News

Thursday, June 26th 2008: Life Aviation certified as ANBI organization

Today we received the news that as of Januari 1st 2008 our foundation has been certified as a Dutch "Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling" (ANBI). This means that for Dutch tax payers their donation is tax deductable (under the conditions of the Dutch tax authorities, foreign tax payers should consult their own tax authorities). It also means that Life Aviation is free of paying tax over the received finances: 100% of your donation is available to the foundation. it also means recognition of reliability.

Already since the foundation of Life Aviation in 2006 we comply to the requirements that are posed to an ANBI organization, like a board of three non related people, annual financial reports, finances should be used for the goals which are described in the wavers of the foundation, etc. Unfortunately it has taken quite a long time to receive this certification due to delays in the Dutch tax authorities, but finally today it's there.

We are gratefull for the people who have already donated money while this certification process was going on and we hope that more people will decide to help Life Aviation financially now this certification is official.

Saturday, October 27th 2007: Authorities in Tuva welcome Life Aviation

The door is opening! Life Aviation has had some very positive meetings in Krasnoyarsk (central Siberia) with the executive head of civil aviation, Mr. Lukyanenka, and with directors of different airports, like the one of the former military airfield in Shushenskoye and the airport in Kyzyl (the capital fo Tuva). They all want to give their full support to Life Aviation to start mission aviation in that area. The director of the airport in Kyzyl is also a member of the Tuvan government through his place in the duma. He showed great enthousiasm for our plans, allthough we got to talk to him without an appointment (we just dropped by). He told us that he, like us, believes in God and had been praying for several years for a solution to offer more help to the people in remote areas of Tuva. He has many connections in the Russian government and governmental bodies and shared several ways how he could help us to get permission from Moscow for a flight program.

In the autonomous republic of Tuva there is a great need for air transport to support medical, social, material and spiritual projects. The population consists for the biggest part of Tuvans, who are similar to the Mongolian race. Their language is Tuvan, which is very much related to Turkish. Tuva is the poorest of the Soviet republics. Due to a nationalistic change in the nineties most of the Russian population left, and with that most of the medical and social infrastructure. The majority of the Tuvans are budhists or practice shamanism (the believe in the spirits of nature). A visit to a shamanistic witch doctor is more common than a visit to a regular medical practitioner. There are even shamanistic clinics in Tuva. According to information of the WHO (World Health Organization) Tuva is the country with the highest rate of tuberculosis. There are also many people who suffer from syphilis. Due to poverty alcohol and drug abuse is a major problem. Of the annual death rate 40% is because of suicide, drugs or alcohol. In Tuva live 300,000 people, of which one third in the capital Kyzyl. The other 200,000 people live in remote villages in the mountenous country. Not far from Kyzyl roads are in bad shape. There is hardly any medical care for people who live in remote mountain villages.

Saturday, May 26th, 2007: Fall 2007 meetings with Russian authorities

This can be a major breakthrough in the process of building relationships with the local government in Siberia: aviation authorities from the Krasnoyarsk area have invited Life Aviation to expose the plans we have for Christian and humanitarian aviation. As of September 18th we will meet different governmental bodies. Besides aviation authorities we will also meet the local government. Please pray that we will find an opening to touch the hearts of the Krasnoyarsk decisionmakers so they will allow and support us to start mission aviation.

During that week we are also going to meet some local humanitarian and Christian organizations. And we will talk to a representative of the Red Cross in that area. It's clear that progress being made in our efforts to get mission aviation going. We believe that God is the director of this process. To the question: "God, how far will You go with us in this process?", He answers back with a question: "How far will you go with Me?".

Tuesday, October 24th, 2006: Christian aviators join to start humanitarian aviation in Siberia

During a marathon meeting from October 19th until October 22nd a group of about ten Christian aviators (pilots, mechanics and in other ways involved) discussed the possibilities of establishing a flight program in Siberia. People from different nationalities, different organisations and different denominations, shared their visions and knowledge to contribute to their one common goal: having humanitarian and mission flying established in Russia.

There were people from Russia, the U.S., Sweden and The Netherlands, representing organisations like Light for the people, Send International, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Bell Aviation, Life Aviation and some independant. During this three days meeting the discussions were dedicated to God through worship and prayer. Meetings began at 8:00 AM and did not finish before 9:00 PM. This was the first time, as far as we know, that such concrete efforts were made to boost Christian aviation support in Siberia and Russia. All attendants agreed afterwards that important steps forward had been achieved.

Wednesday, July 5th, 2006: English as standard ICAO language for air traffic controllers and pilots

In many aviation accidents language issues have played a role, and every year numerous incidents involving language are being reported. Fatalities like the Tenerife accident between a PAN-AM and KLM Boeing 747 will remain in our memory.

Concerns turned into action by ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, in 2003: ICAO amended Annexes 1, 6, 10 and 11 which contained new language proficiency requirements. From 5th March 2008, a new ICAO proficiency standard for the use of English in aviation will become applicable to enhance safety. The emphasis is on the ability of pilots and air traffic controllers, both native and non-native English speakers, to comprehend and communicate effectively to a common standard.

The emphasis is firmly on speaking and listening abilities, and correct use of ICAO standard phraseology. ICAO standardised phraseology shall be used in all situations for which it has been specified. Only when standardised phraseology cannot serve an intended transmission, plain language shall be used. Moreover, the emphasis is on clarity, timely response and accuracy of ATC communication.

Six levels of linguistic proficiency have been defined, with a minimum requirement to meet the ICAO Level 4 (operational). All pilots and controllers will be required to demonstrate proper adherence to ICAO international communication procedures. But the real emphasis is on comprehension and the ability to deal with non-standard situations. Provision is made for periodic retesting for those who cannot demonstrate Level 6 proficiency.