Wings recipients ready for careers to take off

The School of Aviation’s Wings ceremonies take place as each cohort completes the flight-training component of the Bachelor of Aviation (BAv) degree. For most, getting their commercial pilot’s licence, or ‘Wings’, is just as significant as their graduation ceremony.

This year, 30 students received their wings.The group included one international student, Shagun Sharma, whose parents flew over from India to attend the ceremony.

The valedictory speech for the cohort was delivered by Isaac Leigh. In his speech, Isaac reflected on the many late nights and early mornings he and his fellow students have been through to get to this point.

“From those early days when our landings resembled roller coaster rides, to the first time we legally flew through clouds with finesse and confidence, we have come a long way. We’ve made it through gruelling flight exams that seemed to ask us questions from a parallel universe and we’ve experienced those awkward moments when plans or landings didn’t go exactly as planned. Let’s just say we’ve left a tire skid or two on several runways across New Zealand.”

Isaac also thanked the School’s flight instructors, maintenance and operations teams, lecturers, mentors, friends, family and academic faculty.

“Your endless commitment, airmanship, and passion has helped frame us into driven, skilled, professional pilots. We are infinitely grateful to you, and we hope that we have and will continue to make you proud.”

As well as students being given their wings, a number of special awards were presented at the ceremony.

William Brightwell was awarded the School of Aviation Outstanding Student Award. He says his interest in aviation comes from his father being a helicopter pilot and the stories he told. William initially wanted to join the Air Force but during his last year at secondary school he discovered Massey’s BAv programme.

He says he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time at Massey and is looking forward to getting further involved in aviation with Air Chathams and pursuing an instructors rating.

Several other students achieved special awards, including Benjamin Carlisle who received the Airways Corporation Academic Award for the highest grade-point average in the compulsory papers of the Air Transport Pilot major of the BAv.

Nina Devlin was awarded the Zonta Club of Manawatū Aviation Award in Honour of Amelia Earhart. This award recognises exceptional female aviation students who exhibit the key professional attributes of the BAv programme.

Other awardees were:

Micah Sullivan - Air New Zealand Flying Award
Seongsan Ko - Palmerston North Airport Professional Attributes Award
Steven Wollenweber - Fieldair Engineering Ltd Aviation Systems Award
Jim Chiang - Hugh Francis Navigation Award
Matthew Matthews - ASPEQ Flight Instruction Award
Josh Madgwick - Craig Merryweather Memorial Scholarship
Gregory Van Der Meulen - Beth Merryweather Award
Timothy McAlevey - Royal Aeronautical Society Bachelor of Aviation Management Trophy
Chloe Benadie and Eunseo Choi - Royal Aeronautical Society Shield.

The School’s BAv alumni now includes a second father and son combo. Alex Petrovich, who just received his wings, is the son of Andrey Petrovich who graduated with his BAv in 2007.

The guest speaker was Captain Christine Ody, who is the General Manager of Pilots at Air New Zealand.

Captain Ody has been in the aviation industry for more than 26 years and spoke about how a pilot’s journey is by no means a solo one, despite it seeming that way.

“It’s a pilot’s family and friends who play an integral role in their success. Whether it’s moving cities or postponing events, they will have to make sacrifices for you.

“This journey is not an easy one. It takes dogged persistence and sacrifice. When you get your first paid flying job, it’ll be a steep learning curve. I encourage you to lean into it.”

School of Aviation Chief Executive Officer Ashok Poduval ended the proceedings by imploring the students to stay motivated and continue their learning.

“It’s your commitment that has got you to this stage. I encourage you to remain prepared and stay connected to the aviation industry. Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.”