Reuben Hansen - Chief Flying Instructor | B-Cat

Reuben joined the HBECAC team in early 2020. Reuben started flying regularly at the age of 15 at the Central Hawke’s Bay Aero Club.

Late 2020, at the age of 19, Reuben became the youngest B-Cat in New Zealand, and now holds the position of Chief Flight Instructor. He is type rated in over 20 aircraft types and has a keen interest in tail wheel and strip flying. Reuben holds a position on the Flying New Zealand Instructor Council.

Reuben is keen to address the current enthusiasm from club members that have expressed an interest in aerobatic experience.  He is actively following the appropriate processes required to make this available to interested members.

He gets the majority of the enjoyment out of his flying these days by leading a team of enthusiastic instructors and club members to achieve a common goal of which is well represented by our Mission Statement “TO PROMOTE AND FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT AND ENJOYMENT OF RECREATIONAL AVIATION”.

Reuben is a Flying NZ Pilot Proficiency Gold badge holder.

Liam Sutherland - Flying  Instructor  B-Cat

Liam Sutherland joined the instructing team in May 2020.

Liam's aviation journey started in 2013 with a Trial Flight for his 13th birthday. Catching the 'flying bug' he started his flight training in Auckland and gained his Private Pilot Licence at 17 Years old. Pursuing a career in aviation Liam moved to the Hawkes Bay in 2019 and completed a Diploma in Aviation with Air Hawkes Bay. Now a B-Category instructor Liam enjoys sharing his passion for flying while mentoring and encouraging students to reach their aviation ambitions. Liam has been actively involved with flying competitions over the years competing at national level in multiple events.

Some of Liam's favourite aviation activites include Streamer Cutting, Formation Flying and flying IFR.

Dhaval Gehlot - Flying  Instructor  C-Cat

Dhaval joined us as a club instructor in June 2021, and has been involved with the aero club since 2017. Dhaval has competed and judged at both regional and NZ national flying competitions.

Dhaval is sharing and expanding his passion for aviation through teaching our students and members as a C-Category instructor. He is always working on expanding himself as a pilot and looks forward to earning his aerobatic instructor rating.

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Dhaval is a Flying New Zealand Pilot Proficiency Gold badge holder.

Hamish Ross - Microlight Instructor

Mads Slivsgaard - Microlight Instructor

Club Patron

John Holland

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President

Bruce Govenlock

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Vice President

Pete Steers

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Treasure

Steve Shepherd

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Club Captain

Steve Algar

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Vice Club Captain

Thomas Hornblow

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Committee Members

Peter Holley

Hamish Ross

Joe Faram

Barry Atkinson

Steve Shepherd

Aerodrome Manager

Amanda Nicholson