Aviators, alumni, enthusiasts and experts connected with the Massey University School of Aviation would get together in April to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the institution.
The School will mark the event with a two-day festivity, culminating at a gala dinner at the Palmerston North Convention Centre on April 21 under the theme, ‘25 years of producing “aviators with a difference.’
Aviation School chief executive Ashok Poduval said guests and visitors would have an opportunity to view the $8 million fleet of Diamond training aircraft at the Milson Flight Systems Centre in Palmerston North.
He said the 75th Anniversary of Royal New Zealand Air Force, the ‘Wings over Wanaka Air Show’ and our Silver Jubilee will make April the ‘Aviation Month of the Year’.
“We are extremely proud to have reached this milestone and even more proud of the achievements of our graduates who are employed in the industry all over the world.
“The school is focused on contributing to the future of aviation through excellence in aviation education, training and research,” Mr Poduval said.
In flying colours
According to him, aviation students of Massey are employed as pilots, air safety investigators, airport managers, flight dispatchers and airline managers.
“Air New Zealand recently chose the School of Aviation as a preferred training provider. Massey is making a global contribution from our base in New Zealand,” he said.
Mr Poduval, who has led the School since 2005, said the institution networks with individuals and organisations worldwide and that many of them would be represented at the celebrations in April.
Editor’s Note: His exclusive interview to Indian Newslink appeared in our October 15, 2006 edition.
The School of Aviation commenced in 1987 with 28 students and has grown from strength to strength over the years.
Advanced aircraft
The School purchased two twin-engine Diamond DA42 and 12 Diamond DA40 single-engine aircraft in 2009, enabling it to become the premier professional pilot training centre in New Zealand.
The first graduates to complete their training on these aircraft received their Wings in November 2011.
The aircraft, which replaced the Piper Warrior single engine and Piper Seneca
Twin-engine aircraft have state-of-the-art Garmin 1000 cockpit display systems to enhance safety and improve training quality.
“The Diamonds are technologically-advanced aircraft with digital instrumentation, moving map displays, terrain awareness warning and traffic avoidance systems. They are also fitted with Spidertracks, a device developed with the aid of Massey University mechatronics graduate James McCarthy that enables real-time tracking of the aircraft position from the flight operations centre,” Mr Poduval said.
The School currently has 326 students pursuing their Bachelor of Aviation Management course, while 130 students are studying to quality for Bachelor of Aviation degree (Air Transport Pilot).
“We have 37 students in postgraduate degree courses and six working towards their doctorates. Our school is one of the few tertiary education institutions in the world that provides professional training for pilots embedded in University accredited academic qualifications,” Mr Poduval said.
For further information and boarding cards, email aviation@massey.ac.nz
