STORIES FROM OUR 
ENGINEERS

Dave Chandler

Arnhem Land
MAF Pilot & Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) in training


After going to Cambodia on a short-term mission trip, Dave knew he wanted to be a missionary. He wanted to do something practical to serve people – like nursing, or being a paramedic or mechanic.

When he heard about MAF, he trained at Mareeba to become a pilot, and has served with MAF in Arnhem Land since 2022. When he had time off from flying he would often drop into the hangar to help out the engineers with cleaning or removing panels from the aircraft for maintenance – that’s when he saw the huge need for more engineers.

“I get to make a real difference every day, serving isolated communities and sharing the love of Jesus in practical ways. If you’re searching for something greater, a life that’s more than just about you, MAF could be the journey you’re looking for.”

Jacob Newth 

Mareeba
MAF Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME)


As a kid, Jacob (‘Jake’) loved pulling all his toys apart to see how they worked, and by 18 years old, he was fixing his car engine on the kitchen table. 

Jake started his aviation engineering career in 2005 as an apprentice. He got his first basic licence in 2010, via the self study pathway, and has since acquired various specialisations. 

When he first heard about MAF and their engineer shortage, he was working for a commercial aviation provider. But a seed was planted.

Jake and his wife applied to MAF, the start of a journey that took around three years from application to placement. Although the Covid-19 pandemic slowed the process slightly, they weren’t in a rush, trusting God’s sovereignty and timing. 

Jake has been serving as an LAME with MAF in Mareeba since 2021. 

I love fixing planes. I could do it for anyone but to be able to do that for the kingdom, like that, that’s what got me…

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

IN A MAF ENGINEER

WHAT IS THE MAF
RECRUITMENT PROCESS?

QUALIFICATIONS

You’ll need some professional
qualifications to be a MAF Engineer:

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer  – certificate IV plus 2 years practical working experience (apprenticeship)Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer  – Diploma plus 2 years practical working experience (apprenticeship)

Opportunities for apprenticeships with MAF International and Partnering Maintenance Engineering organisations are limited. Please contact us to start the conversation. 

SUSTAINABILITY

You’ll need some professional
qualifications to be a MAF Engineer:

We undertake formal interviews focussing on spiritual life, calling and maturity, and some aptitude assessments to evaluate professional abilities.

For those wishing to work overseas, a physical medical and psych assessment are also needed.

ONBOARDING

Acceptance and offer

For those applying to work overseas this will be conditional on the successful completion of all preparation phases including personal fundraising and a pre-field orientation program. 

EMBARKING

Buckle your seatbelts for the final stage as you make your way into the field.

This will include a general induction into the organisation, cross-cultural appreciation and how to maintain personal safety and wellbeing. And once you land in program, we ensure the role induction and training continues, including language training as appropriate, to ensure your journey in MAF continues as smoothly as possible.

GOT QUESTIONS?

Check out our FAQs page for detailed information on specific roles and requirements.

We’d love to talk about how your skills and passion can be purposed for the kingdom with MAF.

[email protected]
1800 650 169