Close up of MAF tattoo worn by MAF pilot Michael Lindsey (credit: Sean Atkins)

It’s been three months since MAF pilot and instructor Michael Lindsey relocated from Mareeba to Arnhem Land in Australia’s far north. He has come full circle, following in his father Wayne’s footsteps, who received a devastating diagnosis. MAF’s Janne Rytkonen reports…

Michael Lindsey’s bittersweet MAF journey started by growing up in Numbulwar, Arnhem Land, in the isolated north of Australia’s Northern Territory.

His father Wayne was a MAF pilot who flew in Arnhem Land and Indonesia.

Former MAF pilot Wayne flew in Arnhem Land & Indonesia (credit: Michael Lindsey)

As a home-schooled child, if Michael finished his studies before lunch, Wayne would reward his son with an afternoon flight. Aviation and serving others became part of Michael’s DNA:

‘In Arnhem Land, being a kid and being home-schooled meant that I was able to go flying with Dad more often, and that just gave me a real love of flying.

‘I got a different view of the world from just how happy people were when you helped them out, and how much of a difference aviation made.’

Michael Lindsey, MAF Arnhem Land pilot & instructor

Michael would accompany his father in the air from a young age (credit: Michael Lindsey)

Tragedy strikes

But in 2012, when Michael was still in high school in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, tragedy struck:

‘My father got frontal-lobe dementia. My parents always wanted to go back to MAF once we left high school, but that obviously didn’t eventuate.’

When he turned 18, Michael got a tattoo of MAF in recognition of his dad’s service.

Michael shows his tattoo honouring former MAF pilot Wayne Lindsey (credit: Sean Atkins)

Michael was determined to continue his father’s work, and yet, carve out his own mission aviation career:

‘I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I’m here, carrying this story forward.’

Today, Wayne is looked after by his wife Rosemary and professional carers in Alice Springs.

Wayne & Rosemary with their 3 children, Michael, Jamie & Aleisha (credit: MAF Mareeba)

During Wayne’s devastating diagnosis, Michael had been dating Naomi – a fellow high school student. When they became serious, Michael made his intentions clear:

‘When we got together, I was pretty set on a career in mission aviation in some way, shape or form. I said, “Look, this is pretty early days, but this is what I’m going to be doing.”

‘I had such a conviction in my heart, to the point where I was willing to risk upsetting that relationship.’

Fortunately, Naomi was on the same page:

‘Cross cultural mission work is something I grew up hearing a lot about as my mum’s family lived and worked as missionaries in Ethiopia for many years.

‘Hearing Michael’s heart for mission aviation excited me, as I felt God calling me to use my teaching skills in the places Michael would fly.’

Marriage to Naomi followed.

Michael, Naomi and baby Florence (credit: Janne Rytkonen)

Training starts

With Rosemary’s blessing, Michael began working towards his private pilot licence in the same manner as her husband:

‘Hearing stories from Mum about how Dad related to people and always had time for people, on top of trying to be Christ-like – it’s nice to strive to be that for people as well.’

Michael joined MAF in early 2022. It was at MAF’s Australian flight school in Mareeba, northern Queensland, where Michael achieved his commercial pilot licence. The experience was special, recalls Michael:

‘It was cool to be around guys who flew with Dad – it spurred me on.

‘Also, when I studied for my private licence at the other school, I didn’t have anyone else to be around. I was the only student at my level – it was a bit lonely.

‘At MAF, I definitely learned better in a group where you could discuss things, and the instructors made time for you. When they taught theory, they often backed it up with a story from their own experience.’

Michael completes his multi-engine instrument rating in 2022 (credit: Sean Atkins)

Michael highly recommends the course to any aspiring pilot:

‘There are a few challenging airstrips that you don’t go to until you’re further on. Some places are known for being windy – MAF is very good at introducing you to these things, so that you’re not overwhelmed.

‘The instructors are good at gauging when students are ready.’

Michael goes back to his roots

Michael qualifies as a MAF flight instructor in 2023 (credit: Erwin Jungen)

After qualifying as a pilot, Michael becomes a flight instructor himself. For three years, he imparts his precious knowledge and skills to other would-be mission pilots:

‘I’ve seen two or three cohorts come through from the start to the end. It’s been good to be a little part of their story – seeing them leave here with a whole lot more than they came with.’

One of Michael’s students was James Gullett – the first graduate from MAF’s Future Pilot Programme, and MAF’s youngest pilot from the UK.

As lead instructor on flight training trips, Michael periodically returned to his roots – taking his students to Arnhem Land where he first experienced flying with his father:

‘It’s always a good feeling. We landed at Numbulwar, which is where I had lived for quite a few years. That was cool – just doing the same sort of approaches that Dad used to do – day in, day out.’

Michael teaches students at MAF’s flight school in Mareeba (credit: Janne Rytkonen)

On 25 August 2025, Michael and Naomi became proud parents to Florence Rose, but even more change awaits!

In April 2026, Michael and his family move back to Arnhem Land full-time where he takes up the post of pilot with the added responsibility of safety manager.

The family have been living in Yirrkala for the last three months – a ten-minute drive from MAF Arnhem Land’s base in Gove.

Although they miss their friends in Mareeba, they’re very much looking forward to their next exciting chapter – serving the Yolngu people – says Michael:

‘We’d love to stay in Australia, specifically Arnhem Land, and build relationships there as best we can. MAF is a great way to do that and serve the people at the same time.’

MAF Arnhem Land’s shuttle service at Gove Airport (credit: Janne Rytkonen)

Michael now enables others

Thanks to Michael’s aviation skills, organisations like ‘Christian Women Communicating International’ (CWCI) are spending more precious time ministering to other women across a vast region instead of wasting many hours on the road driving over 1,200 miles! Michael is delighted with the results:

‘It’s really good to see first-hand the impact that MAF can have. There’s a lot of positive feedback – people just love the fact that Christian women are coming out to these remote places and encouraging other women, which doesn’t happen very often.’

Isabel O’Neill from CWCI says without MAF, her work simply wouldn’t be possible:

‘The mileage to go by road is too great for two women to go out alone into these remote areas. It’s simply not feasible.’

To hear more about MAF Arnhem Land, listen to episode 5 of MAF’s podcast: ‘MAF Arnhem Land turns 50’