Landing on Steep Mountain Slopes
Missionary pilot Johnny Reeves touched down in Papua New Guinea using a Kodiak aircraft to deliver critical cargo to rugged mountain airstrips. Operating through JAARS, flights into the region require navigating challenging terrain where conventional paved runways are replaced by surfaces composed of gravel, grass, mud, and clay.
Airstrips across Papua New Guinea present severe logistical hurdles for aviators due to their remote placement on steep mountainsides. Traditional asphalt or concrete infrastructure is absent in these areas, forcing pilots to rely on unpaved surfaces that demand specialized aircraft handling.
