The King commissions MAF’s new plane during charity’s 80th year

HRH with MAF staff in front of new Cessna 208 Caravan (credit: Andy Aitchison)

As part of MAF’s ongoing 80^th anniversary celebrations this year, King Charles unveiled MAF’s latest addition to its fleet at RAF Northolt in West London on Thursday. The new Cessna 208 Caravan will serve Papua New Guinea’s most isolated people in the coming months. MAF’s Claire Gilderson reports…

On 3 April 2025, His Majesty King Charles III revealed the new aircraft to an excited audience at MAF’s special 80^th anniversary event at RAF Northolt – the Royal Air Force’s oldest airbase in the UK.

MAF’s global fleet now comprises 118 aircraft thanks to the generosity of a UK based charitable trust. This latest plane will serve the remotest communities of Papua New Guinea (PNG) – a commonwealth country where the charity has been operating since 1951.

It was a double celebration given that PNG marks 50 years of independence this year.

The big moment His Majesty has been waiting for (credit: Andy Aitchison)

After host MAF UK CEO Donovan Palmer invited the King to press a big red button, the shiny new Cessna 208 Caravan came into view as the hangar door lifted behind him. The spectacle was greeted by audience applause.

King meets pilot Joseph Tua & flight ops supervisor Serah Michael (credit: Andy Aitchison)

MAF pilot Joseph Tua has worked in PNG since 2019 where MAF has its largest programme. Joseph – who will fly the new plane to serve his own people – proudly wore his country’s ceremonial face paint for the occasion. He was particularly excited to meet the King – a fellow pilot who had learnt to fly with the Royal Air Force:

‘To be invited to the UK for the commissioning ceremony of MAFs newest aircraft and to meet the King is insane!

‘MAF carries everything from patients to tonnes of coffee, sweet potatoes, peanuts and oranges. This new aircraft will help us do a lot more.

‘I never dreamed this amazing thing could happen to me. To be a part of this ceremony means everything. I am eternally grateful.’

Joseph Tua – MAF pilot in Papua New Guinea

Fellow Papua New Guinean Serah Michael who is MAF’s flight operations supervisor in PNG, joined the charity in 2021. She is the main contact for medevacs and emergency flights, and this is her first visit to the UK:

‘I am super excited! I never thought I would ever visit the UK. I am proud to be part of this great international organisation bringing help, hope and healing. MAF is truly a lifeline to rural communities especially in my country PNG. I’m just amazed and excited to meet the King. I’m honoured to be at this ceremony. It’s an experience of a lifetime.’

MAF pilot Joseph Tua (L) was ‘amazed and excited’ to meet HRH (credit: Andy Aitchison)

New PNG plane will transport everything from peanuts to patients (credit: Andy Aitchison)

MAF through the ages

Following the ‘big reveal’, the RAF’s Chaplain in Chief, Air Vice-Marshall Giles Legood – who is Honorary Chaplain to the King – declared a short blessing over the new Cessna:

‘May it be a gift to the lives of God’s people and further the coming of His kingdom. We ask this in the name of He who came, not to be served but to serve. Amen.’

MAF International’s Dave Fyock introduces MAF’s 118th aircraft (credit: Andy Aitchison)

HRH meets de Havilland Dragon Rapide owner, David Findon (c) (credit: A. Aitchison)

Following the blessing, His Majesty was invited to inspect both the new aircraft and an old 1940s de Havilland Dragon Rapide biplane, which was also part of the display.

This same vintage aircraft model was used by MAF in 1950 when the charity first began operating in Sudan. The Dragon Rapide’s owner, David Findon, was on hand to answer the King’s questions.

Rachel Phipps (white top), Matthew Veale (blue tie) & Josh White (grey tie) (A. Aitchison)

As part of the event, His Majesty met some of MAF’s longest serving staff and volunteers including:

• Michael Duncalfe – a former MAF pilot, crew training manager, flight operations manager and flight examiner who served in PNG for 25 years until 2019.
• Dr Luc Vandamme – MAF’s volunteer coordinator and speaker in Wales and southwestern England where he has raised MAF’s profile for over 10 years.
• Rachel Phipps – MAF’s HR manager who has supported MAF’s people in a variety of international roles for 30 years.

HRH meets Dom Sant – MAF’s country director in PNG (credit: Andy Aitchison)

The King also met some of MAF’s newest recruits and trainees including:

• Joshua White – a trainee pilot who is due to start serving overseas in 2026.
• Matthew Veale – a trainee aircraft engineer who is also due to start serving overseas in 2026.
• Dominic Sant – MAF’s country director in PNG who has served the country’s most isolated communities since 2021.

Donovan Palmer: ‘Having the support of the King is a privilege’ (credit: Andy Aitchison)

MAF UK CEO Donovan Palmer sums up the success of the event. This was the second time he met the King following MAF’s recognition at Buckingham Palace in February:

‘Meeting and having the support of the King is a privilege. His love for the people of PNG is evident, demonstrated by his genuine interest in the local culture and ability to speak some Tok Pisin. 

‘MAF is committed to the long-term development of PNG. By using this new aircraft to fly food to market, deliver building equipment, transport teachers and carry out medical evacuations, previously isolated villages will be transformed, modernised and connected to the outside world – some for the very first time.’

Donovan Palmer – MAF UK CEO

The King bids farewell after learning about MAF’s incredible work (credit: Andy Aitchison)

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