Our Flying Scholarship Recipients & Winners

Mason Jensen – 18        Special Award Winner 2024

Mason had a pretty rough start to life. He and his twin sister were born to a drug addicted mother. At six months old they were taken to hospital suffering from malnutrition and neglect. They had both been beaten within an inch of their lives. They remained in hospital for two weeks, needing wide ranging care and treatment before they were healthy enough to be released into foster care.

After many years going through the courts, Mason and his sister were permanently placed with their foster parents. Over the years, Mason has lived with up to 7 children at a time as his parents have fostered over 50 babies and toddlers.

The family have little wealth or possessions. As Mum cares for vulnerable small children, Dad is the only income earner and he is a forklift mechanic. He is still working at 69 to support the family.

Mason is a house leader at Wainuiomata High School (decile 3) and is well on his way to passing his last year with excellence in most subjects. He is well liked amongst his peers and the teaching fraternity. His principal told us he has been a peer mentor to the junior school for the last two years and has been a sports Ambassador for the last three years.

To raise funds for his flight training, Mason has a part time role in the meat department at his local supermarket. He uses his income to be as self-sufficient as possible (to help with family finances) as well as saving up for flight lessons.

Mason has always been fascinated by aviation and before he started at intermediate school, he had crystallised his thoughts into the direction of wishing to become an airline pilot. Considering his lowly beginnings in life and living in a family with little in the way of economic security, he doesn’t see this as an obstacle, just extra steps to take in his path to the left seat of his favourite aircraft, the B777.

When Mason applied for the Scholarship, he had no contacts in aviation but in the meantime, he has worked hard to get to be known and has engaged extremely well. He now has extensive work experience in this field for his age e.g. flying right seat in Lifeflight’s King Airs - even doing the radio calls, to assisting with ramp services at Capital Jet in Wellington, as well as riding the jumpseat in a private jet, and even an A320.

We are delighted with Mason and with the help of the Hugo Charitable Trust, we are thrilled to help him on his long journey. One we are confident he will complete to his immense satisfaction.

Mason will start at Massey University College of Aviation in January next year.

End of year 2024 - Over the last 6 months, I have worked to engage with the New Zealand Aviation industry, starting off I managed to get some work experience ferrying Beechcraft King Air 200s to wellington with Chief pilot of LifeFlight, I was lucky to get special clearance to go tour the Wellington Air Traffic control tower which was a very cool side of aviation to see but, I think I’ll stick to being a pilot…

 Through my connections made this people flying for the likes of Qantas (Jet Connect), LifeFlight, and Air New Zealand I have been able to visit many flight decks and work in some awesome environments like the ramp of the Execujet hangar, performing many ramp duties including loading baggage onto an Air Chatham ATR72-500, to loading and unloading private jets, working with customs officers, towing planes into the hangar, and assisting with patient transfer on the aeromedical flights. It was an awesome experience turning around all these various aircraft and I got to talk to a lot of people from different aspects of Aviation, that day ended even better as I got to Jumpseat in a Dassault Falcon.

Recently I was fortunate enough to be awarded another scholarship valued at $4,300. I am also shortlisted for another scholarship valued between $1,000-$7000. Which will greatly help me as I start at Massey University’s School of Aviation on January 22nd.

Building upon that, I have recently finished High School with a NCEA level 3 Merit endorsement having already achieved the University entrance criteria, as well as renewing my NZ CAA Class 1 medical certificate.

As we near the holidays I will aim to continue building rapport with as many members of Aviation as I possibly can.

Twilight Edwards – 19 Special Award Winner 2024

Twilight is an inspiring young woman. She is Maori (Ngapuhi -Ngatiwai) and speaks Māori as her first language. Growing up on a remote Northland Island, Twilight had never considered being a pilot, however, thanks to a family friend who shouted her an introductory flight, she was bitten by the aviation bug when she was 16 and ever since, has wanted to be a pilot.

There was little enthusiasm for Twilight to become a pilot in the traditional school system so she left and pursued her own education, via Correspondence School, to make sure she had the right studies to become a pilot. She used the money she made from jewellery making to pay for tutors in physics and maths. She completed her secondary education with most results as ‘Achieved with Merit’.

The Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School was a hit with Twilight and she attended twice.

Twilight is an emerging artist and jewellery maker and can count Dame Jacinda Ardern as one of her customers. She has also done some modelling work and worked full time as an ambassador for Kauri Ora, teaching young people in schools and out in the field about biodiversity and care for the environment. She also worked last year in landscaping, construction demolition and house cleaning as she worked furiously to raise money for her flight training. She has earned enough to complete her private pilot’s licence and should have it knocked off by the end of this year.

Southern Wings Auckland campus is where Twilight hopes to begin her studies next year.

Twilight’s Scholarship was funded by The Gattung Foundation and Angela Gattung will present the trophy to Twilight in December.

Dilan Richard Paul - 26 Special Award Winner 2024

Dilan’s first experience of flight happened when he was 15 years old. He was also shackled at wrist and ankle between two burly guards and separated from his family. They were prisoners of the Australian Government and the family was heading for internment at the notorious Nauru Detention Centre.

However, instead of feeling anger, fear or any other perfectly acceptable emotion, he experienced an epiphany – flight was amazing and he was going to be a pilot!

