Meet The Team
Instructors
James Churchward
Chief Flight Instructor
A-Category
James is a A-Category instructor who initially started his flight training with Bay Flight International in Tauranga. James arrived at the Tauranga Aero Club as a C-Category instructor, completing his B-Cat with the club and later becoming the Chief Flying Instructor. He then went on the achieve his A-Cat.
Mandy de Beer
IFR Flight Instructor
B-Category & Multi-IFR
Mandy obtained her PPL at the age of 17 in Auckland. She completed her CPL, C-Cat Instructors and Multi-IFR Ratings at Southern Wings Invercargill. Before joining the team at Tauranga Aero Club, she was the Deputy CFI for the advanced IFR training at L3 Airline Academy. When she's not surfing in the clouds she's either surfing at the beach or on a hiking track.
Isaac O'Kell
Flight Instructor
C-Category
Isaac started flying at the Tauranga Aero Club at age 12 year as a Young Eagle. He has since completed his PPL, CPL, and C-Cat here at the club. During the summer months you can catch Isaac spearfishing or walking up the Mount.
Josh Smith
Flight Instructor
C-Category
Josh completed all of his training here at the aero club. His passions include planes, weather and fast cars. On the days you cant find him at the club you will find him at the gym doing what he does best.
Ramon Hägler
Flight Instructor
B-Category
Ramon started his training with us here at the Tauranga Aero Club. He then went on to join the Ardmore Flying School. After gaining his CPL & MEIR he came back to complete his C-Cat with the Aero Club and later join our team.
Harry Bickerton
Flight Instructor
C-Category
Harry started his training with us back in 2017 and completed his C-Cat here in 2019 and joined our team. He was once everyone's favourite newsletter writer, but now you will find him up in the skies following his dreams of flight instruction.
Ally Cooper
Flight Instructor
C-Category
Moving up from the south, Ally joined us for her CPL in early 2020. She then continued on to gain her C-Cat in December 2021. Ally has done a lot of her flying in the South Island and brings with her a passion for mountains, wilderness and clouds.
James Hunter
Flight Instructor
C-Category
James completed his PPL with us here back in 2018. After obtaining a Diploma in Aviation down in Nelson he then returned to complete his C-Cat in 2021. Although James spends some of his time at the club, when he's not you'll either find him on the golfing greens or at the beach.
Committee
Dale Radford
Club Captain
Dale is our Club Captain. Behind the scenes Dale works hard to plan out the club competitions and get our team ready for regional and national comps. He owns a Cessna 180 which he flies with his PPL.
Janelle Mark
Young Eagles Coordinator
Janelle works along side Sky to organise our exciting Young Eagles meetings. Her son is also a member of Young Eagles and has a strong passion for aviation.
Bruce Johnston
Health & Safety Officer
Bruce has spent many years in aviation, flying in the Air Force and airlines. He's even flown the queen of the skies, the Boeing 747. He looks after our safety here at the club. Be sure to catch him at the bar on Friday night for a drink and a great story.
James Churchward
Chief Flight Instructor
James is a B-Category instructor who initially started his flight training with Bay Flight International in Tauranga. James arrived at the Tauranga Aero Club as a C-Category instructor, completing his B-Cat with the club and later becoming the Chief Flying Instructor.
Sky Davies
Young Eagles Coordinator
Sky started out as a Young Eagle and has gained her PPL and CPL here at the club. Recently she also completed her C-Cat with us. She now works closely with Janelle to organise the Young Eagles meetings and share her knowledge to the new generation of Young Eagles.
Mitchell Kiernan
Deputy Club Captain
Mitchell started flying with the club gaining his PPL and is now working towards a CPL. You'll catch him behind the bar on a Friday night and also working alongside Dale as Deputy Club Captain.
Sky Davies
Flight Instructor
C-Category
Sky started out at the club as a Young Eagle. During her time at the club, Sky gained her PPL, CPL and she then completed her C-Cat to join us as an instructor. She also works closely with Janelle to organise the Young Eagles meetings and share her knowledge with the new generation of Young Eagles.
Tom Shaw
Flight Instructor
C-Category
Tom started at the club as a Young Eagle and continued on to complete his PPL. He then moved to Nelson to obtain a Diploma in Aviation before returning to the club to complete a C-cat. Outside of flying, Tom likes to take photos at the top of the Mount for his Instagram.
Andre Griffin
Flight Instructor
C-Category
Andre completed his C-Cat training with us in 2021. You will find him in the skies regularly doing spins and loops as he is an aerobatics lover! On his days off Andre enjoys travelling around, seeing the beautiful sights NZ has to offer.
Martin Lobb
Club Treasurer
I am a late starter to aviation, having achieved my Microlight pilot’s licence in 2011. I own a RV7 aircraft and I have been a member of the Tauranga Aero Club since 2013. I hold a PPL.
Trish Stephens
Club Secretary
I joined the club in 1994. I started learning at Waihi Beach in 1995 and got my licence in April 1997 at age 50. We purchased the Cardinal in 1993, my RV6A in 2003 and sold our cub purchased in 1998 in 2005. I fly all of these planes and particularly enjoy aerobatics and formation flying. I have represented NZ three times in Australia flying 3 ship formation in Warriors. I regularly compete in the National Aerobatic championships. I joined the TAC committee in 1997.
Mark Williams
Club President
I joined the aero club in 2009 gaining my PPL in 2010 flying the 152’s & 172’s and I enjoy gliding. I have been the chairman of body corps and school board of trustees. I have been a business owner since the age of nineteen, employing up to fifty staff. I consulted to Fonterra Brands Ltd for seven years.