Category: Updates

Caleb is the recipient of a $10,000 Scholarship package, that includes helicopter training flights, industry networking, specialised ground training, mentoring and AOPA NZ member benefits.

Agricultural aviation runs in Caleb’s blood. Born and raised on a deer farm in Geraldine, South Canterbury, helicopters were a familiar sight that inspired his passion.

Those experiences led to work with Heliventures, as Ground Crew at their base in Oamaru. After three years in the industry, his employer has supported Caleb to work part time at their Twizel base, so he can attend flight training to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. “Pursuing a career as a helicopter pilot is not a cheap exercise,” says Caleb. “I’m incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship.”

Sponsored by the James Patterson Gardner Foundation, the scholarship funds five hours flight training time plus provides specialist helicopter underwater escape training, mentoring and networking opportunities. “The financial support, plus attending the Aviation Industry Association conference will accelerate my career,” says Caleb. “It will get me closer to my pilots licence and might unlock new opportunities with other organisations in the future.”

The James PG Foundation Charitable Trust was created to honour the memory of James Patterson-Gardener, who died tragically in a Robinson R44 helicopter crash in February 2015.  Louisa ‘Choppy’ Patterson, founder of the James PG Foundation, says their mission is to provide opportunities for promising young people who show the same values and personal qualities as James. “We’re delighted to award this Scholarship to Caleb,” says Louisa. “He’s a motivated and genuine young man, who we think will go far in New Zealand’s agricultural aviation sector.”

“We’re grateful for the support of the scholarship sponsors and delighted at the calibre of the winning candidates,” says Mandy Deans, Trust Chairman. As well as the financial benefit, the Trust will be inviting the winners and all the shortlisted applicants to join our Mentoring Scheme. “Linking aspiring pilots with highly experienced aviators will give them access to hard-won wisdom, plus strengthen connections and networks in our aviation sector.”

The Trust aims to continue with scholarships in future years, and welcomes potential sponsors to get in touch about collaborating.

Future scholarship applicants are invited to join the ThinkAviation newsletter to hear first-hand about future opportunities.

Tracey is the recipient of a $5,000 Scholarship package, which includes private pilot’s licence training flights, mentoring and AOPA NZ member benefits

Tracey fell in love with aviation in 2021, when she was gifted a trial flight by her daughter. “It’d taken her a while for her to save up pocket money, and she managed to cobble together the gift with contributions from other family and friends.”

Since then, Tracey has saved every spare dollar to pursue her aviation dreams, plus become fully involved with the Rotorua Aero Club and the Young Eagles youth aviation programme. As a fairly new member of the aviation community, her enthusiasm and motivation to give back is impressive. “I’m not planning a career in the Airlines. However, my aim is to eventually get a commercial pilots licence, so I can become an instructor and help others pursue their flying dreams. I’m ecstatic about being picked for the Scholarship.”

Scholarship sponsor Matt Vaughan, from PacAvia International Ltd, says his motivations were to assist someone who needed the help, and would stay and contribute to the local flying community. “It was wonderful to see how determined and passionate Tracey is about General Aviation and light aircraft flying,” says Matt. “Her natural ability to connect with and mentor young people shows that by supporting her, we’ll be lifting up many more Kiwi aviators in the future.”

“We’re grateful for the support of the scholarship sponsors and delighted at the calibre of the winning candidates,” says Mandy Deans, Trust Chairman. As well as the financial benefit, the Trust will be inviting the winners and all the shortlisted applicants to join our Mentoring Scheme. “Linking aspiring pilots with highly experienced aviators will give them access to hard-won wisdom, plus strengthen connections and networks in our aviation sector.”

The Trust aims to continue with scholarships in future years, and welcomes potential sponsors to get in touch about collaborating.

Future scholarship applicants are invited to join the ThinkAviation newsletter to hear first-hand about future opportunities.

