Cameroon
Stationed in Yaounde, Cameroon, is a Robinson R66 helicopter that flies to eight regions of the country. Prior to the R66, a Robinson R44 served these areas of Central Africa. However, as avgas importation became increasingly difficult, it became logistically optimal to transition to the R66’s turbine engine. The accessibility of jet fuel, robust turbine capabilities for mountainous terrain, and increased capacity for cargo and passengers were just a few of the benefits of transitioning to the R66.
Working with the Cameroon Baptist Convention (CBC), JAARS is able to assist with medical emergencies and needs across the country. Many of the large hospitals and health centers in Cameroon are run by the CBC, allowing various medical teams to be deployed on village outreaches. Most villages have a soccer field that serves as a helicopter landing zone. Dental, optometry, and general health teams utilize the R66 for a week to visit and care for seven to eight villages at a time. Not only do the teams provide consultation and medication for physical needs, they also minister to the spiritual needs of people on their mission to provide the hope and comfort of everlasting life.
Aaron Oakes, helicopter pilot and mechanic in Cameroon since 2021, shared, “The opportunity to see people work with such isolated people groups – that’s something I never thought I’d get
to see. It’s the kind of thing you read about.” After serving 22 years in the U.S. Army flying and fixing the AH-64 Apache, he and his wife evaluated their options. “(Mission aviation) was the only thing that really made sense. Every experience I’ve had in my career, both inside and outside aviation, has pointed toward mission aviation whether I knew it or not. It wasn’t something I set out to do, but it was definitely something you look back at and think, ‘Wow, this is pretty straightforward.’”
Many of the aviation staff, Oakes included, play multiple roles beyond aviation. From the chief of maintenance to helicopter pilots, staff help lead 4WD and motorcycle training. Providing local residents and translators with the skillsets to recover and maintain their vehicles makes their travel safer and more sustainable. Translators from organizations such as Wycliffe Bible Translators, SIL Global, and Lutheran Bible Translators are then equipped to serve their language groups with a variety of transportation means.
Papua New Guinea
In the Oceania island nation of Papua New Guinea, a Bell 206 LongRanger often takes off just after dawn to take advantage of good weather. With two Bell 206L3 helicopters in the country, JAARS transports cargo and passengers into densely forested mountain areas. With 55-gallon drums of Jet-A fuel and a medical evacuation
litter kit, the Bell 206 makes logistical fuel-storage trips and life-saving flights.
In the eastern highlands of the country, the Aiyura airstrip serves as the base of operations at 5,100 feet MSL. From this airport, flights serve communities across the country, navigating terrain that ranges from sea level to 12,000 feet within a small region.
“We have to be very careful with monitoring weather and fuel planning,” explains Pilot Greg Raychard. “We have drums of fuel stored in strategic locations around the country. It’s common to refuel from drums several times a day out in the bush.” Coordinating fuel logistics, flying into remote airstrips and landing zones, and calculating weight- and-balance is often done using JAARS FlightSpan, an electronic flight bag (EFB) designed for remote aviation.
These flights in the bush serve similar purposes to the operations in Cameroon, transporting Bible translators and medical teams to communities where linguistic work and medical care can take place. In many villages, athletic fields or sport courts allow helicopters to land where fixed-wing aircraft cannot.
To subsidize the cost of these flights, commercial flights also are flown by JAARS pilots and aircraft. JAARS’ aviation operations, its pilots and their families also are funded by generous supporting donors.
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