It took nearly four years to get off Nauru. During those four years, he was never addressed by his name and being only addressed by a number tagged to his wrist. His family finally left the island for mainland Australia only because his younger brother became desperately ill.

For the next five years, he and his family lived under austere requirements and conditions. Dilan wasn’t allowed to gain permanent employment or study at tertiary level.

But throughout all this he worked steadily towards his goal of being an airline pilot. First he became fluent in English and then once he was working in his part time and casual roles he saved every penny he could and put it towards flight lessons. In this manner he accrued 90 hours flight time.

He was accepted by the New Zealand Government as a refugee and he arrived in Christchurch just before Christmas 2023. He immediately made himself known to the Canterbury Aero Club and is now a leader of the Young Eagles unit here.

We had known about Dilan for two years but other than a letter of support for his refugee application we could do nothing more until he was a permanent resident in New Zealand. Being accepted as a refugee meant he achieved the criteria.

We put him through the assessment phases in May this year and every result came back with very high scores. He was accepted into IAANZ here in Christchurch and he started there just one week after we notified him that he had become a recipient. We look forward to seeing how he progresses.

We are delighted to advise that Captain Dave Meale was his sponsor and presented him with his trophy at the 2024 IAANZ Awards evening.

End of year update - 2024 - It has now been five months since I started my studies with IAANZ. I have been busy with completing all my PPL theory papers and required flying experiences to convert my Australia RPL to NZ PPL. All the instructors and staff at IAANZ are incredibly helpful and friendly. I am glad and proud to be studying at IAANZ. I have now received all the requirements for applying for my NZ PPL and expect to do my BFR on 7th Dec.

Additionally, I have started on clearing my CPL subjects and expect to complete all my CPL papers by March. Moreover, I adore Christchurch's scenery and love flying in Christchurch. I am looking forward to starting my cross country flying phase soon.

Since I started flying in NZ, the most common word I have heard from my instructors is PIC MINDSET (Pilot in command Mindset). It made me question myself as to how to be in the right mindset in order to fly the aircraft as PIC.

As I am continuing my flight training, I have also adapted the habit of reading lots of aviation related books. This is something I consider enjoyable. I am also trying to have a chat with AirNZ Pilots to get to know more about the PIC Mindset. 

In my training period, my goal and aim is not to just get the requirements to be a licensed pilot, but to get all the skills and knowledge from experienced aviators that can’t be earned with any theory studies.

Abi Carter – 20 Special Award Winner 2023

When life sucks beyond comprehension, what better to do then dream of being a pilot! Abi has had a lifelong dream to fly and in recent years she has been able to finally pursue it. She is currently training at her club, Tauranga Aero Club.

Abi is a hugely motivated individual and stubbornly refuses to be defined by her previous woes. She brims with a bubbly personality and charms whosoever comes across her path. Her club captain calls her the ‘ever ready bunny’ and says so with huge affection in his voice and manner. Her boss feels she’s irreplaceable. And her Grandparents feel she is the best thing since sliced bread. We were blown away by how someone can come back from the brink of hell and shine like a star.

We met Abi in early October 2023 and we warmed to her immediately – so did our pilot interviewers and the other short listed candidates who flew down the same day to be interviewed.

Abi is the first of our nationwide recipients and with the avid support of her sponsor (The Gattung Foundation), she is surely destined to spend her career years blatting between countries far above the rotating world beneath her.

Abi gained her PPL in late November 2023 and starts at Nelson Aviation Academy in February 2024.

End of 2023 Update in Abi’s words - I don't think I have had any big updates since passing my PPL last week, (I still haven't stopped smiling!) and I'm just waiting for my licence to arrive now! 

 At the moment, I'm still a receptionist by day, waitress by night, but I've handed in eight weeks notice at both jobs and my plan is to continue working until mid January, to save as much as possible for NAC. I'm also planning to do my C172 type rating at the aeroclub over summer to make it easier next year, and I've ordered my CPL books, which will give me a little bit of light reading to do during summer as well...

Update - June 2024 - in Abi’s words -  So much has changed in the past six months! I'm settled into my life at NAC now, and I'm loving every minute of it. Motueka is so beautiful, and I've made some amazing friends here. My class spent the first couple of months in CPL theory, and then another couple of months in IFR theory, so I've only recently begun flying again! It was a little challenging at times - watching the rest of the students make the most of the lovely weather and go flying while we all faced seemingly endless theory - but I've passed all of my CPL, BGT, and IFR exams now which feels great, and I'm flying now - hopefully starting my cross countries soon! I've been on a few local flights already, and I cannot wait to explore more of the beautiful South Island. I've fallen utterly in love with the snowy mountains and stunning sunsets down here! I'm also working part time to help get by, and going for hikes and adventures whenever I have spare time! I miss my sisters a lot, but I am so happy to be here, working towards my dream. 

