Winter 2026 Winner Update
I just can’t fathom how fast the year has flashed by! As part of the ‘sandwich generation’ my weeks are dominated by care for a multigenerational family – Mum with dementia, two daughters dealing with long term injuries; and three energetic pre-school grandchildren need looking after, too! Notwithstanding these commitments, my work for the Scholarship grows year on year.
John and I are working through the significant number of candidate applications for this year’s scholarships. We’re trying to shortlist potential winners before John’s surgery. We had more applicants this year than any year previously so it’s very challenging. On the whole, the calibre of this year’s candidates is as good as ever, meaning we are having to make difficult choices. For those who end up being finalists, they can be well pleased with themselves.
Although John and I are busy, we appreciate the physical and psychological workloads of our previous winners. It’s not easy making your way towards being an airline pilot. And in New Zealand, it is particularly difficult (and that’s without a fuel crisis to top things off!) as approximately 150 CPL graduates qualify each year into a General Aviation market that only has approximately 20 roles offered a year. Hence the 30/70 line - the 30% who eventually get a paid role in aviation and the 70% who never do.
When do pilots make the choice to move into a different career? I’m reckoning these decisions are made at all stages of the hopeful pilot’s progress. We, too, skim along the 30/70 line as we sadly acknowledge that some of our winners fall by the wayside. The first indication we get is the repeated lack of response to our queries about how they are getting on. We feel a pang of sadness when we eventually concede that a winner has gone - it’s like losing a family member.
But most of our winners choose a deliberate move to enter full time work elsewhere simply to build up the war chest before coming back to progress further along that long and windy road to the airlines.
Below, we hear from previous winners who are still hardballing their dream. They are upfront, focused, real and acknowledging the difficulties they are facing. Enjoy reading about their efforts and updates. You can read their backstories here - https://www.pauwelsflyingscholarship.co.nz/winners
The Nelson/Motueka branch of the family, left to right, Gemma, Alika, Melissa, John, Nixon Sion and Luka. May 2026.
Hamish (Hillmorton winner 2021)
I’ve been working full time to complete my self funding for my CPL out of Rangiora, and later my MEIR down in Invercargill. I need roughly twelve thousand dollars more for the CPL to finish it, and thirty-five thousand for the MEIR.
Making coffees at the airport has introduced me to many senior pilots at Air New Zealand, and even the odd Qantas or Emirates crew. It’s really nice to occasionally run into an instructor from throughout my training - now working regionals at the airlines! It shows me that persistence is the number one factor in whether or not you will end up where you want to.
My goals are still the same, and opportunity will continue to guide me towards them.
Ben (Special Award winner 2021)
Things have continued to go well at South Canterbury Aero Club and I’m now nearing 1,400 hours total time.
Since my last update, I have gained my Terrain and Weather Awareness (TAWA) Instructor privileges and completed my B-Category by Night Instructor rating, further expanding my instructional capabilities. I continue to instruct full time and have enjoyed helping more students progress through their training and achieve their aviation goals.
A highlight of the year was serving as Chief Air Judge for the Flying New Zealand National Competitions, which were hosted by our club in February. I also competed in the CPL Low Flying competition, achieving first equal place. Alongside flying and instructing, I have continued working through my ATPL studies and have successfully completed additional examination subjects.
Overall, it has been another busy and rewarding period, with a good balance of instructing, competition flying, and professional development. I’m looking forward to continuing to build experience and take on new challenges over the coming months.
Murphy
Murphy (Hillmorton winner 2022)
Murphy is working as ground staff for Southern Lakes Helicopters at Mt Cook.
Mostly, my flying now is both to build hours, and most importantly to remain proficient should an opportunity arise.
With the current fuel costs, the best way that I can see to manage this situation is to keep the frequency of my flying the same, while reducing the flight time that I'm paying for fuel. This seems to balance out the cost of flying while still remaining proficient.
Gemma (Special Award winner 2022)
Gemma is still working as a C-Cat Instructor at Nelson Aero Club.
