FAQ

We currently operate 25 single-engine aircraft, three twin-engine aircraft and four helicopters. To learn more about the individual aircraft we operate, please click here.

The number constantly fluctuates. Currently, we have approximately 68 active pilot-mechanics, 38 mechanics and six avionics technicians.

We currently have aviation programs in:

• Brazil
• Cameroon
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Southeast Asia
• Waxhaw, N.C.

During our 60-year history, we have also served in Alaska, Australia, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Liberia, Panama, Peru, South Asia and Sudan.

Yes. We gladly partner with other mission aviation organizations, including:

• Bible College of Victoria in Australia, by providing a maintenance trainer for their mission aviation course.
• Moody Aviation in Spokane, Washington, by providing a flight trainer.
• SAMAIR in Peru, by providing a maintenance specialist and training their pilots and mechanics.
• AIM AIR in Kenya, by providing a pilot and training their pilots and mechanics.
• YAJASI in Southeast Asia, by providing aircraft, pilots and mechanics.

We are continually training local people for a variety of aviation roles, including pilots and mechanics. In some areas, such as Southeast Asia, local people have joined the JAARS team as certified pilots and maintenance specialists.

Pilot

• Minimum 500 hours flight time.
• Commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating.*
• Valid Class II medical certificate (or equivalent).
• Tailwheel and high performance endorsements.
• Mechanic certificate, airframe and powerplant ratings (or equivalent) required in most cases.
• Flight instructor certificate preferred.
• Multiengine rating preferred.
• Turbine aircraft experience preferred.

*Instrument rating is not required for helicopter pilots.

Maintenance Technician

• Mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings (or equivalent).
• Two years of experience maintaining aircraft preferred.

Avionics Technician

• Mechanic certificate with airframe rating (or equivalent).
• Two years of education in electronics, or license in communications technology.
• Two years of experience working in avionics or radio preferred.

To serve in an support role, you must have experience or training in an appropriate field, such as accounting, bookkeeping, purchasing or working in a stockroom.

Please note: People who serve full-time with our aviation department are generally volunteers or career missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. To learn more about becoming a Wycliffe missionary, please click here.

To become a pilot, maintenance technician or avionics technician with JAARS, you must:

• Complete the Wycliffe Bible Translators pre-screening process.
• Complete a JAARS technical evaluation.
• Apply and be accepted as a career missionary with Wycliffe.
• Complete the Wycliffe Equip training and Intercultural Communications Course.
• Complete orientation in JAARS flight and maintenance procedures.
• Take a field training course to learn how to adapt to living in a new culture.
• Complete licensing and check-out in the country where you will be serving.

To learn more about serving with JAARS aviation, please submit our online contact form.

Yes. However, very few openings exist for pilots without maintenance licenses.

Yes. Our pilots must be no more than 60 years old to fly in a foreign country or 65 years old to fly in the United States.

Yes. To work effectively in a foreign country—and simply go about daily life—you must be competent in the language spoken locally. You may also be required to learn a foreign language to take the written and flight exams for pilot licensing.

Typically, our pilots serve in a foreign country for four years at a time. During the fifth year they return to their home country, visit family and friends, and participate in training programs.

However, this typical schedule is not applied to every situation. Depending on the needs of a particular family or aviation program, a pilot may serve for shorter or longer periods of time.

Regrettably, no. Special training is required for the types of flights our pilots handle.

Yes. We have a machine shop in Waxhaw, N.C., that is staffed by volunteers and career missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. To learn more about joining this team, please submit our online contact form.

Currently, our most pressing need is for experienced aviation mechanics.

We offer internships to mechanics who already hold an FAA airframe and powerplant certificate (or the foreign equivalent).

Individuals, especially those just out of college, can gain practical mission aviation experience through a paid internship with us. Our interns learn vital skills through assisting experienced mechanics in inspecting, servicing and repairing aircraft and engines. At the same time, our interns have the opportunity to develop a vision for Bible translation.

Yes. Qualified men and women of all ages can volunteer for short-term projects with our aviation department. We offer opportunities to serve in non-flying roles throughout the world, including at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, N.C.

Short-term volunteer opportunities may include:

• Spending one or more weeks volunteering at the JAARS Center.
• Traveling overseas with a team of students.
• Volunteering for several weeks or months for a specific overseas project.
• Interning at the JAARS Center hangar.

To learn more about short-term volunteer opportunities with our aviation department, please submit our online contact form.

Yes. We currently have a team of aviation mechanics volunteering part-time at our hangar in Waxhaw, N.C. If you already hold FAA airframe and powerplant certificates, you are welcome to become part of this team.

We are also in need of volunteers who can assist us in various administrative roles. To learn more about these opportunities, or other part-time volunteer positions, please submit our online contact form.