End of year 2024 - I suppose this means that I'm almost at the end of my first year at NAC! I've had a busy few months, and I've learned a lot. I've completed most of my CPL flying and I passed my cross country flight test last month!! (Yay!) I've done some incredible cross country flights - I've been to Hokitika, Hanmer, Kaikoura, Palmerston North, and I even flew across to Omaka, which had always been an intimidating aerodrome for me - and I've nearly got the 50 hours cross country PIC that I need. It's been wonderful achieving so many personal milestones and feeling my skills and confidence growing daily. My favourite memory from the past six months though was undoubtedly when I got to take my Nana and Poppa for a flight!! It was so special for me as they've been my biggest supporters (Poppa enjoys the engine/technical chat especially!) and I loved sharing the joy of flying with them. 

I'm a month into my MEIR (Multi Engine Instrument Rating) at the moment and it's quite a steep learning curve! I spent the first week in complete and utter confusion and it was a relief to see everyone else on my course looking equally shell-shocked at the end of each day, but it's making sense now and I'm really loving it! It's some very, very fun flying. I had a funny moment recently thinking about myself a year ago with my brand new PPL, and how if I'd known that in a year's time, I'd be flying DME arcs and RNP approaches I probably would've laughed and not believed it! But here I am! 

Other flying updates... well! I had a very amazing cross country flight recently where I met up with my friend Pete in Omaka and he took me for a couple of circuits in a Bristol Fighter!!!! It was an incredible experience and a once in a lifetime type of treat for sure. 

Alika Hunn – 16 Special Award Winner 2023

Being a young woman living in the thoroughly rural Taranaki dairy lands, career opportunities are very limited, if you dream big and want the very best life you can have.

That’s what Alika was facing when she went along to the regional schools career day. She wandered through the stalls and presentations on varying careers but nothing really took her fancy. That was until she came across the presentation on being a pilot. It was something she had never considered before as it was a career that had never been presented to her previously.

As she stared at the video before her, she had an epiphany. It was as if this was what she had always wanted to do, what she was destined to do. Her reaction to seeing being a pilot as a life choice for her was the same as John’s when he first flew as a passenger – a fire was lit in her belly and an almost desperate urge to get home and start learning to fly.

Alika followed through on that urge (which incidentally has only continues to grow) and flies whenever she is able to afford to do so. As with many young pilots, funds for flying are hard to find and being in a rural environment, getting a part time job is even harder so Alika made her own job – she created a dog grooming business and nearly makes enough each week to fly a lesson.

Alika is the second of our nationwide candidates and when we met her in early October 2023 we were struck be her maturity which is well beyond her years. Our pilot interviewers, Ben and David, felt she was on the button with attitude to both life and becoming a pilot. On the same day (nothing like a bit of pressure!) she underwent the gruelling interview and assessment for IAANZ. There’s fortitude for you!

Alika’s Scholarship is sponsored by a great friend of John’s – David Meale who chose to sponsor scholarships in the name of him and his beloved late wife, Helen. Alika will start her flight training at IAANZ in 2025.

Update June 2024 - I'm currently in my final year of high school, which has been quite busy for me, especially since I'm part of the Head Boarder team at my hostel for 2024. I’m continuing to build my flying hours and ticking off my exams in preparation for flight school next year. I attended my first NZAWA flying rally in May with some other ladies from the Hawera Aero Club where I competed in my first flying competition! 

Over the summer holidays, I did shift work in the local Fonterra factory to build up my savings and continue to groom dogs in my free time :)

End of year 2024 - High school’s a wrap and I’m on to bigger and better things!! I hope to attend flight school in the latter half of 2025 and meanwhile I secured employment doing shift work at the local Fonterra factory to save those much needed training funds. I’m still continuing my dog grooming business on the side to grow my savings. South Taranaki weather isn’t always promising especially over the winter months so I’m hoping to get the flight hours up over the summer and get my private license early next year! I’ve had some amazing experiences over the past 6 months thanks to John and Melissa gaining me a mentor in the Air New Zealand WINGS program. My mentor Natasha Politakis a Q300 Captain has provided me with great insight for my future career. A highlight was being able to fly jump seat with her from Christchurch to New Plymouth with an all female crew.

Matthew Youssef – 16 Special Award Winner 2023

Matthew comes from a family that oozes intelligence and good will to anyone who crosses their path. They have a strong Coptic faith and they needed to leave their homeland of Egypt because of religious persecution and find a new home. After some years in Canada, they settled in New Zealand which is where Matthew has spent most of his life.

Matthew attends the Young Eagles at North Shore Aero Club and has begun to accrue hours of flight. He had to pass quite rigorous testing to be admitted to the Young Eagles group. And recently won their ‘Top Gun’ award. Having said that, Matthew is a bright all rounder. Not only does he excel at scholarly pursuits, he also plays football and is in the school’s first XI.

With a strong sense of being part of a community, Matthew has a breathtaking list of involvement in community causes including Amnesty International Youth Group, Red Cross, SADD, UNESCO, UNICEF and leads the Physics Pathfinders initiative. He has recently been selected to become a school Prefect.

Matthew has lived and breathed aviation since he was three years old. He enjoys writing aviation articles for the North Shore Aero Club’s magazine and also for the nationwide publication – KiwiFlyer. He is a member of 5 Squadron Air Training Corps, which affords him the opportunity to participate in ANZAC services, complete community service, and study aviation theory. He also enjoys meet ups with plane spotters to socialize and converse over their common passion.  

