The First of our Winners to Become a Flight Instructor!

Yes! You read right. We are thrilled to announce that Ben Williams, who won the special Award in 2021 has qualified to become a Flight Instructor and has secured the role at South Canterbury Aero Club, his home Aeroclub.

AND TODAY IS HIS FIRST DAY IN THE JOB!! (9/2/24)

This is a significant milestone for the Scholarship. Until this moment we have had the pleasure of awarding 11 Scholarships since 2018, with the recipients either still at school or working their way through Flight Training. Ben is the first to pop out the other side and move into a paid role in Aviation.

We cannot express just how proud we are of Ben and his achievements so far!

Ben has been kind enough to write about his experience to this point. It’s a fabulous piece full of advice and encouragement for those who are rising up behind him. Enjoy the read, he is eloquent and writes very well.

The floor is yours, Ben…

John and Ben at his IAANZ prizegiving

My aviation journey took off when I ignited a spark and joined the Young Eagles program with the South Canterbury Aero Club at the age of 14. This decision opened doors to various aviation activities, including an unforgettable aerobatic intro lesson, which marked one of the very first flights in my logbook. That flight was epic and left me eager to soar through the skies. You would often find a few Young Eagles at the Aero Club on weekends helping out where possible and having fun. I can't recommend the Young Eagles program enough! Being surrounded by like-minded people with a passion for aviation creates an awesome environment, making it a fantastic start for anyone's journey. 

Aero’s Video https://www.facebook.com/scaero/videos/1164952050242261/

For many of us Young Eagles, the target became achieving our first solos on our 16th birthdays. Being almost a year younger than most of the group, seeing everyone else accomplish this goal intensified my desire. Fortunately, I was awarded a Flying NZ Young Eagles scholarship, a crucial boost toward this dream. Funding my flying became a challenge, prompting me to take on a part-time job before and after school. There were moments of uncertainty when flight training costs seemed overwhelming compared to my earnings. Yet, if you truly want something, know that it is achievable.

Approaching my 16th birthday, I was flying once a week to refine my circuits. However, two weeks before the big day, the Cessna 150 I was training in became grounded, forcing me to quickly adapt to flying the Piper Tomahawk. This added challenge intensified the lead-up to my significant day. On my 16th birthday, with my family at the airport, I embarked on my first solo after a few circuits. As most pilots would attest, your first solo is one of the most memorable moments in your training, and to this day, I can vividly recall the flight.

Solo Video https://www.facebook.com/scaero/videos/1901905113213614/

Post my first solo, I continued flying once or twice a month to complete my solo consolidation. The need to rebuild my finances led me to slow down my flight training. As I re-entered flying semi-regularly during Year 12, I then assumed the role of House Captain in my final year of school. This role demanded more time running school affairs as part of the student executive, leading me to put flying on hold for the busiest part of the year. Another challenge then emerged with the onset of COVID, causing our first lockdown within the first few months of the school year. School shifted online, and as an essential worker, I found myself working over fifty hours a week to provide people with their online grocery orders. Flight training was halted during this time, and doubts about pursuing a pilot career surfaced amid global layoffs. Conversations with teachers suggested applying for university and exploring alternative career paths. However, my passion for flying prevailed, leading me to decide on a gap year to assess COVID's impact on the industry. Working full time during this period allowed me to build up my finances, ensuring I could complete my PPL and fund future flight training if I chose to continue. I also completed a certificate in business during this time to turn my experience into a formal qualification. Luckily, as the industry showed signs of revival, I resumed flying once the aero club reopened. During this time, I was nominated for the Pauwels Flying Scholarship, a journey that culminated in being awarded the Special Award for 2021. This affirmed my decision to continue flight training with IAANZ after completing my PPL.

I proceeded with my PPL training at South Canterbury Aero Club in 2022, completing my flight test a couple of weeks before my start date with IAANZ. Transitioning from the aero club style of flying with SCAC to a flight school environment with IAANZ was a significant change. It took me a couple of months to adapt to the new training environment, now operating at an international airport and adhering to many new Standard Operating Procedures.

Can you spot the hot air balloons? Cross Country flying

Having my PPL already complete meant I delved straight into the cross-country phase, exploring our amazing South Island. Cross-country training demanded meticulous planning and was highly weather-dependent. In between periods of bad weather, I was able to explore many new destinations like the Mackenzie Basin into Pukaki, the West coast, up north to Kaikoura, down south to Dunedin, and many places in between. During this time, my time management skills played a crucial role. Morning classes after plane pulling at 7 am, followed by a two to four-hour cross-countries in the afternoon, necessitated leaving one hour after class finished. Then came study and more flight planning once I was home. This exhausting routine emphasised the importance of excellent time management skills.

