Editing JAARS

{{Short description|Christian organization}}
{{Promotional|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = JAARS, Inc.
| image = 
| image_size = 200px
| type = Non-profit
| headquarters = [[Waxhaw, North Carolina]]
| founded_date = 1948 as Jungle Aviation and Radio Service
| founder = [[William Cameron Townsend]]
| location = 7405 Jaars Road, [[Waxhaw, North Carolina|Waxhaw]], North Carolina, USA
| coordinates = {{Coord|34.864771|-80.741808|format=dms}}
| leader_title = President and CEO
| leader_name = [[Steve Russell (politician)|Steve Russell]]
| area_served = World Wide
| revenue = > US$7,000,000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ministrywatch.com/profile/jaars.aspx |title=JAARS, Inc |access-date=2012-05-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120505002826/http://ministrywatch.com/profile/jaars.aspx |archive-date=2012-05-05 }} at www.ministrywatch.com</ref>
| website = jaars.org
}}
[[File:JAARS Center Feb2022.png|thumb|250x250px|JAARS Center and Townsend Field (N52), Waxhaw, North Carolina]]Founded in 1948 as Jungle Aviation and Radio Service by [[William Cameron Townsend]], '''JAARS''' is a worldwide, [[non-profit]], mission [[aviation]] and support organization with a primary focus on Bible translation support operations. JAARS provides practical support in [[aviation]], land and [[Maritime transport|maritime transportation]], [[information technology]] and media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.jaars.org/ |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=JAARS |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314123616/https://www.jaars.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its current president is [[Steve Russell (politician)|Steve Russell]], as of October 1, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leadership |url=https://www.jaars.org/about/leadership/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=JAARS |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023224113/https://www.jaars.org/about/leadership/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2023 |title=Fueled by aviation, Steve Russell is on a mission to spread the Gospel |url=https://www.southwestledger.news/news/fueled-aviation-steve-russell-mission-spread-gospel |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=Southwest Ledger News}}</ref>

JAARS marks its 75th anniversary in 2023, with a slight adjustment to its name to incorporate its 75-year heritage—'''Jungle Aviation and Relay Service'''.

JAARS is a wholly controlled subsidiary of [[SIL International]], but also partners with many other organizations.

== History ==
[[William Cameron Townsend]] co-founded [[Wycliffe Bible Translators]] and [[SIL International]] in 1934, and as the organization grew, he saw the need for airplanes and radio to reach remote areas around the world and to provide safe access to language groups.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1982-04-29 |title=W.C. TOWNSEND, BIBLE TRANSLATOR |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/29/obituaries/wc-townsend-bible-translator.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2023-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030212535/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/29/obituaries/wc-townsend-bible-translator.html |url-status=live }}</ref> JAARS was originally formed as Jungle Aviation and Radio Service in [[Peru]] in 1948 and moved to its current location in [[Waxhaw, North Carolina]], in 1961. The 572 acres of land where JAARS is located began as a 200-acre donation by the [[Belk]] family. In 1986, as a result of diversifying activities (like information technology and purchasing and shipping), JAARS officially dropped the original meaning behind the acronym and became simply "JAARS Inc." 

==Operations and activities==

===JAARS Base===
JAARS' North Carolina headquarters is commonly called the "JAARS Base". The base is operated by over 500 people on 551 acres, encompassing 68 buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CORE Mission Operations |url=https://www.jaars.org/how/core/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=JAARS |language=en-US}}</ref> While the JAARS Base serves as the home for all the organization's core operations (like transportation), it also hosts staff from partner organizations. For example, SIL International has IT and media staff working at the JAARS Base, and Wycliffe Bible Translators USA has a large contingent of human resources personnel with offices at the center. The center's airport is registered with the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] as JAARS-Townsend Airport {{airport codes|||N52}}, a public-use airport. The public-use [[runway]] is 3,309' x 40' listed as good [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]]. Additionally, three grass runways are used by JAARS for standards training.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AirNav: N52 - JAARS-Townsend Airport |url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/N52 |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=www.airnav.com |archive-date=2023-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405003115/https://www.airnav.com/airport/N52 |url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:JAARS Helio Couriers Feb2022.png|thumb|250x250px|[[Helio Courier]]s at Townsend Field at the JAARS Center]]
===Aviation===
[[File:JAARS PilatusPC6 Feb2022.png|thumb|250x250px|[[Pilatus PC-6 Porter]] at Townsend Field, JAARS Center, Waxhaw, North Carolina]]
[[File:JAARS R66 Feb2022.png|thumb|250x250px|[[Robinson R66|Robinson 66]] Turbine Helicopter training at the JAARS center]]
In aviation, JAARS helps its field partners start and run local aviation programs. This help comes from training staff, setting standards, equipping aircraft, research, and more.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jaars.org/what/aviation |title=Aviation {{!}} JAARS |access-date=2012-11-14 |archive-date=2013-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025143222/https://www.jaars.org/what/aviation |url-status=dead }}</ref>

These associates in turn offer several transportation services to a range of individuals, including [[translators]], support staff, consultants, trainers, [[Linguistics|linguists]], Christian mission organizations, hospitals, locals, and governments. These services can also include medical evacuations and disaster relief work.

