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Excitement filled the air as hundreds of cheering people welcomed P2-WET, MAF’s amphibious Cessna 208B plane, on its maiden flight into Papua New Guinea (PNG). Touching down on Lake Murray and the Balimo lagoon, this historic moment marked a new chapter in connecting remote communities in the Western Province.
The journey to this moment was long and challenging, but it was worth the wait. “We’ve had a lot of setbacks and challenges,” said MAF civil engineer Terry Fahey, who played a key role in preparing for the plane’s arrival. “But seeing the plane come over the cellphone tower in Lake Murray, some tears came to my eyes. And again, as we were pulling into the MAF base at Mt Hagen and seeing all the cheering MAF staff waiting, again, the tears started to roll.”
For many residents, this was their first encounter with such an aircraft. “These people have never seen this kind of plane. They have only heard stories from their great grandparents when the previous MAF P2-WET used to fly on the upper part of the lake,” Terry added.
A Plane With a Rich Legacy
The newly-arrived P2-WET previously served in MAF’s Bangladesh program. Its registration number pays homage to the original P2-WET Cessna 185 floatplane, which operated exclusively on water in PNG during the late 1970s.
Bringing the aircraft to PNG required a colossal team effort, spanning multiple MAF departments and locations. “We had groups in Mareeba maintaining the aircraft and preparing it specifically for Papua New Guinea,” Terry explained. “We had support departments in Europe and Cairns working on changes to training guides and operations manuals. And there were people here in the program working to get them all approved through CASA PNG. I’m amazed to think about the number of people it took just to do the first landing here in PNG.”
The aircraft was set up for flying in Bangladesh, which is very flat (most of the country is less than 15m above sea level), so the engineers had to install equipment for PNG’s highlands and isolation – High Frequency Radio, Garmin multi-functional flight instrument and back up (GI275 and GSB15) and an integrated oxygen system, being the main items.
Transforming Healthcare Access in Remote Regions
The P2-WET project has been supported by the Sustainable Development Program (SDP), a key partner in improving healthcare access across Western Province. With its support, the aircraft will facilitate Aerial Health Patrols, bringing medical assistance to isolated communities. SDP staff worked alongside Terry to construct docks and essential infrastructure. “They are a key stakeholder, and they put a lot of effort into this whole process, which we’re very grateful for,” Terry noted.
Terry also engaged with local communities to envision how the amphibious plane would operate, identify safe landing sites, and build docking stations. The response was overwhelmingly positive. “Some of the older folks were saying, ‘We’re really excited—we have shared stories with our children about the plane that landed on the water, and they have no idea what we’re talking about. But today, they understand.’”
Currently, six locations—five on Lake Murray and one in the Balimo area—are operational. Over the coming months and years, the program plans to expand to approximately 24 more sites.
A History of Connecting PNG by Air and Water
This is not the first time water-capable planes have been used to reach remote communities in PNG. In the 1970s, MAF introduced floatplanes to serve communities along rivers, lakes and creeks. The later arrival of amphibious planes, which can also land on airstrips, has greatly increased flexibility and reach.
Former MAF pilot Alan Stray, who flew the original P2-WET from 1977 to 1979, reflected on the impact of the program. “It provided a lifeline to villagers who usually travelled via canoes or small boats around the expanse of winding rivers and creeks, in the huge delta of the Gulf Province. The amphibious plane could take the straight line between villages, dramatically reducing travel time,” he shared.
Alan recalled some of the program’s highlights, including medevacs and clinic patrols supporting the United Church Hospital at Kapuna (now Gulf Christian Services Hospital). On occasion, pilots would assist health workers in their duties, such as dressing wounds or weighing babies, adding a personal touch to the service. “The surprise and joy on the faces of the families added so much meaning and value to my work,” Alan said.
A Modern Aircraft for a New Era
The new P2-WET Cessna 208 Caravan is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Cessna 206. Equipped with a Pratt and Whitney PT6A turbine engine, state-of-the-art instrumentation, and GPS technology, it offers enhanced capacity, performance, and safety. “It is a huge advancement for the pilots and for the remote communities that MAF will serve,” Alan said.
Looking to the future, MAF pilot Chad Tilley has been training others to operate the amphibious plane. However, the project still requires a dedicated full-time pilot to ensure its long-term success. In the meantime, Chad and other pilots will continue working on short-term rotations to keep the program running.
Expanding Horizons in Humanitarian Aviation
P2-WET’s arrival marks a new chapter in humanitarian aviation in PNG, promising to improve access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities for some of the country’s most isolated communities. The combined efforts of local communities, MAF, and partners like SDP have made this possible, and the impact is already being felt across the Western Province.
As the program expands to new locations, P2-WET will continue to serve as a vital link for communities, bridging vast distances and challenging terrain. Its story is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and determination to make a difference where it is needed most.
Be part of this life-changing journey — donate today to support P2-WET as it brings vital care and connection to remote communities in Papua New Guinea. Donations $2 and over are tax deductible. https://maf.org.au/helpmany/
ABOUT MAF:
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is the world’s largest humanitarian airline, using aviation and technology to bring essential services like healthcare, education and disaster relief to remote and isolated communities in 24 countries worldwide. With a fleet of 117 light aircraft, MAF connects people in hard-to-reach places with opportunities and support, overcoming geographical barriers. For almost 80 years, MAF has been transforming lives through practical help and hope, partnering with local communities and organisations to make a lasting impact. www.maf.org.au
