Training to become a Missionary Pilot Overseas

My name is Tucker Zimmerman. I'm 19 years old and a follower of Jesus Christ. On this journey of following Him, I have felt a strong calling to serve His Kingdom in the field of mission aviation as a Missionary Pilot and Aircraft Mechanic. This entails both flying and fixing small bush planes purposed to land into villages nestled in some of the most isolated regions of the world to provide necessities like humanitarian aid, medical evacuations, and most importantly, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There are a handful of mission aviation organizations that are doing this right now in our world and they are in desperate need for more pilots and mechanics. I seek to become both of these things but I must acquire a good deal of training and certifications first. I have to receive sufficient flight training comparable to that of a commercial airline pilot, a college degree, a complete aircraft mechanic certification, and many Bible college credits before I can even be considered for hire.

To meet these requirements, I began my training at LeTourneau University in Longview, TX pursuing a degree in mission aviation. I pursued this degree for a year, but the Lord has guided me to a different school to continue my training.

In the last few months, I've transferred to Moody Bible Institute's flight school in Spokane, Washington. This school's primary focus is to build and equip pilots and mechanics for the mission field. For this reason, they try and keep costs as low as possible, but the training fees force it to still be very expensive.

Thus, I am relying on the Lord's providence and if this is something he truly desires me to do for His Kingdom, I know he will make a way.