as an individual.

Mechanic Evaluation:  You will work in the shop with Ethnos360 Aviation field-experienced mechanic (engineer) instructors.  You will be given three tasks:  inspect and service a component (likely a magneto), troubleshoot and repair an electrical mock-up, and fabricate a sheet metal project.  Maintenance specialists will also inspect an engine cylinder.  Each candidate is evaluated as an individual.

Candidate Interviews: During this week at Ethnos360 Aviation headquarters in Arizona, in addition to evaluating your technical aviation skills, we also interview you and your spouse.  We’ll present a realistic portrayal of the work that Ethnos360 Aviation does in support of pioneer church planting. We’ll lay out accurate expectations of the type of ministry ahead and what it will take to serve successfully. We’ll evaluate you and your family’s alignment with Ethnos360 Aviation values, mission and model of service.

You will gain an accurate view of the type of ministry ahead so that you understand the family dynamics, spiritual maturity, willingness to sacrifice and ability to work with others which are required to serve successfully.

At the same time, you will evaluate Ethnos360 Aviation. Are we the type of ministry that you can get behind and wholeheartedly serve with?

How long is Ethnos360 training?

For support workers (including pilots), the course lasts about one school year or roughly 10 months. The Ethnos360 USA campus is located in the central USA near Camdenton, Missouri.  The Ethnos Canada campus is in Durham, Ontario.  Learn more about Ethnos360 USA training or Ethnos Canada training called Emanate.