From Remote Airstrips to New Heights: My Aviation Journey

My Journey into the Aviation Industry

My first encounter with civil aviation and its workings dates back to my primary school days at Lumi Primary School in West Sepik Province. I vividly recall learning about Orville and Wilbur Wright, famously known as the Wright Brothers, and their groundbreaking achievement of designing and flying the world’s first airplane in 1903. That story sparked my initial curiosity about aviation.

Years went by, and although my knowledge of aviation faded, my fascination endured—particularly with the small planes operated by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). These twin-otter planes were a lifeline for remote communities, flying in and out of the airstrip near Lumi Station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Their routes connected Vanimo, Lumi, Tadzi, Boram, Angukunak, and Amanab, providing vital services to East and West Sepik provinces where road access was nearly impossible. Remarkably, these planes could cover the entire two provinces in a single day—a feat unimaginable by road.

Whenever a plane landed, the excitement was contagious. My classmates and I would abandon our lessons and race to the airstrip fence to watch the planes taxi down the runway. Our teachers, often exasperated, would chase us back into the classroom, but the thrill of watching those planes stayed with me.

My first experience on a plane was when I was just two years old. I traveled on a single-engine MAF Cessna from our home to Vanimo and then to Amanab, Green River along the PNG-Indonesia border. At the time, papa was posted there to pastor our local church. Mama would later recount stories of our journeys between Vanimo, Lumi, and Amanab.

She often described how, during rainy seasons, the pilot would skillfully maneuver the plane through the Kilifas Mountains to reach the airstrip near the Dio River. One particular story involved my father booking tickets through the local agent via an old-fashioned telephone and Radio Sandaun. The early morning next day, we crossed the Dio River to Amanab Station to board our flight.

Mama always spoke fondly of a trusted MAF pilot named Rueben, who hailed from Yangoru in East Sepik. Known for his expertise, Pilot Rueben navigated challenging weather conditions and mountainous terrain with ease. To us, he was a hero, and we trusted him completely. Watching him pilot the twin-otter MAF aircraft made me admire the skills and dedication of aviators.

My first independent flight came when I was selected to begin my studies at PNG University of Technology (Unitech). I boarded a Fokker 100 aircraft from Vanimo, transiting through Port Moresby before arriving in Lae. As a typical ples man (village boy), I had no idea how this massive “big bird” would soar so much higher than the small planes of my childhood.

That flight was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. I struggled to fasten my seatbelt as the flight attendant demonstrated the process. For the first time, I was traveling without my parents, but I found comfort in the company of friends also heading to Lae for their studies.

As time went on, I completed my education—primary, secondary, and eventually university—and graduated with a degree. With my qualification in hand, I began the inevitable job hunt, sending out numerous applications but with little success. During this time, I took up a part-time lecturing position in the IT section of the Business Studies Department at PNG Unitech. While I found the role fulfilling, I realized that I needed practical industry exposure to complement my academic knowledge.

Determined to broaden my career prospects, I resumed my job search. One day, while scanning the newspaper, I came across a job advertisement that caught my eye. It was for the National Airports Corporation’s (NAC) first Graduate Development Program. Intrigued, I decided to apply.

The recruitment process was rigorous, with interviews, tests, and multiple assessments conducted by HR to identify the most suitable candidates. About a month later, I received the career-changing news—I had been selected. I officially joined NAC, marking the beginning of my career in the aviation sector.

Resigning from Unitech to join NAC was a pivotal moment in my career. Little did I know, it was the start of an incredible journey in PNG’s aviation industry—a journey that continues to soar higher every day.