FMZ Fleet

At present FMZ has a fleet of 3 Cessna planes available to serve Zambia, all equipped with Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) kits and ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitters). All carry up to 5 passengers. Two are the Cessna 206 model, flying at around 120 knots. The other is a 210 model, flying faster at around 150 knots.

The 206 planes both have cargo-carrying pods. On an average trip, a plane might carry a payload (passengers and bags) of around 400 kilos, or 950 pounds.

All planes are capable of doing emergency medical evacuations by removing some of the seats.

 

In 2010, FMZ expects to take possession of a newly-designed plane, the Quest Kodiak, with STOL capacity, having 9 passenger-carrying seats and running on JetA1 fuel (refined kerosene). It will significantly increase the service FMZ can offer to rural Zambia and even beyond.

 

Compared to the Cessna 206, it has:

  • More access to remote grass and dirt airfields
  • Room for more passengers and cargo
  • More reliability from its turbine engine
  • Easier maintenance of engine
  • More rugged landing gear
  • 'Healthy' ground clearance
  • 25% faster cruising speed

'Fewer, faster flights save missionaries time and money – time and money they can use to help tribal people know Jesus,' say New Tribes Mission, who are also looking forward to using Kodiak planes.

» Read more about development of this new aircraft