Common questions
Your office is in the USA -- to what countries do you fly?
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.
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I am looking for employment. May I send my résumé for you to consider?
New Tribes Mission is not an employer paying a wage, salary, or compensation for personnel. Since NTM Aviation is a part of New Tribes Mission, all NTM Aviation personnel are responsible to raise their own support.
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I'm an experienced pilot. Can I volunteer my vacation time to fly for NTM Aviation?
At this time this is not possible. Orientation and training are key issues, but of greater concern are pilot certification and language barriers.
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In the host countries where NTM 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 NTM Aviation operates there are few, if any, English speakers.
In addition, pilots are a key component in planting tribal churches by maintaining relationships with the missionaries and tribal people they serve. Pilots not only carry supplies and mail, but they also are able to share words of encouragement to a fellow missionary who may be in need of spiritual refreshment.
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I'm an experienced aircraft mechanic (engineer); can I volunteer my time to help?
Please inquire by contacting us: 520-642-9280 or NTMAviation@ntm.org
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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:
a. 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.
b. 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?
c. A community college or technical school may also offer a degree upon graduation and is usually less expensive than a university.
d. Do you have a friend with an airplane who is willing to make a deal with you to fly their airplane?
e. Can you afford to purchase and maintain a relatively inexpensive airplane to use as a trainer and then sell it when you are finished?
f. 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.
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Can I be a pilot without having an aircraft maintenance license?
A pilot should be mechanic (engineer) certified because of the locations where NTM 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 NTM 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 NTM 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.
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How do I become a part of NTM Aviation?
a. Fill out an NTM Preliminary Questionnaire available online: www.ntm.org/go/apply.php
b. Schedule to attend a technical evaluation
c. Complete NTM missionary training
d. Complete NTM Aviation orientation and advanced training
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What happens during technical evaluation?
Pilot Evaluation:
You will fly with NTM Aviation field-experienced instructor pilots. There are no trick questions as we are not trying to prevent people from becoming a part of NTM 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, takeoffs and landings, etc. Candidates must comply with Commercial Pilot standards. Each candidate is evaluated as an individual.
Mechanic Evaluation:
You will work in the shop with NTM 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 sheetmetal project. Maintenance specialists will also inspect an engine cylinder. Each candidate is evaluated as an individual.
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How long is NTM training?
For support workers (including pilots) the course lasts about one school year, or roughly 10 months. The NTM campus is located in the central USA near Camdenton, Missouri. Get more information >>
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