Aero Linx: The International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) Following World War II, several American aviators returned to the United States with a desire in their hearts to use aviation in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the globe. That desire gave birth to the first mission aviation effort in the United States, known then as Christian Airmen’s Missionary Fellowship (CAMF). Today, it is known as Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). The first flights were in a Waco biplane, and served Bible translators with the Summer Institute of Linguistics in southern Mexico. The pilot of those first flights was a remarkable woman named Betty Greene. Since those early days in the late 1940s, mission aviation has grown significantly. MAF was joined in this specialized area of aviation by dozens of other mission agencies that use aviation to advance the Gospel, provide medical care, and meet humanitarian needs. Several hundred airplanes and helicopters are operated in some of the most challenging conditions faced by aviators anywhere. The International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) was formed to bring these agencies together in the spirit of professional collaboration. IAMA fosters a community of Christian airmen whose hallmarks are safety and technical competence. Today, IAMA’s membership includes more than seventy mission agencies, training schools, and individuals. Members work together to bring the transforming message of Jesus Christ to people living in places that are remote and very difficult-to-access.
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