Whether you have zero flight hours, or are already a seasoned missionary pilot, or somewhere in between, MATA employs great scheduling flexibility to meet the training needs of each student!
Experience & Credentials
Years of training and experience are needed to acquire the technical skills and competency required to become a missionary pilot. Additonal training may be needed for upgrading or maintaining your piloting skills. Additionally, mission aviation organizations seek people who are well grounded in their Christian faith and walk, and who have a real desire to serve others. You may hear, “We’re looking for missionaries first, and pilots second.” Evidence of a growing relationship with the Lord and a heart for and history of service are usually expected.
Expect to need the minimum following credentials:
- Medical Certificate Second Class
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot Certificate
- 300 to 500 hours logged pilot time
Organizations may have additional requirements such as Bible school or Bible training, a year or more working in an aircraft maintenance shop, and aircraft-specific training and experience for floatplanes, turbine aircraft, or helicopters. Most mission aviation organizations also require their pilots to be aircraft mechanics in order to maintain aircraft in an airworthy condition, perform required inspections, and make field repairs, if necessary, at isolated airstrips.
Before Applying to MATA
1. Applicants should have a very strong and distinct urging or sense of “call” from the Lord before embarking on the journey to become a missionary pilot. Some may feel led to a particular organization or field, others may sense only a general direction and need to learn about various organizations, their fields of service, the aircraft they operate, etc. We expect individuals to pray long and hard for discernment, and to solicit prayer from mature Christians to help confirm their sense of the Holy Spirit’s leading.
2. MATA strongly recommends individuals interested in training for mission aviation ministry to share their calling with their local church (pastor, missions committee, ministry mobilizer, etc.), family, and friends. A support team will be required to provide encouragement, accountability, financial assistance, and prayer on their behalf. You will not be able to train, prepare, and later thrive in life and ministry on the field without the help of many others.
3. MATA generally requires prospective students to earn the aircraft mechanic certificates prior to flight training. Exceptions are those who are candidates for mission aviation organizations which do not require them to be mechanics, usually because they have other desirable credentials and work experience in fields such as IT, bookkeeping, management, construction, etc.
4. As stewards of donated resources, MATA is obligated to invest in Christians who seek to glorify God with their lives, pursue excellence in their life endeavors, and persevere in the long journey leading to aviation service on a mission field. Individuals interested in applying for training with MATA submit an application (found under “How To Apply” ) which asks about the applicant’s experience of salvation, Christian growth and walk, current church participation and service, call to missions, and interest in and knowledge about aviation ministry.