Along with Abi and Alika, we met Matthew in early October 2023. Without a doubt he embodies the values of a true gentleman and is humble and gracious – and super excited to have become a recipient of the Scholarship!

The Hugo Charitable Trust is Matthew’s sponsor and he will begin at Southern Wings’ Auckland campus in 2025.

December 2023 update from Matthew - In January 2024, I'll be flying at the Walsh Memorial Flight School. My goal is to achieve my first solo flight and connect with fellow pilots who share similar interests. I'm excited about the incredible opportunity that awaits!

Update June 2024 - As for my update, I've spent the last few months working my way through the end of my IB diploma. Balancing this with my duties as a prefect, as well as playing football, is a challenge I love. Every day is different, and there’s always something to look forward to. In my spare time, I've begun to take notes on waypoints textbooks. It’s a lot of fun studying what I love in the midst of school content, which is much less appealing, but nonetheless intriguing. 

End of year 2024 - The past six months have been the most challenging yet rewarding of my life so far. Much of this time was dedicated to studying for my final IB exams, which I’ve now completed. I recently graduated high school after 13 long years, during which I made a meaningful impact on those around me and learned so much about the world. A highlight of my journey came on graduation day, when I was presented with the flying scholarship—a fitting conclusion to this chapter of my life. Now, I’m excited to focus entirely on my aviation career. I’ll be returning to the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School in January 2025 and starting at Southern Wings in February. In the meantime, I’m preparing by working, continuing to study with the resources I have, and ensuring I take a good break. 

Gemma Bray – 17 Special Award winner 2022

Gemma is clearly a woman on a mission. Her passion was ignited when she was 12 when she got the opportunity to sit in the Flight Deck of the aircraft she had just flown on. Since that time, she has been confident that she will become an airline pilot and will eventually become a captain. Acutely aware that, globally, only 5% of airline pilots are women and more starkly, only 1% of airline captains are women, she sees that she is a role model for the young women that follow in her path.

Gemma attends Burnside High School and is dedicated to her studies which have been chosen to help her best with her chosen career. She regularly achieves excellence in her studies and is more than happy to pass up on social opportunities so she can study. She is a peer tutor, helping her schoolmates gain a better understanding of subjects they have difficulty with.

However, Gemma is no nerd. She is an advanced skier and is on her school's netball team. She loves singing and plays badminton. She also has a very involved background in dance and gymnastics (both of which she practises in her own time) with her happy place being working on stage show events.

She finds time from all these activities to have a meaningful part time job at McDonalds to earn money for her flying. She is part way through her private pilot licence and has secured her Class 1 medical.

She and her family help out with the City Mission Christmas Day lunch, and she is part of her school’s Environmental Club.

Gemma’s Scholarship was the third sponsored by the marvellous Hugo Charitable Trust.

Gemma expects to start at IAANZ in 2023.

2022 Update - Gemma recently won the 2022 Young Eagle of the Year Award and has recently gone solo and has achieved her area solo. She has also contributed 40 hours to community service as she continues to care for her community.

Update – end 2022. She is continuing to progress in flight training with a goal of obtaining a restricted PPL in January before she starts at IAANZ as this will give her a really good base moving forward.

Update - June 2023. Here's Gemma’s update in her own words. ‘A few things with me have changed this year. I am no longer at high school and now studying at IAANZ (currently in my cross country/ hour building phase). I now have a full PPL (with my flight test having been in January and my CPL cross country flight test coming up in the next week- weather permitting). In terms of IAANZ, I've only got 1 more CPL theory subject to sit (Aircraft Technology) and then onto IFR! 

December 2023 - Here’s Gemma’s update. I have now completed all theory and hour building (including night)! My mornings are currently spent waitressing at a breakfast buffet, and my afternoons are spent in the sim, getting ready for the IFR flight test in the multi engine (which is expected to be in early March). After that, onto the CPL phase, with my test date currently set for late April or early May. 

Update June 2024 - Since the last update, I've completed my MEIR flight test which definitely challenged me a bit. This morning, I also sat the groundwork portion of my CPL, however due to weather we couldn't conduct the flight. Aiming to get it fully completed in the coming week. In terms of after CPL, I'm wanting to undertake an instructor course at some point. However, before that, I'm thinking of slipping into full time work for a couple of months just to save up a bit more.  

 *Gemma has also recently advised that she has been accepted for a funded position at NAC to complete her CCAT Instructor training. Well done Gemma!

End of year 2024 - Quite a bit has happened since the last update. I have sat both my CPL and completed C-category instructor training at Nelson Aviation College. This is a course I thoroughly enjoyed doing. I am now polishing up my CV and on the hunt for my first aviation job. I am aiming to use that instructor rating, however I think sightseeing flights could also be a really cool opportunity if it were to arise. I formally graduate from IAANZ next week so it will be cool to see everyone together for the last time and get that Diploma in hand." 

Murphy McMillan – 16 Hillmorton Scholarship Winner 2022

Murphy was waiting with remarkable patience for the Scholarship application period to open so he could apply. His application was the first received and it looked promising. There was regular communication from his parents who are very supportive of his aspirations.

