The flight training industry has swept all three categories of the Civil Aviation Authority’s annual safety awards.

Each year the Director of Civil Aviation confers a safety award on an individual and an organisation that has gone out of its way to do things the right way.
The awards recognise direct actions that have resulted in a greater level of aviation safety, and that have encouraged others to adopt a similar safety culture and philosophy.

Director of Civil Aviation Steve Douglas announced the winners at the Aviation Industry Association conference in Auckland on Friday night.
Nelson-based flight instructor Mark Woodhouse was awarded the CAA Flight Instructor award. Mark is a highly experienced instructor who has taught both civil and military flying on aeroplanes and helicopters, and on aircraft ranging from microlights to the Boeing 747. He is currently Chief Flight Instructor of the Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School, which provides a safety-based start to young pilots aged between 16 and 19 in an annual training camp based at Matamata.

In presenting the award, Director of Civil Aviation Steve Douglas said Mark was an excellent instructor role model for the entire aviation community.
“The culture that he encourages is made clear from his often-heard comment – ‘we don’t want to hurt anyone out there’,” Steve said.

The Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School is itself a recipient. The school has been awarded the 2007 Director of Civil Aviation safety award for an organisation.
Director Steve Douglas said no-one could have anticipated the effect the school, which has trained over 1400 students over the past 42 years, would have on the aviation industry.

“Many past students are now airline pilots flying for major airlines around the world; air force pilots; or members of one of the many aviation professions such as Air Traffic Control, Meteorology, or Aviation Engineering,” Steve said.

“The safety culture installed in them from their early days at Walsh is significant.”
A third member of the flight training industry has been awarded the 2007 Director of Civil Aviation safety award for an individual.

Penny Mackay, Chief Executive of Nelson Aviation College began her instructing career on gliders in the 1970s. She has gone on to head a demanding and busy organisation with a strong safety focus.

Steve Douglas said Penny had made an enormous contribution to aviation and aviation safety in New Zealand.

“She has demonstrated her belief in the principle of ‘giving something back to the industry’ with her flight training standards, and also as chair of the Aviation Industry Association’s Training Division, which has worked closely with the CAA on flight syllabus development.”

ENDS