MATA was conceived to fill the need for short-term aviation training opportunities for those preparing for mission service, and for those already involved in ministry.
While several schools offer two- to five-year mission aviation training programs, MATA seeks to provide training structured to the specific training objectives and scheduling availability of individuals. This includes those who must work part-time or full-time while pursuing flight training, those who attended or plan to attend a specific Bible school or seminary which does not offer aviation training, those who already hold certain ratings and only need others, and even those already involved in ministry who must fit flight training into specific “time windows” such as during furlough from a foreign mission field.
In the fall of 1998, MATA incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the state of
Currently, MATA operates four aircraft in training roles: a Cessna 150E for primary instruction, a Cessna 172H for primary and instrument training, a Cessna 150A Texas Taildragger for tailwheel instruction, and a Cessna 182M for High-performance Aircraft endorsement and advanced field training in Alaska. MATA does not currently own a complex aircraft, but has access to a Cessna 177RG for complex instruction. Operations continue at Arlington Municipal airport, where MATA has hangar, classroom, and office facilities.
