Our organisation is a charitable trust. Our trustees have been chosen to reflect their deep understanding of aviation in New Zealand, their connection to General Aviation and to bring skills to the table which provide the right balance around the Trust’s board room table.
Louise Aubrey – Trustee
Lou has a professional background in the agricultural industry – focussed on the environment. She has community governance experience. She has been an active member of the General Aviation community since before she could walk. She is a mother of two busy children and cares passionately about the future of General Aviation in New Zealand. Lou is based in Wānaka.
Mandy Deans – Trustee
Mandy has a deep history with aviation in New Zealand, for 14 years being the full time event manager of the famous Warbirds Over Wanaka air show. She has strong connections within the industry and a detailed understanding of the opportunities and challenges of working within aviation in New Zealand. Mandy is also involved in Uplift in Kind – a charity which delivers awesome aviation experiences for those who are unwell or doing it tough.
Ian Sinclair – Trustee
Ian is on the executive of AOPA NZ, and is the organisation’s representative on the trust. Ian is a pilot, an aviation enthusiast and understands the aviation community very well. He has worked on many projects which benefit the General Aviation community in New Zealand, and is passionate about getting more people – including youth – into GA. He also brings IT systems expertise to the board, and frequently attends industry events.
Richard Bradley – Trustee
I am 77 years old and have been married to Wendy for 52 years. We have 2 children—son Duncan farming at Onga onga in Hawke’s Bay, where the family have lived since 1919 and daughter Liz who lives and works in Doha. I have farmed all my life—initially in partnership with my brother, then with Wendy. The majority of my business experience has been in the farming industry and I have a great appreciation of the importance of getting the right advice and not wasting money. I think this practise will fit very well with the AOPA NZ Trust while we gain the confidence of the members, the public and other supporters for fundraising.
My father was in the RNZAF during WW2 and I only ever heard him talk about his experience once, but I was always curious. I eventually applied for a flying scholarship at the Central Hawkes Bay aero club in 1974 and was fortunate to be awarded the first prize of $100. I learnt to fly in C152 ZK DMG that is now owned by Laurie Prouting and the rest is history.
I was privileged to be asked to be part of a syndicate that owned a 172 for 18 years from 1984 and that is when we joined AOPA NZ. Served on the committee after the late Barry Mabin for a few years and became the leader of a fantastic executive committee for three years during the very turbulent times of the pilots medical standards and judicial review. The highlight of our flying is trips round Australia in 2003 and 2005 of about 50 hours each time in hired C 182’s. I am no longer flying as PIC but still attend Flyins and the AGM each year and take a strong interest in AOPA NZ affairs. I look forward to contributing to the Trust guidance in the future.
