This is an incredible story. I bet my bottom dollar you will be amazed at Dilan’s journey from incarceration to C Cat Instructor. Dilan didn’t experience full and undiluted freedom until he was 25. The moment he got a chance, he went for it - reaching for his dream to become an airline pilot. Three and a half years later, he’s nearly there!

There are those who live to be pilots - full stop - and there are those who enjoy all aspects of life, and being a pilot is the icing on the cake. Kate is possibly more involved in life - the doing and the experiencing - than most people we know. Her passion is flying, no doubt about it, but what she has tried and achieved in her first 20 years is breathtaking.

What is it like when you want something so bad, have goals that seem impossible to achieve and have to fight self doubt… only to face rejection? Do you crawl into a black hole and give up on your dream? No! You keep trying, take on advice and prove to yourself and others that you have what it takes. This is exactly what our first winner of 2026 did. Max was shortlisted last year, but missed out on a scholarship. He came back this year more powerful and organised than we ever expected. Rightly so, he is our first winner for this year. Welcome onboard, Max!

This article is the third in a short series showcasing the Air New Zealand Preferred Flight Training Organisations we are affiliated with.

With bases at either end of the country, the diversity of flying conditions offered by Southern wings is impressive.

This article is the second in a short series showcasing the Air New Zealand Preferred Flight Training Organisations that we are affiliated with.

IAANZ is our local PFTO and our relationship goes back to 2017, when John and I were setting up the Scholarship. Seven of our winners have graduated from IAANZ and we have another currently training there.

This article is the first in a short series showcasing the Air New Zealand preferred Flight Training Organisations that we are affiliated with.

The first off the rank is Nelson Aviation College. This year, three of our winners are in attendance, and two previous winners have already graduated from there. Every single one has reported back to us in glowing terms of their time here.

Here’s the first six monthly catch up of the year with most of our winners so far. They’re an admirable lot and we love having been a part of their journey so far.

Enjoy reading about their successes, frustrations, exploits and plans.

Our post about being a fit and proper person elicited a lot of comment and reaction. Today, the wife of a pilot offers a response to the article. It is certainly food for thought.

This is probably the most controversial article we have written yet.

With privilege comes responsibility and an expectation of good behaviour. However, a few pilots don’t feel this applies to them. Their actions let down everyone. And for what gain?

Oof! When we get anxious approaching the petrol station to fill up our cars, spare a thought for student pilots. Already dealing with student loan shortfalls in the tens of thousands of dollars, the sudden mega increase in aviation fuel costs can bring on dispair. But is it? Check out how some of our winners are coping and what they are doing about it.

Happy Easter everyone! And we’ve thought of you having heaps of time on your hands. Here’s a decent read to help you relax. Jeremy Burfoot tells of the time he took a three year sabbatical from flying passengers around the world to flying cargo instead - from Anchorage of all places and for JAL.

It’s a great read with a few giggles. I recommend at least half a dozen hot cross buns and the tipple of your choice.

This is our second story about the Walsh Scout Memorial Flying School. The first was written a couple of years ago by Matthew Youssef. And now two of last year’s winners have written a report on their experiences as return students to the two week flying camp at Matamata.

It’s a fabulous organisation where young fliers forge lifelong friends and learn valuable aviation lessons as well as having a real opportunity to go solo before they leave.

Monty Francis. A special winner as he is the FIFTH winner for 2025. As a charity that can only offer up to 4 scholarships a year, this is quite the anomaly having five winners.

Monty had to be patient whilst a CAA issue needed to be ironed out but all that was put behind him when CAA approval came through two days before Christmas. And Monty has hit the ground running, already gaining his solo on his 16th birthday.

As a charity spending other people’s money (and John’s!), we have a responsibility to show what we are doing with it, and how well our vision is working out.

The end of the year is a good time for reflection and what better than real time progress reports from all our winners.

We hope you enjoy reading through what we and our winners are achieving. I recommend two Christmas mince pies and some brandy eggnog whilst you read this article - and of course - Merry Christmas from John and I 🎄

Luka can not comprehend a life without aviation. But she knew it would be the biggest financial ask of her young life. She gritted her teeth and committed to holding down a full time job whilst still at school! We’ve not heard of anyone doing that before. AND she also was a carer for her elderly and unwell father. And an artist…

You can read her remarkable story right here and see for yourself the quality of her artwork.

Pictured is Luka with her trophy with John Pauwels and Chris Woodwiss and Angela Gattung from The Gattung Foundation.

Rising above the odds, this is a story of a young man battling tooth and nail to get to his dream.

Sion is proof that if you really, really want something- then you go and get it. Obstacles are simply hurdles to be jumped.

If you think you are working hard to get to your dream, let Sion’s story inspire you.

Pictured is Sion with John Pauwels, and his sponsor - Captain (ret) Dave Meale.

Carly Sherriff is a wee pocket rocket determined to go places. With energy to burn, an infectious personality and a steely determination to reach her goal, we know she will.

Here is her story. Join us in congratulating her on her achievement in winning one of our Scholarships. 👏

Today, we are delighted to introduce Captain Mike Bannister, British Airways Chief Concorde Pilot.

Mike flew Concorde almost from the very beginning and took on the role of Chief Pilot from 1995 until the fleet retired in 2003.

We were fortunate to interview Mike recently, and we have put together a transcript of the interview.

Grab a coffee and muffin and settle in to read this week’s article.

Let the celebrations begin as we start announcing our winners for 2025!

Today we are delighted to introduce Rocky Thom as our first winner for the year. You can read how an intense childhood has given way to pursuing his lifelong dream.

John and Des Lines (Rocky’s mentor) presented Rocky with his trophy at Des Lines’ Aviation establishment.

In the last article, we discussed retiring from flying. But what happens when you suddenly lose your job through no fault of your own?

Soon to be Captain Steve Harris gives us his story of financial survival after suddenly losing his job during Covid.