About Missionary Bush Pilot
Hi, I’m Ryan Farran, missionary bush pilot, flight instructor, author, filmmaker, and creator of Missionary Bush Pilot.
For years, my family and I have lived and served in Papua New Guinea, where aviation is much more than transportation. In many of the places we fly, there are no roads and no easy way in or out. Airplanes connect remote communities with medical care, supplies, teachers, missionaries, and the outside world.
As a bush pilot, I fly into short, remote airstrips throughout Papua New Guinea, often surrounded by rugged mountains and jungle. Some flights are routine. Others involve medical evacuations, humanitarian needs, challenging weather, difficult decision-making, and landing in places most pilots will never experience.
I created Missionary Bush Pilot to give people a firsthand look at what this kind of aviation is really like and to share the lessons, stories, and experiences that come from years of flying in a demanding environment.
Author
Writing has become another way for me to share what I have learned through aviation.
I am the author of The Pilot’s Handbook of Staying Alive, an aviation safety book focused on the mindset, judgment, discipline, situational awareness, workload management, and decision-making skills that help pilots become safer and more capable.
I also wrote What It Really Takes to Be a Bush Pilot, which takes an honest look at bush flying beyond the adventure and scenery. It explores the responsibility, pressure, decision-making, habits, skills, and mindset required to become a dependable bush pilot operating in challenging environments.
Both books grew out of lessons learned through real-world aviation — including the things that went right, the things that could have gone wrong, and the decisions that matter when you're flying in places where there may be very little room for error.
I have also expanded into children's aviation books through Ryan’s Flying Adventures, a series created to introduce younger readers to flying, adventure, and the idea of using aviation to help others.
Whether I am writing for experienced pilots, aspiring bush pilots, or kids dreaming about sitting in the cockpit someday, my goal is the same: to share a love of aviation while passing along something useful from the experiences I've been fortunate enough to have.
Pilot & Flight Instructor
Aviation has been a major part of my life for many years. In addition to flying professionally as a missionary bush pilot, I am a Certified Flight Instructor and enjoy helping other pilots improve their skills, judgment, and confidence.
One of my favorite parts of aviation is teaching what experience has taught me, particularly the lessons that aren't always found in a textbook.
Missionary Bush Pilot
Through YouTube and social media, I share real flights, remote landings, aviation education, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories about the people and communities aviation serves.
Missionary Bush Pilot has grown into a worldwide community of people who love aviation, adventure, missions, and seeing parts of the world that most people will never have the opportunity to visit.
Whether you're a professional pilot, student pilot, aviation enthusiast, missionary supporter, parent, or simply someone who enjoys a good adventure, I'm glad you're here.
The heart behind everything I create is simple:
See more. Go farther. Help others. Come home.
Thanks for being part of the adventure.
Ryan Farran
Missionary Bush Pilot
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
1 (830)-557-8900