The year 1976 marked the beginning of aviation services conducted by Uncen – SIL (Summer Institute of Linguistics) Aviation to assist earthquake victims in Okbab village, Oksibil Regency. For the very first time, an SIL aircraft entered Indonesia from Papua New Guinea (PNG), initially carrying the registration N6460V, which was later re-registered under the Indonesian registration PK-UCA. After the SIL aviation program ended in 1992, several individuals devoted to the ministry—Agus Maniagasi, Oyang Amos Seseray, Hendrik Andreas Sarioa, Darsono Wijatmiko, and Yan Mapaliey—established the JAARS Indonesia Foundation on April 3, 1993. The foundation was driven by a vision to provide vital flight services to isolated communities and partner with the government to foster holistic human development across the Maluku and Papua regions.
A few months later, precisely on August 10, 1993, the founders amended the name from JAARS Indonesia Foundation to Yayasan Jasa Aviasi Indonesia (YAJASI) under Amendment Deed No. 28.
Flight operations in the Maluku region only continued until 1997. Due to civil unrest in Maluku, the aviation service there was closed and subsequently relocated to Sentani, Papua.
To this day, operating under the Non-Commercial Air Activity Permit (SIKAU/BN-017) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Jakarta—which was extended for the third time on August 16, 2012, and remains valid indefinitely—YAJASI has operated a total of 12 (twelve) aircraft. The fleet includes: 2 (two) Piper Aztec aircraft registered as PK-UCC and PK-UPD (currently on the ground), 4 (four) Helio Courier aircraft (registered as PK-UCA, PK-UCB, PK-UCD, and PK-JAA --- currently on the ground), 5 (five) Pilatus Porter aircraft registered as PK-UCE (Accident on Sept 22, 2011), PK-UCF, PK-UCI, PK-UCJ, and PK-UCL, as well as one Pilatus PC-12 aircraft registered as PK-UCG. YAJASI serves more than 100 (one hundred) airstrips annually.
YAJASI is highly supported by 23 (twenty-three) professional foreign volunteers directly sponsored by the foundation, possessing specialized expertise in the aviation sector (1 Pilot Instructor, 12 Pilots, 8 Mechanics, and 2 Radio and Communications personnel). The operation is further supported by 40 (forty) Indonesian personnel. Through a dedicated mentorship program, YAJASI proudly trains local talents, now employing 2 (two) Indonesian Pilots and 1 (one) Indonesian Mechanic holding an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License (AMEL). YAJASI remains deeply committed to providing safe, timely, and affordable flight services for the community while continuously serving as a faithful partner to the government.
Our Journey & Legal Status
Rooted in humanitarian relief after the 1976 Okbab earthquake, YAJASI was officially established on August 10, 1993. Today, our operations run fully under the official Non-Commercial Air Activity Permit (SIKAU/BN-017) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Our Operational Impact
Committed to serving the Maluku and Papua regions, YAJASI operates a dedicated fleet to reach more than 100 isolated mountain airstrips annually, successfully breaking long-standing geographical barriers for the communities.
Professional Team & Empowerment
Supported by professional foreign volunteers and local staff, YAJASI is deeply committed to national mentorship programs, proudly training and employing local Indonesian pilots and AMEL-licensed aircraft mechanics.
OUR MILESTONES
The Journey of Faith and Service Across Papua
JAARS Indonesia Foundation was founded (Apr 3), later renamed to YAJASI on Aug 10.
Aviation operations in Maluku closed due to civil unrest, subsequently relocated entirely to Sentani, Papua.
Received the SIKAU/BN-017 permit extension from the DGCA, remaining valid indefinitely.
The fleet expanded to 12 aircraft, successfully serving more than 100 mountain airstrips annually.
Committed to national mentorship, successfully employing 2 Indonesian Pilots and 1 AMEL-licensed Mechanic.
The Pilatus PC-12
A high-performance turboprop operating as a vital lifeline across Papua. It delivers exceptional speed and capacity for critical medical evacuations, cargo transport, and community development support.
The Cessna Grand Caravan
A highly reliable turboprop engineered for rugged utility and efficiency. It serves as a dependable backbone for transporting heavy cargo, essential community supplies, and passenger teams into remote Papuan airstrips.
The Pilatus Porter PC-6
The ultimate STOL aircraft designed for Papua's most challenging environments. Its legendary short takeoff and landing capabilities allow it to safely access steep, unpaved village airstrips for critical medical evacuations and essential supply deliveries.