Ethnos360 Aviation - History

ETHNOS360 AVIATION

McNeal, Arizona

( a long post - I hope my armchair travelers enjoy!😉)

Ethnos360 is a church planting organization for all the unreached tribes worldwide.

This campus serves pioneer church planting teams in the remotest regions of Brazil, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines by using aircraft to bring food, supplies, transportation and medical services to the villages.

I love the art work that the missionaries bring from the very remote villages.

This material is pretty to look at but very rough.  It is made from something like a pineapple leaf that has been scrubbed and scraped 

to make into a cloth that is serviceable.

It is a nice decoration.

I know a pilot who just about drools at the sight of this hangar.

They still use some airplanes, but most areas are transitioning to helicopters.

Not having to build a runway in the jungle is a big benefit.

This one will be painted in the  Red & White colors that identify Ethnos aircraft.

It helps the armies identify the 'good guys'

(instead of the drug dealers)

THE KIDNAPPED AIRPLANE

Paul Dye flew  from a remote Columbian village 

to help a sick missionary from New Tribes Mission in 1985 

They were captured by guerrillas who seized the single-engine Cessna 185.

After 5 days of being captured,  Paul slipped out of the hut where he was being held, moved the hijacked Cessna to a narrow jungle clearing and flew to safety.  

“It was pitch black, there was no moon, and he did not even know how much fuel he had left”

“Paul went until his fuel ran out, an he managed to just clear some tree tops and set down in a field.  The next morning he radioed some friends who flew in some more gas and he was able to take off and get back.”

THIS IS THE VERY AIRPLANE!

This one is close to Lou's heart - they are putting together a J-3 Cub --

the one he learned to fly in.

The rebuilding of this airplane is part of their mechanics training.

It was fun to watch one of the students in the simulator.

He was attempting to land on an aircraft carrier.

First try - not so good.

Second one - nailed it! 😅

HISTORY

Tribal Air Communication became New Tribes Mission Aviation, then that became Ethnos360 Aviation.  It is the aviation arm of the Ethnos360-a church planting mission and supports all aspects of the mission to have a church for all people groups, especially in the remotest parts of the world.

Transporting goods by air is so much easier and faster 

than going by boat or over trails in the jungles.

The Goal:

A Thriving Church for Every People Group.

Emergency medical care is so vital.

THE JOBS:

In addition to all the aircraft issues, Ethnos 360A teaches and trains the missionaries for the field.  That includes training in the cultural issues and language.  The families are housed here, children are either home-schooled or enrolled in the local schools.  

It is indeed a pleasure to serve here and observe all that God is doing to take His Gospel to the "Ends of the World"