There isn't too much that's changed since my last update. I've spent the last 6 months trying to do different things with instructing, such as getting cool ratings (eg. Piper Arrow). I have just recently achieved the night instructing rating, which I am looking forward to teaching.
Matthew (Special Award winner 2023)
Since passing my PPL in April, I've been working on getting type rated on as many aircraft as possible, as well as starting the time building phase of my training. I have also started my instrument rating and expect to sit my MEIR later this year. I'm really enjoying my flying (when the weather is playing ball) and look forward to taking family and friends on trips around the country. Volunteer work with Coastguard and refereeing have kept me busy outside of flying, but I'm definitely grateful for where I'm at.
Alika (Special Award winner 2023)
Since my last update I have passed my Cross Country Flight Test and been hour building to 50 PIC cross country to get ready for my MEIR at the end of the year. I’m currently in theory and have passed BGT, and hopefully by the time this update has been posted, my IFR exams as well. Luckily, I get a well needed 2 week break before it gets real with my CPL flight test in August which has come around so fast! I’ve also been lucky enough to start my night flying earlier than planned, so in daylight savings I won’t have so many late nights, thankfully! A highlight over the past 6 months was definitely being able to fly myself home for a weekend :)
Abi (Special Award winner 2023)
I don't have much in the way of an update unfortunately. I'm still flying whenever I'm able and continuing to build hours, while actively looking for that first flying job!
I'd originally hoped to do a Flight Instructor rating, however the cost is quite prohibitive, so for now I'm focusing on working, saving, and putting myself in a position where I can hopefully pursue it in future.
One positive development is that my Australian licence has arrived! I'm hopeful that it will open up some more opportunities.
To be completely honest, I've found this stage of my journey more challenging than I expected. I understand that most pilots face similar challenges at this stage in their careers, but the constant rejections and lack of flying have been more disheartening than I was prepared for, so it's been difficult at times to remain positive when progress feels slow and opportunities seem limited. Another fun life lesson in resilience! But I'm still trying, building experience wherever I can, and staying ready for the right opportunity when it comes along - which will hopefully be soon!!
Dilan
Dilan (Special Award Winner 2024)
The start of 2026 has been all about preparing for the next step in my aviation career and working towards finding my first flying job.
Over the past few months, I’ve been sending out resumes and travelling around much of the South Island, introducing myself to operators and looking for opportunities within the industry. It’s been a great experience, giving me the chance to meet new people, make connections, and learn more about the different pathways available in New Zealand aviation.
One of the highlights so far has been being selected for the June intake of the C-CAT course at IAANZ. To prepare for the course, I’ve been focused on building hours towards the 150 hour PIC requirement and taking every opportunity I can to get into the air.
At the same time, I’ve been working through my ATPL theory exams. Over the past few months, I’ve completed all but one subject, with only ATPL Air Law remaining. My goal is to have that finished before starting the C-CAT course.
The course begins on 29 June, which also happens to be my birthday, so it feels like a pretty special way to celebrate another milestone in my aviation journey.
It’s been another busy period, balancing study, hour building, and preparing for the C-CAT course, but I’ve enjoyed every part of it. While the job search continues, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and looking forward to seeing where this next chapter takes me.
Twilight (Special Award winner 2024)
I am really proud to share that I have now gained my restricted PPL. I still have my cross-country phase to complete next, and I feel confident that I will get there soon once I have saved enough to finish the remaining flying.
After working in a bespoke jewellery boutique and on a golf course while saving to continue my training, reaching this stage feels like a significant accomplishment. It has taken far longer than I planned, but I have grown a great deal through the process. I have learned patience, resilience, how to keep moving forward when things do not happen in a straight line, and how much I still love aviation.
I am truly grateful for the scholarship and the belief you showed in me. Even when progress felt slow, your support helped me keep going and reminded me that others believed in my aviation journey too.
