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Future Pilot Programme
No flight experience needed. If you have faith and a sense of calling, we’ll take you from zero to mission-ready, with the mentorship and training to back it up.
Turn your dream into a reality
MAF UK is excited to offer a sponsored pilot training programme to assist people with a passion for mission aviation to join MAF and serve overseas.
If you’re successful, we will help you achieve the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary to obtain a Commercial Pilots Licence and a Command Instrument Rating.
You will then go on to serve in an MAF programme in either the Africa or Asia-Pacific region.
There are five steps through the training programme, each of which must be completed to an acceptable standard within the allotted time frame as determined by our training staff.
Becoming an MAF pilot is an expensive proposition and often beyond the means of many. Through this scheme, MAF UK will provide financial assistance by employing selected trainees on fixed-term contracts throughout the training period. This assists with living expenses and accommodation costs as well as flight training costs directly related to qualifying for overseas service.
In view of MAF UK’s investment, successful candidates will be required to sign a training agreement committing them to overseas service with MAF following the completion of their licences and practical experience.
This agreement will normally last for six years, starting from deployment overseas. (Self-withdrawal from training or overseas service may require pro-rata repayment of training-related costs.)
All flight training will be conducted at MATC (MAF’s preferred training partner in the Netherlands), which trains pilots for MAF ministry using our Standard Operating Procedures and competency framework. Experience building under the supervision of MATC may be conducted in the UK.
Accepted trainees will initially complete 5-6 months of fundraising and induction. Flight preparation, including theory and practical, typically takes 2.5 years.
Bible college and further induction activities would normally be completed in a further six months.
Interested parties must register and attend an information event so they fully understand MAF’s training programme. Applications can then be made through our website. Selection will be made using a series of interviews and assessments. The final stage will include flight assessments at our preferred training centre.
Explore
FPP Information Event
Application
Selection
Selected trainees will complete their Private Pilots Licence (PPL) and practical experience building through MATC, our preferred flight training centre, located at Teuge Airport in the Netherlands.
Build
PPL Theory
PPL Training
Experience Building
Practical preparation and ongoing Support Raising
Following successful completion of the BUILD phase, trainees must pass an MAF assessment before commencing advanced theory and proceeding to further flight training.
Confirm
MAF Assessment
CPL / ATPL Theory
Experience Building
Practical preparation and ongoing Support Raising
Trainees continue their flight training and must successfully pass each component before moving on to the next.
Expand
IFR Training
IFR Experience Building
CPL Training
Advanced Flight Training
Practical preparation and ongoing Support Raising
Following completion of the flight components, trainees complete a short residential Bible college course, induction, and security training before overseas deployment.
Go
Ongoing Support Raising
Bible College
MAFI Orientation
Security Training
Deployment
Educational and other requirements
Application and selection
Accepted trainees are required to maintain excellent attendance and to perform consistently well in the theoretical and practical aspects of the programme. Movement from one stage to the next is dependent on satisfactory completion in an acceptable time frame. Trainees are also expected to adhere to the standards of behaviour outlined in MAF’s Conduct Policy. Failure to maintain acceptable standards may result in their participation in the scheme being concluded.
After completing both the theoretical and practical components, candidates will be required to attend a ten-week residential course at Bible college.
All trainees will be required to raise a proportion of what it costs to undertake training and serve overseas. MAF UK has a dedicated support person who will assist trainees in this process. Though candidates may be unfamiliar with this step, most applicants achieve their financial targets within the allotted time frame. Minimum targets need to be attained before training can begin.
The number of places each year is limited, so the application process is highly competitive. To be considered, applicants must attend an MAF Future Pilot Programme information event.
Closing date: 26 June 2026
The selection process is open and will continue to be for a short while after the closing date. The process will include interviews, technical evaluations, and the completion of medical and psychological assessments.
After prayerfully considering the information in these documents, please complete the online application process. If you have questions during this process, feel free to drop us an email.
Applicants must be resident in the UK or Ireland and have the support of their local home Church in order to apply to MAF UK for this training opportunity.
Reach out to us with any specific questions you have about the scheme and we'll be happy to help.
We are committed to protecting your privacy, and promise to respect your personal information and do all we can to keep it safe. This includes not selling or sharing personal details with third parties for marketing purposes. You can find out more about how we process your data at www.maf-uk.org/privacy. You can withdraw your consent at any time by calling 01303 852819 or emailing supporter.relations@maf-uk.org