JAARS' aviation partners fly a variety of aircraft, including:
* [[Bell 206#LongRanger|Bell Long Ranger]] [[helicopter]], flown by [[SIL International]] in [[Papua New Guinea]]
* [[Robinson R66]] [[helicopter]], flown at the JAARS Center and by SIL International in [[Cameroon]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=JAARS and Revolution bringing good news to Africa |url=https://verticalmag.com/press-releases/jaars-revolution-bringing-good-news-africa/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Vertical Mag |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Cessna 206]], flown at the JAARS Center and by partners in [[Brazil]], Cameroon, and Papua New Guinea
* [[Cessna 207]], Soloy Turbine conversion, flown by SIL International in Cameroon
* [[Cessna 208 Caravan]], flown by YAJASI in [[Indonesia]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lindner |first=Bill |date=2024-12-10 |title=Light-sport Aircraft Help Missionaries Reach The Unreachable |url=https://avgeekery.com/light-sport-aircraft-help-missionaries-reach-the-unreachable/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Avgeekery.com |language=en-US}}</ref>[[File:Cessna Caravan 208 JAARS.jpg|thumb|[[Cessna 208 Caravan|Cessna Caravan 208]] at Townsend Field, JAARS Center, Waxhaw, North Carolina]]
* [[Helio Courier]], flown at the JAARS Center
* [[Pilatus PC-12]], flown by YAJASI in [[Indonesia]]
* [[Pilatus PC-6]], flown at the JAARS Center and by YAJASI in Indonesia<ref name=":0" />
* [[Quest Kodiak]], flown by SIL International in [[Papua New Guinea]]<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=JAARS Receives Their First KODIAK Aircraft |url=https://kodiakcare.aero/news/newsroom/jaars-receives-their-first-kodiak-aircraft/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=KODIAKCare |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715153108/https://kodiakcare.aero/news/newsroom/jaars-receives-their-first-kodiak-aircraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

JAARS was one of fifteen organizations that financed the prototyping and development of the [[Quest Kodiak]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ioannou|first=Lori|title=A Turboprop Built for Trouble|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1938737-1,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813063141/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1938737-1,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2012|magazine=Time Magazine|accessdate=14 November 2012|date=23 November 2009}}</ref> JAARS also developed S-Seats, a seat for [[St-Just Super-Cyclone|Bushliner 1850]] that enhanced the crashworthiness and adaptability of the aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=Bushliner strikes deal for seats developed by mission aviation organization — General Aviation News |url=https://generalaviationnews.com/2024/01/23/bushliner-strikes-deal-for-seats-developed-by-mission-aviation-organization/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=generalaviationnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pilot |first=Plane & |date=2024-01-17 |title=Bushliner, JAARS Want You to Pick Your Safety Seat |url=https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/bushliner-jaars-want-you-to-pick-your-safety-seat/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Plane & Pilot Magazine |language=en |archive-date=2024-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908040522/https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/bushliner-jaars-want-you-to-pick-your-safety-seat/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilder |first=Amy |date=2024-01-17 |title=Bushliner Teams Up with JAARS to Create Safer Seats |url=https://www.flyingmag.com/bushliner-teams-up-with-jaars-to-create-safer-seats/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=FLYING Magazine |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613224423/https://www.flyingmag.com/bushliner-teams-up-with-jaars-to-create-safer-seats/ |url-status=live }}</ref> JAARS also transported tons of supplies in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Helene]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michel |first=Deeandra |date=2024-10-02 |title=Local Organization That Flies In And Out Of Remote Jungles Puts Skills To Use In The NC Mountains |url=https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2024/10/01/local-organization-that-flies-in-and-out-of-remote-jungles-puts-skills-to-use-in-the-nc-mountains/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=WCCB Charlotte's CW |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003055948/https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2024/10/01/local-organization-that-flies-in-and-out-of-remote-jungles-puts-skills-to-use-in-the-nc-mountains/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

==Museum==
[[File:JAARS Cessna 206.jpg|thumb|A Cessna 206, one of two in the JAARS training fleet.]]
The Alphabet Museum is located at the JAARS Base in [[Waxhaw, North Carolina]]. The museum was established in 1991 by JAARS founder [[William Cameron Townsend]] and focuses on the development of the world's [[alphabet|alphabets]] and the history of writing systems and written languages.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Museum of the Alphabet|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-museum-of-the-alphabet|magazine=Atlas Obscura|accessdate=23 September 2017|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924044858/http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-museum-of-the-alphabet|url-status=live}}</ref> Exhibits include maps, paintings, sculptures, a replica of the [[Rosetta Stone]], a [[Torah]] scroll that is over 150 years old and a handmade lyre.<ref name="JAARS">{{cite web|title=Museums|url=https://www.jaars.org/visit/museums|publisher=JAARS|accessdate=23 September 2017}}</ref> The languages covered include [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], [[Cyrillic language|Cyrillic]] and [[African languages]].

The newly reopened Cardenas Building (named for former Mexican president [[Lázaro Cárdenas]]) features all new exhibits that tell the story of JAARS.

==References==
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Christian missions]]
[[Category:Evangelical parachurch organizations]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Union County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1948]]