Like most successful pilots, the desire to fly arrived like a thunder bolt. In Murphy’s case it was during a stopover at Singapore airport when he was 10 years old. He was mesmerised by watching the aircraft movements around the airport and he had no desire to continue his journey. He wanted to stay right where he was.

A passionate musician specialising in guitar, he is also very sporty, playing football for the school and in the summer, playing cricket for Heathcote as well as coaching the very young players.

His passion for flying means he spends quite a bit of time on his computer with Flight simulators and he has developed his own website creating landscape imagery for flying simulators.

He volunteers as ‘tech crew’ for the school’s activities, setting up and dismantling seating, audio and visual equipment etc.

Murphy expects to start at IAANZ in 2024.

Update - June 2023. Murphy is continuing to embrace life with passion. In his last year of school, he’s working towards his NCEA credits that will useful to become a pilot. He’s flat out studying at school, playing in the school’s first 11 team and has been elected as a school senior leader.

Murphy works part time as a waiter to raise those all important funds for flying and is studying for his PPL Flight radio exam. He is also using IAANZ’s online e-learning to be as ready as possible for when he starts there next year.

End of 2023 Update in his own words - Having completed year 13 and finished at high school, I am now moving into an exciting chapter as I get underway with my flight training at IAANZ in Jan 2024. I am thoroughly looking forward to the start of this chapter having prepared for my entry over the last year through various courses and experiences, which have provided me with a taste of what my training will look like in 2024 as I work towards obtaining my Private Pilot's License.

Update June 2024 - I am currently studying at IAANZ full time, working on my PPL. I've finished all of my PPL theory subjects and now move onto CPL theory which will be a new challenge as the topics dive much deeper and more in depth than the PPL papers do. 
Flying wise, I am currently gaining my required PPL solo hours and working through some maneuvers. A challenge that we all face during the winter months is the often poor and unpredictable weather, which poses its own set of challenges when flying.

All in all I am enjoying my time at IAANZ and look forward to moving through my PPL checklist in order to sit my flight test in a few months. 

End of year update - 2024 - Since my last update, I have completed my Private Pilots License and PPL Cross Country syllabus, and have been flying CPL Cross Country for the last few months, which has been extremely rewarding and enjoyable, with some awesome trips around the south island thus far. 
Flying around the mountains in places like Pukaki (Twizel), Wanaka, and Hokitika provides some outstanding scenery and really highlights some of the challenges we face when flying in New Zealand due to our unique topography. 
I have completed all CPL exams (and some ATPL's) and am now working through my Instrument Rating examinations. 
My next step after the Cross Country phase will be Hour Building and preparing for my Commercial Pilots License flight test in the coming months after the New Year. 

Ben Williams - 19 Special Award Winner 2021

Wishing to keep the momentum of the scholarship programme up despite the hand brake effect of the pandemic, John had contacted the South Canterbury Aero club to see if they may know of any potential recipients for the Special Award.

Within 24 hours, Ben had been nominated.

Following discreet enquiries with his parents, it was clear that Ben was a good candidate.

Ben and his family live in Geraldine so it was agreed we would drive to Methven to meet. A suitable halfway point for both parties. His parents came too, and it was clear they were bursting with pride that their son was being considered for the scholarship.

Ben is our oldest recipient so far but is also further along in his commitment to become a pilot.

Ben and his brother are adopted. Ben’s brother has health issues.

Ben’s father is an agricultural mechanic and is of Ngai Tahu heritage. His mother cares fulltime for his brother, and this can be challenging at times. Ben shares care for his brother when at home.

Ben was a good scholar and is very much a realist. It is clear he is a strategic planner.

Although his passion is to be an airline pilot, he also knew that his family doesn’t have the means to help.

Since discovering the fire in his belly five years ago, at the age of 15 he took on the total responsibility to finance his flying training and reach his goal. He went and got a part time role in the town’s supermarket and once he had completed school, he took up a full time role at the supermarket. They had recognised his leadership skill and within a year was a department manager.

Ben has pursued his grocery career as he knows he needs a fall back if he was unable to succeed in becoming a pilot, but it is clear to everyone that aviation is his first love. He would live at the aeroclub if he could!

Ben was a scout throughout his childhood. He has participated in workshops teaching the internet and computer skills to the elderly and has fundraised for the local foodbank. He is currently the youth representative on the aeroclub board.

Ben’s Scholarship was sponsored by the Hugo Charitable Trust.

Ben starts at IAANZ in mid 2022 and has a view to spend a few years as a Flight Instructor before moving to airline flying.

2022 Update - Ben has started at IAANZ after moving to Christchurch and has made friends with his course mates and is thoroughly enjoying his training.

Update – end 2022. He has now completed his cross country hour building and flight test with IAANZ. He has now entered the Multi Engine Instrument Rating phase for the remainder of this year and into 2023. He has now also completed 5/6 of the CPL exams and all 3 IFR exams. It has definitely been a hectic few months for Ben but being able to fly all around the South Island for hour building has definitely been a highlight.

Update - June 2023. Ben has just about completed his training at IAANZ. He’s committed to becoming a flight Instructor and will probably do that training at South Canterbury Aero Club.