One unexpected part of this experience is that my younger brother and sister have also become inspired to pursue flying. Because of everything I have learned, including the challenges along the way, I have been able to guide them and help them make decisions that will hopefully make their own journeys a little smoother.
Rocky
Rocky (Special Award winner 2025)
I have just recently completed my studies at IAANZ and finished writing my CV. It is a huge relief that flight school is all over, but now I enter that hard part - landing a job. I will explore the opportunities available, but it will be a challenging journey. There is a decent chance that I will extend my qualifications with a C category instructor rating after saving enough money down the line.
Carly (Special Award winner 2025)
I passed my CPL Cross Country Flight Test! - first attempt. It took 11 days to get in the air after I started the groundwork portion due to weather and booking availability.
Next steps now include getting a type rating in a PA28 (Warrior) for night flying, as well as hour building. I am currently studying IF Navaids and have IF Navigation, IF Law and BGT papers to complete.
Nixon Sion (Special Award winner 2025)
I have now officially been a student at NAC for four months. Yay! It's been an incredibly intense and challenging four months, needless to say! I've made great friends, consumed way too much coffee to survive the cold, early mornings, and confirmed that Nelson-Tasman is really a beautiful place to be flying.
During this time, I managed to complete my CPL theory exams while continuing to work full-time as a Chef de Partie and barman at a local brewery. It has easily been one of the most demanding chapters of my life, but pushing through it has been incredibly rewarding. Right now, I am in the midst of finishing up my PPL cross-country flying, with my flight test coming up in the next few weeks. From there, I’ll be diving straight into the bulk of my CPL flying hours leading into November.
Luka (Special Award winner 2025)
I got my PPL in December of last year, in January I went back to the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying school as assistant flight leader and I have been at Nelson Aviation College doing my CPL, BGT and IFR theory since February. So, it has been pretty full on at school.
I've been doing some fun things on the side, I flew on the Air NZ ATR 72 simulator, volunteered at Warbirds over Wanaka, competed at the NZAWA Hawkes Bay rally and kept flying at the Motueka Aero Club on weekends.
In my free time I've been working at my local pub and riding my motorcycle with friends.
I'm looking forward to start flying again with the college in July and seeing more of scenic NZ on my cross countries.
Monty
Monty (Hillmorton winner 2025)
In March I got my manual restricted driver’s license.
I haven't been flying in a while as I've been focusing on level 2 at school which is definitely a lot of work! I've also taken lots of extra shifts at my part time job, saving towards IAANZ.
I've been a part of the Aviation Gateway programme, through my school, and looking forward to the trips next term! I've been enjoying, and completing, the assessments that come with it for some bonus credits! One of the talks was with an ex-airforce, current Air New Zealand 787 first officer, and a current Airforce pilot which changed my perspective on pathways that I could take, and some realities of flying long haul for an airline!
I went on a trip to Loburn Abbey airfield with some Young Eagles, flying up from West Melton in a Cessna 182 Skylane which was a wonderfully smooth and comfortable little plane! We spent some time looking through the hanger and watching some aerobatics, before flying back to West Melton in the afternoon.
That’s about as much as I have to update, I’m hoping in the near future I’ll be back up flying once school is a little less intense - hopefully these upcoming term holidays!
Aren’t they a lovely bunch?! John and I are proud of every one of them. With 19 winners of the scholarships, since 2018, three quarters are still actively moving forward towards their goal.
We’ll give another update at the end of the year 👍
P.S…
We’re often asked about how Anaru is getting on. Anaru was the young man who inspired us to create the Special Award, and those who have followed his story know that despite the best interventions of many people, including his one time employer, Air New Zealand, he was unable to secure a Class 1 medical - at this stage until he’s 35!
We met with Anaru in May as we toured through the Marlborough Sounds. We had dinner in Picton together. He is doing fabulously well with the RNZAF and is based in Blenheim. Channeling the look of Tom Selleck’s Magnum P I, he is loving his life there and is powering through all his study in avionics. We’re hoping to run an update from him sometime soon.
