Wings recipients are magnificent seven

Seven students from the School of Aviation were presented with their professional pilot licences at a ceremony on the Manawatu campus on Thursday.

Receiving their Wings badges were: Byron Andrews (New Plymouth), Spencer Beavis (Auckland), Brandon Cawood (Manawatu), Michael Dwyer (Auckland), Peter Kim (Auckland), Greg McGhie (Manawatu), and Daniel McGimpsey (Southland).

The Bachelor of Aviation students have successfully completed their flying training and will go on to complete their academic qualifications to ensure they have all the skills required for a successful career in the industry.

Guest speaker at the ceremony was Air New Zealand’s Captain Chris Kriechbaum, who oversees the development of pilots in his role as manager of institute partner relationships.

He said it was a privilege to be associated with Massey University’s School of Aviation as a partner of the Air New Zealand Aviation Institute.

“Massey is the only partner offering a degree, which is quite significant as we look for future management roles in our group. It’s also the only one that trains on glass cockpits. We choose to partner with Massey to ensure a good supply of newly-qualified pilots.”

He urged students to take a lead from the people in Christchurch and be resilient, to build on their people skills and to be ready to work as part of a team as well as to lead.

Former Southland Boys’ High student Daniel McGimpsey was presented with the Outstanding Student Award as well as the Air New Zealand Flying Award and the Airways Corporation Academic Award.

“It’s not really about the award, I’m just stoked to get through the programme,” he said.

Brandon Cawood won the Palmerston North International Airport – Professional Attributes Award, the Hugh Francis Navigation Award and the Craig Merryweather Memorial Scholarship. He was presented with the scholarship by Craig’s father, David, and brother Geoffrey who also made a further substantial contribution to the memorial award fund.

Speaking to the Wings recipients Mr Merryweather senior said Craig achieved “with his head down and his tail up”, and the award recipient had shown the same attributes. He also urged the new pilots to always be flexible in their outlook on life and not to get stuck in a career rut.

Andrew Vialoux, a former Rangitoto College pupil and Dean’s List student, received the Air BP Academic Award for the highest grade point average of the Massey 56 and 57 student groups. He is a member of the North Shore Model Aero Club and has a keen interest in radio control aircraft modelling through the Model Flying New Zealand organization.

Spencer Beavis won the Fieldair Engineering Ltd Aviation Systems Award and a cheque for $1,000 from Fieldair’s Charles Giliam, George Minors won the Manager of Professional Programmes Award and Lachlan McIntosh was presented with the Air BP Scholarship – Flight Instruction Award.

This year was a special year for all students receiving their Wings as it marks the school’s silver jubilee.

School of Aviation chief executive Ashok Poduval congratulated the pilots on their success.

“Go overseas and get your experience – but come back because we need you,” he said.

Massey is one of the few tertiary education institutions in the world to combine professional pilot training with university degree qualifications. Students also had photographs taken with the University’s $8 million aircraft fleet.