School of Missionary Aviation Technology

Welcome to SMAT!

At the School of Missionary Aviation Technology [SMAT] we provide mission-driven students with FAA-certified training in aircraft maintenance and flight. SMAT offers a professional, certified curriculum in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Students benefit from small class sizes in which strong, lasting relationships are built with instructors and fellow students.

Our mission is to glorify God by providing professional aviation training to a high standard that equips individuals to serve God and others through aviation.

2026 Annual Banquet · October 17

Thank you for an incredible night in the hangar!

On Saturday, October 17, friends, families, churches, and supporters gathered in the SMAT Flight Training Hangar to celebrate God’s faithfulness and the incredible ways He continues to work through missionary aviation around the world.

Thank you to our guest speaker, Jim Streit of Samaritan’s Purse, for sharing his remarkable testimony, and to every table sponsor, volunteer, and student who helped make the evening possible. Most of all, thank you for praying, giving, and partnering with us as we train men and women to carry hope and the Gospel to the nations.

“Jim knew ‘it would be a good day, or a great day!’ On a good day, we go home to our families, knowing God brought us through the storm. On a great day, we arrive home with our Savior.”
Terry Yoder, President/CEO
“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
Psalm 96:3

Praise God for your generosity

Totals as of November 3, 2026

  • $60,000Challenge gift, received in full
  • $14,000From 28 table sponsors
  • $41,000Given by banquet guests
  • $115,000Raised in total. Praise God!

2026 annual giving goal$150,000

$115,000 raised$35,000 still needed

Challenge match$60,000

$55,000 matched$5,000 to go

Moments from the evening

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The banquet program in the SMAT hangar, with a speaker on stage and guests at round tables beneath flags from around the world A speaker with a microphone addresses guests in front of a projected Scripture slide A crowded hangar of guests seated at round dinner tables beneath flags from around the world Guests smiling and talking at a dinner table, including a young couple with their baby A SMAT welcome table with brochures and pens in front of a Cessna and rows of dinner tables A speaker on stage in front of a slide titled Aviation with a mission, showing a mission plane on a jungle airstrip A speaker in a navy blazer shares with guests from the stage Overhead view of the hangar with dinner tables set beside a SMAT Cessna and the welcome table

Help us meet the challenge.

Just $5,000 more completes the $60,000 match, and every gift trains missionary pilots and aviation mechanics to serve around the world.

Support SMAT

Aviation Training Programs

We provide Christ-centered, performance-based training in aviation flight, maintenance, and related technical disciplines. Students receive hands-on experience in both laboratory and field environments.

Flight Training

Maintenance Training

Post-Grad Opportunities 

Pete’s Story

This video gives you a quick look at the training Pete Young received at SMAT in preparation for a career change in which God led him and his family to serve with AIM Air in Africa.

“I’m very thankful to SMAT for all they’ve done to prepare me to serve in mission aviation.”

Pete Young

Support SMAT

Learn about how you can contribute to the sustainability and growth of our mission-driven aviation school: donate money to help pay for student scholarships, facilities, and instructional supplies; donate aircraft to help improve our training capacity; volunteer for aircraft clean-up or instructional support. (SMAT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.)

Learn More