Update - December 2023. Here’s Ben’s update in his words - I guess the update from me is that I finished up at IAANZ in July after completing my CPL. Have then been studying hard with SCAC (South Canterbury Aero Club) full time towards my CCAT, hopefully will pass that sometime over the next couple weeks pending examiner availability. And of course graduation the other week, was great to receive the diploma in hand to go alongside the licenses and ratings achieved over the past 18months.

Update - June 2024. Now that I have my full time instructing role with SCAC, I am now awaiting my 6 months CCAT supervision period to be over, having now hit 100hrs instructing! Being out of supervision once I hit July 22nd will mean I able to instruct without an A or B CAT on the aerodrome at the same time, so a little bit more freedom and flexibility. I am really enjoying instructing and seeing my students achieve all the awesome milestones that are part of the aviation journey. I am also getting back into study mode working towards the rest of my ATPL exams when I find the time.

End of Year Update - 2024 - Today I passed my B-Category Instructor Rating! (19/12/2024) A big few weeks of preparation have led to a successful flight test pass with Nathan Clarke. Having my BCAT means I now have more instructor privileges such as sending first solo’s and BFRs. I am loving the world of flight instruction and am stoked to have achieved this milestone is such as short amount of time. I am now looking forward to a much needed Christmas and New Year break after a crazy busy year, I managed to do fly 365 hours this year, and only going full time instructing in May - I am looking forward to an even busier year ahead!

Hamish Kirk - 16 Hillmorton Scholarship Winner 2021

Hamish is a model of patience, as he had wanted to apply in 2020 for the scholarship and was dismayed when it was abandoned for the year after NZ went into Lockdown in March that year. A year is a long time in the life of a young person.

However, he was front of the queue when applications opened.

His great grandfather was the Mighty Totara, Prime Minister Norman Kirk, and his grandfather was Shadow Minister for Civil Aviation in the 1970’s.

However, time and tides change family fortunes and Hamish is ready to make his own mark on life.

Hamish blitzed both the interviews and the ability testing. This was made possible in part by his encyclopaedic knowledge, his very useful part time employment as a software tester for an aircraft flight deck simulator company and his very pleasant personality.

Like several recipients of the Pauwels Flying Scholarship, Hamish was given a return flight by Air New Zealand. He flew to Queenstown and back with Captain Dave Griffin (who had conducted his initial scholarship interview).

Hamish was so in awe of the generosity of Air New Zealand that he wrote a letter documenting what had taken place and expressing his gratitude for the experience (which included non public access to Flight Operations). Air New Zealand was so impressed by this act that they published the letter in an inhouse pilot publication.

Hamish anticipates beginning his flight training in 2023, after his final year at school in 2022.

He now has a part time role as Ground Support for Plane Biz.

Update - June 2023. Hamish reports in with - ‘At the end of this month I begin my CPL theory and I’ll be finishing off the end of my PPL flying alongside this! It’s been a long wait but the academy is just around the corner and I’m really looking forward to it! 

 As of now I have completed 90%+ of the PPL syllabus flying wise and have passed all 6 of my theory exams first time around above 80% as I really enjoyed learning about all the aspects of becoming a private pilot!’ 

Update June 2024 - Hamish started at IAANZ last year and worked well through the syllabus but hit a glitch this year. Regretfully, his student loan didn’t roll over after a break from the course and he now has to wait until the beginning of 2025 to get back into training. But ever thoughtful about his goal, he is now working full time with Plane Biz and getting a healthier bank balance to hit the ground running next year!

End of year 2024 - The second half of my course was delayed until next year. I now know I will be resuming on the 16th of Jan 2025 to complete my CPL. I didn't want to waste any time either so beyond looking after myself, I have also renewed my license completing a BFR and am about to have finished my PPL XC to be ready to begin with my CPL in January. I didn't want to lose any time, and just because life can be uncontrollable at times, doesn't mean its impossible to take control and make the most of what I had to work with. 

Beni Rae - 16 Special Award Winner 2020

Beni’s Mum is a Hungarian immigrant and both his father and sister live with substantial health issues. This has put considerable financial strain on the family, and a lot of responsibility on Beni to care for his family as well as achieve the best education he can.

Beni is gifted and is a remarkable all rounder when it comes to education. He is also an impressive musician and astronomer.

Beni attends Hagley Community College and is self-directing his education.

He has wanted to be a pilot since he was five years old.

His family moved to Christchurch a couple of years ago to seek specialist help for his sister’s health needs.

Beni takes his responsibility to his family’s health challenges very seriously and is a model of resilience when events can take a sudden and challenging turn.

Beni came to our attention through the observations of senior aviation members impressed with his calm and mature presentation and commitment to aviation events.

He has organised a washing roster of other young aviation enthusiasts to wash the aircraft belong to the Canterbury Aero Club. These must be some of the cleanest planes in New Zealand!

Becoming a recipient of the Special Award seemed to galvanise Beni and in a pandemic market where it was hard to secure a part time job, he quickly found one in the fast food industry.

As his start date for beginning at IAANZ in 2023 draws closer, he has since secured a plum part time role as Ground Crew for Sounds Air. This is a role which will deepen his understanding of how airlines work whilst he trains to be a pilot.

