Papua New Guinea

Join the team that brings care and the gospel by seaplane.

For 80% of people in Papua New Guinea, medical care is out of reach. Our seaplanes can be the difference between life and death.

Start the conversation

400+flights a year

10,000+lbsof medical supplies a year

170+villages a year

9 in 10patients are urgent or critical

Who we are

In the Sepik, the river is the road.

Samaritan Aviation has flown in Papua New Guinea since 2010. Our Cessna 206 floatplanes land on the river at villages where the river is the road.

Every flight is free to the patient. Every patient hears the gospel and receives an audio Bible in their own language. We serve Gulf Province now, and our Kapuna base (docks, hangar and staff housing) is being built.

Villagers in dugout canoes gather around a Samaritan Aviation floatplane at a river village

A floatplane moored beside the green bank of a river, seen from the air

Watch

See the work up close

The river ahead, seen from the cockpit of a floatplane

A floatplane takes off past a village built on stilts over the water

The roles

Our field team needs

A Samaritan Aviation pilot at the controls of a floatplane

Role 01Long-term

Line Pilot

To fly life flights, medical supply runs and disaster relief. No minimum hours.

Learn more about the Line Pilot role I’m interested in the Line Pilot role

A mechanic works at the engine cowling of a floatplane in the hangar

Role 02Long-term

Line Mechanic

To keep the fleet airworthy through salt, silt and humidity.

Learn more about the Line Mechanic role I’m interested in the Line Mechanic role

Two mechanics work together on a wing strut in the hangar

Role 03Long-term

Director of Maintenance

To lead the hangar team and its spiritual life.

Learn more about the Director of Maintenance role I’m interested in the Director of Maintenance role

A floatplane moored at the Kapuna dock at dusk

Role 04Long-term

Country Director

To lead the whole PNG operation.

Learn more about the Country Director role I’m interested in the Country Director role

Samaritan Aviation field staff, missionaries and national team members, in front of a floatplane

Role 05Long-term or one year

Finance & HR Manager

To care for our national team through HR, bookkeeping and payroll.

Learn more about the Finance & HR Manager role I’m interested in the Finance & HR Manager role

A construction crew at the footings of a new building above the coast

Role 06Long-term or short-term

Project Manager / Base Manager

To build in Wewak and Kapuna and keep every base running.

Learn more about the Project Manager / Base Manager role I’m interested in the Project Manager / Base Manager role

Staff check boxes of medical supplies against a list in the hangar

Role 07Long-term or short-term

Medical Coordinator

To triage incoming life-flight calls, run medical supply inventory and train local licensed nurses.

Learn more about the Medical Coordinator role I’m interested in the Medical Coordinator role

Ways to serve

Five ways to serve

In any field role

Long-term

A two-year, renewable commitment, including a required six-month return home.

Connect
with us
Application
Family evaluations
Vision trip to PNG
Language and cross-cultural training
Arrival on the field

Typically 12 to 24 months from application to arrival on the field.

A lighter process

Short-term role

Finance & HR Manager (one year), Project Manager / Base Manager (including three months) and Medical Coordinator.

Application
Interview
Background check

A man stands on the wing of a floatplane outside the hangar

Short-term team

Three weeks on a maintenance team of two or three, or a construction team of about five.

Application
Background check
Logistics paperwork

I’m interested in a short-term team Learn more about short-term teams

A staff member stands on the wing of a floatplane on the ramp outside the hangar

Internship

Four weeks in Wewak for aviation students on the pilot or A&P track.

Application
Interview
Background check
Logistics paperwork

I’m interested in the internship Learn more about the internship

The Wewak hangar and floatplanes reflected on a wet apron

Contract

Two-year contract

The Director of Maintenance seat is also offered as a two-year contract.

Ask about the contract

The Samaritan Aviation field team stands beside a floatplane

Every role is a ministry role.

Pilots, mechanics and leaders take part in hospital ministry, village and aid-post outreach, and discipleship of national staff. Someone looking to fly and clock out won’t thrive here. Someone who wants their skills to carry care and the gospel up the river will.

For churches

Four ways your church can help

We have a church kit ready for you: a one-page brief, a bulletin insert and a short announcement. Ask us for it, or start with a conversation. We’d love to hear from you.

Open the church brief (PDF, 4 MB) Start the conversation

Supporters share a meal at a long table under a tent

Announce

Announce our openings from the pulpit, in the bulletin or by email.

Refer

Refer someone who fits, for any role on our field team.

Send a team

Send a team for three weeks.

Send a person

Send one of your own and become their sending church.

Next step

Start with a conversation.

For long-term roles, it’s typically 12 to 24 months from application to arrival on the field, and it starts with a conversation. We’d love to hear from you.

(480) 581-1940 · contact@samaritanaviation.org

First name

Last name

Phone (optional)

Role you’re interested in

If you’re married, you both apply, and you can tell us about your spouse here.

Your church or school (optional)

Anything you’d like us to know (optional)

Send me occasional updates by email.

A person on our team will reply personally. We only add you to our email list if you tick the box. Privacy notice