IAANZ Crew

After completing my hour building, I entered the Multi-Engine Instrument Rating phase of training at IAANZ, and it quickly became my favourite phase. Partnered with Raymond, we started in the simulator, learning the basics of IFR flying, building our scans, and enhancing awareness of IFR procedures. Moving into the actual aircraft, we put everything into practice, completing local flights and IFR cross-countries. Our first multi-engine type rating on the Partnevia was a thrilling experience. The first takeoff, with two levers forward, feeling the power behind you, was truly awesome! However, the aircraft's avionics upgrade left us without it for over four weeks, presenting a challenge in maintaining currency with our freshly acquired knowledge. Using this downtime wisely, I completed my BGT exam and revisited a lot of groundwork in preparation for our upcoming flight test. Once the aircraft was back in action, we continued our training and successfully completed our instrument ratings.

Ben and Raymond

A highlight during this time was a weekend trip to Te Anau with friends Zach and Jenna. It was a joy to use my licence to take friends on a trip. Amid the hustle of flight training, it served as a reminder to take downtime and enjoy the journey. It's easy to become overly focused on the end goal, but moments like these are crucial for maintaining a healthy perspective. At IAANZ, I forged many great friendships, sharing my journey with like-minded individuals. Having this support network was invaluable for navigating the ups and downs. It's essential to have a circle of support around you.

Throughout my flight training journey, a significant emphasis was placed on decision-making, a vital skill for any pilot. One of my toughest decisions was contemplating what came next after achieving my CPL. Interested in becoming a flight instructor, I grappled with the decision of staying at IAANZ or moving home to SCAC. My gut oscillated between staying and leaving, prompting me to apply for the instructor course with IAANZ to keep my options open. Although I turned down their offer, the process proved valuable. In the end, I chose to move home and complete my training with SCAC. My preference for aero club style flying, being surrounded by my mentors, and anticipating a more beneficial and cost-effective course guided my decision. Now, at the end of CCAT training, I am thrilled with the choice I made. Despite initial fears of making the wrong decision, trusting my gut, even when it sent conflicting signals at times, worked out well.

CCAT training marked a significant phase for me, kicking off with a four-day instructional techniques course to delve into subjects ranging from adult learning principles to teaching methodologies, the utilisation of training aids, and mastering questioning and assessment techniques. Following the completion of this initial course, I commenced the CCAT training with SCAC. This phase proved to be a formidable challenge, akin to relearning how to fly. What had become second nature to me, such as using the rudder in a turn, now required meticulous consideration as I prepared to articulate each action to a future student. The training encompassed extensive groundwork, involving mastering over 20 whiteboard preflight briefings and learning more than 50 principles of flight whiteboards, coupled with an in-depth understanding of Part 61/91 regulations and various other aviation topics. It wasn't merely about acquiring knowledge; it was about possessing a deep understanding to effectively convey it to others. Beyond the theoretical aspects, there was the practical dimension, transitioning to flying from the right-hand seat and delving into spin training requirements, a genuinely enjoyable experience. Subsequently, the journey involved mastering lesson patter, constructing lesson plans, and acquiring various skills essential to becoming an effective instructor.

One of his many CCAT boards

Reflecting on CCAT training, I find it immensely valuable. My confidence has flourished, and my flying skills have undergone substantial improvement. Of course, the path was not without its challenges, with hurdles inevitably presenting themselves. Yet, maintaining a positive mindset and demonstrating resilience proved instrumental in achieving a favourable outcome. The CCAT training journey was a transformative experience, enhancing both my instructional abilities and piloting proficiency.

CCAT Pass - with his examiner

In summary, my flight training journey has been a blast, and it's far from over. Although now a qualified CCAT, there's still much to learn. Aviation is an ongoing learning journey that never stops. My biggest piece of advice is to believe in yourself. If you want something, it's attainable, albeit requiring a heap of hard work. The challenges of flight training have their ups and downs, but finding enjoyment along the way toward your goals is key. Reflecting on the 14-year-old self experiencing that aerobatic intro flight, I believe he would be incredibly proud of where I am now.