2022 Update - Beni won the Ross Macpherson Award in November last year. HIs role as Ground Crew for Sounds Air at Christchurch Airport has intensified his understanding of how commercial airline operations work and he has had to develop strong logistical and public relation skills which he is able to use to his advantage in pursuing his goal to be a commercial pilot. He has also recently become a Young Eagles leader, helping run the Christchurch chapter.

Update – end 2022. Most recently he volunteered to help out at the South Island Akrofest 2022, an acrobatic competition at Ashburton, he got to sit on the judging line helping the judges, he went for a couple flights, and met and talked to many interesting pilots from around the South Island. He reports it was great fun helping out, and he even met a few Air NZ pilots there too.

Update - June 2023. Here’s Beni’s update - ‘So far at IAANZ I have finished all my PPL theory and have started on my CPL subjects. I was very happy with how I did on my PPL exams, most of my exams being around the 97% mark, and even more happy to get above 90% in CPL and ATPL Meteorology. The flying aspect has also been very rewarding. I have gone solo, and am aiming to have my PPL done around August. After being mostly "on the ground" for so long it feels fantastic to be flying nearly every day weather permits’.

Not bad, Beni. He also continues to work for Sounds Air as ground Staff at Christchurch Airport and Airways NZ is keen to catch up with him when he finishes training.

End of 2023 Update, in Beni’s words - At IAANZ I have completed all my CPL subjects and the two ATPL exams we sit during our course, and I was quite happy with my marks on them. I've sat our first IFR subject, and now all I have is two more and then I'm done with exams! I passed my PPL flight test back in September, and since then I have been puddling around the country building up my cross country requirements. 

The last half of this year has certainly been quite busy - there is no denying the academy is full on, with a constant flow of exams and flying, I'm looking forward to a nice quiet Christmas before cracking back into it. From here I've got the rest of my cross country flying to complete, my multi engine instrument rating, and then finally my CPL. With no more exams to sit I'll be spending next year simply flying around, with hopefully some good weather!

Update - end of June 2024 - In Beni’s words - In the past 6 months I've been going along with my flight training well. Passed my cross country flight test, my last IFR exams, and am currently a couple weeks from sitting my CPL flight test. Having just flights on has been fantastic, and it has contrasted with the busy last half of 2023 in a good way. I've had a bit more time to do some things outside of flying. I've picked up an extra job at Air Chathams doing ground ops, which has been quite different from Sounds Air. I really enjoy it there and the crew I work with is fantastic. I've also been spending a bit more time again with music, picking up the accordion, and had some more time to spend outdoors.

As I approach my CPL there is of course one big question on my mind - that first flying job. In my time off I have also visited a handful of operators, and organised to have a chat with some relevant people. Most of what I've heard is "Come again once you have your CPL", but overall people seem to have appreciated seeing a face, and having a chat. My CV has been impressive to some, so I'm quite optimistic that I'll be able to land a job after IAANZ. All else fails, I'll be saving my money for a move to Australia, however I really am hoping to work in New Zealand. Some advice I have been given is try to be well rounded - basically, have some skills outside of flying, but also vary my flying. Towards the end of my cross country hour building and night flying I tried to keep it varied - particularly trying to spend time in the mountains where I can, and taking passengers up as much as possible. After finally taking my parents flying, and some friends, I feel the experience taking people up was very valuable!

Until I'm done with my CPL I plan on visiting a couple other places, and flying as much as possible. After I'm done it'll be a little bit of "playing it by ear", but I'm not planning on letting off the gas until I land a job flying.

End of year 2024 - It's been a very interesting past few months. My CPL flight test went great, but after I got it, most places had already started getting ready for the summer season. My flight examiner put me forward to an operator, as he said I did well and they were looking for someone. After some communication, a GA8 Airvan rating, and time at their airfield, it all slipped away in November, due to some business issues. So, I started November with nothing lined up and a big sense of uncertainty. However, I carried on with the ground work I had in Christchurch. At the moment money is a huge factor - it means flexibility, more flying, and gives me options. I didn't have enough money saved to complete my MEIR, as the cost has increased over the past couple years. Though I don't see this as a setback, I'm still employable, and confident I can make it work.

Sounds Air needed an extra staff member in Wanaka, so they started flying me down for a few days a week to work there. Air Chathams needed a brand new van to move from Auckland to Timaru, so I got flown up one morning and made the long haul home. I had been talking to one of the managers about the C206 on the island doing a run from Chatham to Pitt Island, so I asked him again in Auckland. Turns out they had put out expressions of interest internally! But, in getting taken on with them, my email slipped through the cracks and I never received anything. Another bit of a setback. 

So, with me spending more time away from Christchurch than actually being home, I asked Sounds Air if I could move down to Wanaka. There's a lot more hours for me there, and plenty of scenic operators that I could start talking to. It was given a green light and I'll be moving down there next week. Over the summer, I'll be saving money, enjoying Wanaka, and getting ready for the end of the season. If nothing comes up in New Zealand I have to weigh up going for a C-CAT, going to Australia, or going back to do my MEIR. I think at this stage Australia is my most likely path forward.

So, though the past couple months have been a challenge, I'm still looking up. I'm still flying in my own time, and as I said last time I'm not slowing down until I land that first flying job.

Ryan Verwey - 19 Hillmorton Scholarship Winner 2019

Ryan’s family recently immigrated from South Africa to begin a new life in New Zealand.