Winner of the AOPA NZ Trust PPL Scholarship ($5000), is Nelson school pupil, Charlie Bryce, who works part-time to pay for his flying.  Involved with the Motueka Aero Club Young Eagles, he was taken on a few flights with other Aeroclub members. Soon after being awarded his scholarship, Charlie met with a flight instructor and an Air New Zealand pilot for career advice and mentoring.

His referees stated that “Charlie consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and seeks to be a positive role model to his peers. Charlie has many of the attributes needed to be a good pilot and the motivation to achieve this goal. Charlie is what I call a ‘thinking pilot.’  He uses his head to make clear judgements and is always critiquing his flying, trying to set a high standard.”

For the AOPA NZ February 2026 AGM, Charlie sent us through this video update of is progress – things are going well with another 10 hours of flying since his scholarship award.

He’s planning to start at Nelson Aero College at the end of August, for a Diploma in Aviation, with a focus on flight instruction.

The Trust has linked Charlie up with an Aviation mentor – which is proving a great opportunity for trusted guidance and encouragement along the way.

In March 2026, Charlie let us know that he’s also received a scholarship through his local Aeroclub at Motueka.

Winner of the 2025 AOPA NZ Trust CPL Scholarship ($7500) is Karen Dalldorf of Christchurch. 

Karen started her PPL at Bridge Pa – working full-time, studying and dealing with Covid lockdowns. A couple of weeks after gaining her PPL she represented the Club at the Flying New Zealand Cook Strait Regional Rally in Wanganui and her competition flying began.  She achieved a 1st in the Newman Cup for Female Precision Circuits and Landing and a 2nd in the Airwork Cup for PPL Low Flying. When she moved to Christchurch she joined the Canterbury Aero Club (CAC) and became part of their competition team, achieving a 1st in the Newman Cup at the Alpine Regional Rally in 2024, which meant a trip to Nationals in Hawkes Bay in 2025, where she gained 2nd place.

Karen was part of the West Melton team who won the CAC Inter-branch competition in 2025 and she was awarded the Aroha Clifford Memorial Cup by the CAC for Airmanship by a Woman Pilot. She was also awarded an Aspeq Scholarship for CPL exams by the NZ Airwomen’s Association.

Her referee stated:  “Karen has a high drive to achieve and a passion for aviation and goals and her love of flying and the aviation industry shines through in every aspect of her journey.  Her compassion, combined with her strong work ethic and ability to stay focussed under pressure, makes her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship, who, in my opinion, will become an inspirational role model and instructor in the future.”

In February 2026, Karen was back again at the Flying NZ Nationals, and scooped up a range of podium results. She placed  1st 🥇 in Newman Cup – Precision Circuits for Ladies, 2nd in Sir Francis Boys Wildcard – Precision Circuits and 3rd equal in Airwork Cup – PPL Low Flying.

Karen has shown excellent dedication to getting involved in the General Aviation community – no doubt many of you have met her at some recent fly-ins, as well as the AOPA NZ AGM, where she spoke briefly at the meeting:

“I’m honoured to have been chosen for the Scholarship. Its more than just financial support, its a vote of confidence in me and my future in aviation. I’m looking forward to working with the Trust to promote aviation as I work to gain my CPL and then my Instructor rating.”

She’s making great progress towards this goal, and has just passed her CPL Cross Country flight test. Karen has recently volunteered to be a classroom Aviation Ambassador – working with the Trust and the House of Science which provides a ‘Things with Wings’ aviation activity kit to primary schools.  She’s also been along to the Women in Aviation evening at Garden City Helicopters, promoting the Trust and her Scholarship to the attendees.

In June 2026, Karen attended the NZAWA – New Zealand Association of Women in Aviation Rally in Hawkes Bay, winning the Yvonne Loader Trophy for Instrument Flying and placed 3rd in the Winter Rose Bowl for Navigation Theory.

Her CPL is still progressing well, with the Cross Country and Instrument Flying requirements completed in May, and Navigation exams due in June.