How are we doing? We’ve operating since awarding the first scholarship in 2018. We have 14 recipients so far. So how are we doing? Are we learning as we go? How are our winners going? Read on to find out.

If you are thinking of applying for a scholarship, we’ll open the next round in February – put it in your diary.

And of course – a Meri Kirihimeti/Merry Christmas to everyone. We’ll join you again each Friday from 7^th February 2025.

It seems that our post last week struck a nerve with lots of people and after reading the comments on the post on social media, we felt that some people may not understand what student pilots today are having to deal with, financially.

We asked four of our winners who have either recently graduated, or are close to it, to tell us how they have handled the funding side of their qualifications – it’s tougher than even we thought! But excellent advice for young people considering pilot training.

This weeks article hits right at the centre of why John and I created our Scholarships. Today, you will read words from an impassioned author (me). A bit grumpy but hopefully with merit.

We’ll be curious to see what your thoughts are on this subject.

Have you ever wanted to take the controls of a Boeing 737? If you’re in Christchurch, Mike Pero’s Boeing 737 Simulator offers you the chance to pilot this iconic aircraft with guidance from a retired airline captain.

John is one of the instructors and I interviewed both him and Mike to find out more about the simulator and the client experience. For those of you who read the article, there’s a pleasant little surprise at the end – just in time for Christmas!

Now here’s a bit of controversy for the weekend. Definately food for thought. What’s more important for safe flight in a commercial airliner? Manual flying or flight management monitoring?

What are your thoughts after reading this well written article?

As we come to the end of our school days, we find we have several choices to make as we map out our lives. The biggest question is whether we are happy to settle for mucking around with the turkeys or whether we choose to soar with the eagles.

For Mason, it was a no brainer. The eagles had called to him long ago and he is now preparing to join them.

We’re pleased to introduce Levi Guyan to you. A true go getter and an avid social media content creator - he also happens to be a kiwi lad flying his first commercial role in Indonesia.

Here’s his story so far. From a trial flight at 11 years old to now - living an adventurous live and loving every minute of it!

Whether you like it or not, to avoid this scenario, we need regulators in aviation.

Today’s article is a quick read and well worth the minute or two you will take to read it. It may even become a career pathway to consider.

Crikey! Have you ever given any thought to how often the Tech Crew flying you to your destination have to requalify to keep their license? And what it is they have to do each time?

I can’t think of many career choices that require so much retesting - and so often!

Twilight is a charming all rounder who just happens to have a passion for flying and a career goal to become an airline pilot - and once we'd learnt about her and met her, we knew she was the perfect fit for our Pauwels Flying Scholarship Special Award.

Ka pai Twilight!

The more lucky of us have had an opportunity to fly into Queenstown. It's a stunning flight and the approach is incredible - for different reasons in good and bad weather!

We've covered how jets execute their successful approaches to ZQN. Now we hear from a veteran, ATR Captain David Bowie, how these little workhorses do it.

I always get a wee buzz when one of Sounds Air's pocket rockets fly overhead on approach to Christchurch Airport. There's a lot of mana being a single pilot operating a scheduled passenger service. This is a fabulous second job on your way to large airline flying. Why rush your way to large airline flying when there are so many good and exciting flights to do with a small airline first?

Gravel runways, EXTREMELY dodgy weather conditions and teeny tiny populations scattered far and wide: why and how do you fly jets around the arctic - especially when there isn't an airbridge available for hundreds of miles!

Captain Jeremy Burfoot (veteran aviation novelist) has provided a thought provoking article for us to share. If it wasn’t for his wicked laugh out loud humour and wit - it could have been one of those dry biscuit offerings we referred to last week. Instead, we have a hilarious read for you this week describing the skills and attitudes that an airline pilot requires for a successful career.

What do we remember most when progressing through an aviation career? The information in dry biscuit manuals or the brilliantly told elaborate stories of near misses, local knowledge or lessons learnt that we hear from our peers?

Exactly! We tend to learn more from being told stories than being dictated to by carefully written (as in liability proofed) manuals.

If you are a pilot (helicopter, propellor, jet), have more than 5000 hours and 30 years old, chances are you have begun to lose your hearing. It’s irreversible, will only get worse the more hours you fly, and the end result can depend on what noise exposure your ears were subjected to as a teenager (i.e loud music). Knowledge is Power according to Sir Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626) – So this should be an essential read.

Here’s Part Two of a series of entertaining stories from some of our crew contributors.

Just the thing to make a chilly day warmer and set your mood alight!

I reckon this article will be quite controversial. In places, your jaw will drop and in others you will cringe. Some readers will say “Yeah, that’s my story’. Some will say ‘I wish I had it that good’ and (I feel) a larger group will say ‘Nah, doesn’t happen’ To those in the last group, I ask - ‘Really? How do you know?’ There are parts to this story that make my blood boil!

Oh! and… you’re going to need a coffee and muffin for this read – it’s a long ‘un. Probably feet up on the desk too.

Most of us can remember our first flight and all pilots can remember the moment they knew they were going to be a pilot.

But I bet my bottom dollar that no one reading this article had either memory formed whilst shackled, wrist and ankle, between two burly guards at the tender age of 15.

We are proud to support Dilan and share his remarkable story. A story of resilience and determination and a strong desire to help others.

In Part Two, we hear from A380 Captain Morris Tull on why he went overseas for work and our intrepid (and anonymous) contributor continues to tell us abut the recruitment processes of overseas airlines. If you enjoyed last week’s selection, you’re sure to find these equally interesting!