Ryan had always wanted to be a pilot and was thrilled to find his new school hosted the Pauwels Flying Scholarship.

He recalls being torn in two with applying as his closest friend also applied. If he won, it meant his friend hadn’t. But he was desperate to become a pilot.

By applying for the scholarship, he felt his dream had become more tangible – he could practically feel it.

He suffered immense self-doubt as he progressed through the interviews and testing but was determined to do his best.

He was anticipating the worst when the letter announcing the outcome was received. He and his parents were incredibly nervous when he opened the letter, but all were ecstatic when they saw he had won the Scholarship.

It was the first time he felt he had achieved something entirely on his own without parental input.

It was a feel good moment when he received the trophy and put the jacket on.

Ryan began his training with IAANZ in January 2020. His training was severely disrupted by Covid-19 and also by student loan issues as he hadn’t been a NZ resident long enough to be eligible.

Update – end 2022. He is currently working as a Financial Adviser as it gives him the opportunity to earn more  money for flight training. With recent changes to the student loans- he is no longer eligible and has to pay the entire training as he can. As it stands, he is closely approaching the hours needed for a commercial license.

End of 2023 update in Ryan’s words - I am good, currently working and studying and in the process of doing my Biannual Flight Review.

Anaru Jackson - 16 Inaugural Special Award Winner 2019

Anaru’s attitude to both his desire to fly and his commitment to his community as well as being a high achieving student was the genesis for the creation of the second scholarship.

Anaru had set the bar for those who came after him as recipients of the Special Award.

Anaru is Maori and has been raised by his solo mother. Although financial means were meagre, both mother and son recognised they had a part to play in their society and Anaru was raised to always do his best and respect everybody.

Initially, as John and Melissa worked out the scope and processes for creating the new scholarship, in cahoots with Anaru’s Mum, Heather, Anaru was unwittingly put through the initial interviews with Dave and Ben, Air New Zealand pilots. It was only when the most consequential part of the testing process was about to begin that Anaru was told he was in line for a special scholarship. He was stunned.

Anaru passed with flying colours and was awarded the trophy twice. Once in front of his Hornby High School peers and again, in front of his Young Eagles peers.

The scholarship (sponsored by the Hugo Charitable Trust) gave Anaru huge motivation, and he has focused all his energies and savings from his part time job to be in the best position to take advantage of the scholarship.

He is currently working for Air New Zealand in ground support, and he has started his flight training.

2022 Update - Anaru received his Silver Duke of Edinburgh award from Mayor Leanne Dalziel in August and in September was promoted to a more senior role in Air New Zealand. He has more than 60 hours in his log book and is close to gaining his PPL. He also participates in Aero Club competitions.

2023 Update. Here’s Anaru’s update in his words…This year has been a jam packed one and flown by. It's definitely been a year of personal growth which has been very valuable. I've moved into an officers role at Cadets, which means I have taken more responsibility in planning and organising activities. One of these was a Flying Day based out at Rangiora, where we had 30 cadets each getting a 40 min Flight, as well as showing them airfield safety and theory on the ground. (Preflight, Map Reading, and Met etc). Last Saturday I showed 10 enthusiastic Young Eagles around the Christchurch Airport Ramp. It was great to show them a bit about my work and the opportunity they have to work out there if they choose. It gave them a different perspective on the airport, and how much goes on behind the scenes. Plus it was great to catch up with Rob and Darryl. On a side note, last week was my two year anniversary working at Air NZ. It's gone by quick. I've learnt a lot and am still learning.  

 Although my flying has taken a bit of a pause this year, it's made me realize even more how much I want to pursue flying. I'm currently sitting on the hours required for a PPL flight test and plan to smash that out early next year. Although not as far through as others in the scholarship recipients, I still plan to sit my CPL.

Wen Seng Chen - 15 Inaugural Hillmorton Scholarship Winner 2018

A first generation Kiwi, Wen Seng’s Chinese immigrant parents have worked hard to etch out a good life for their children.

Wen Sen had thought about being a pilot but felt it was far beyond his and his parents’ abilities to fund the training.

When the scholarship was launched, he applied along with several other hopeful candidates and was staggered to become the inaugural winner.

Air New Zealand, as a show of support for the scholarship, shouted airfares to Auckland and gave Wen Seng an hour in the B777 simulator with an instructor. With John as his captain and the instructor helping from behind, Wen Seng was able to land the huge aircraft safely into Los Angeles International airport. The instructor remarked that had Wen Seng been a qualified pilot, he would have hired him purely on his aptitude.

Wen Seng began his pilot training at IAANZ in 2021 and currently is close to attaining his Commercial Pilot Licence.

Update – end 2022. He has just finished multi engine phase a week ago as his flight test was last Thursday. Resting for the new year and working during the break. CPL is expected to take 6-8 weeks but due to some disruption in the multiphase it might potentially stall the start of the CPL phase.

Update - June 2023. Wen Seng has now completed his training at IAANZ and is now looking for a role, preferably in the tourism industry flying tourists around. He’s on a road trip around the country dropping his CV into all the air operators. Look out for him coming into your office, if you’re in the tourism aviation sector. We wish him all the best!