NZALPA’s Principal Officers
go into the spotlight.
ANDREW RIDLING
– President
What is NZALPA’s greatest
achievement in its 75 years?
NZALPA’s greatest achievement is
that NZALPA has arguably become
the strongest union in New Zealand.
We collectively cover 90 per cent of all
commercial pilots and 100 per cent of
the ATCs.
What is the biggest challenge facing
pilots/air traffic controllers in 2020?
The greatest challenge to NZALPA
is ourselves. We are very successful
– we need to remain a member-led,
member-driven organisation. NZALPA
needs to remain owned and operated
by its members for its members.
What change would you most like to
see in New Zealand aviation in 2020?
I would like to see a much greater
level of consultation between the
operators and the users within our
industry. I would like to see a greater
understanding by industry players
and the regulators that NZALPA is
the voice of aviation – our greatest
objective will always be the safety of
our members and the traveling public.
What keeps you awake at night?
I am comfortable that our industry
is in good hands with the levels of
professionalism demanded and
displayed by our members. As long
as these levels remain at these high
standards I sleep comfortably.
What is your ideal summer holiday?
To be at the beach fishing.
KIM GEORGE
– Vice President
What is NZALPA’s greatest
achievement in its 75 years?
A very difficult question as I believe
achievements can result from failures.
For me some highs and lows:
• The Erebus fallout (before I
joined Air New Zealand), Justice
Mahon’s report overturning
Chippendales pilot’s error report
and NZALPA’s involvement.
• In 1983, the National Government
of the day introduced voluntary
unionism. In the following year the
newly elected Labour Government
introduced legislation restoring
compulsory unionism, the
Industrial Relations Amendment
Act 1985, which finally took effect
on 1st July 1985 – the year I joined
NZALPA and Air New Zealand.
These developments crystallised
the arguments both for and against
compulsory union membership
and the debate was extended with
the introduction of the draft Bill of
Rights, which provided for freedom
of associations.
• The 90s break-away of the
Federation pilots and the turmoil
created by this.
• The stagnation of membership
numbers through the end of the
century into 2000.
• The Ansett debacle and meetings
of pilots and walk-outs.
• The near collapse of Air New
Zealand.
• The law-changes around cockpit
voice recorders.
• The Wellington Airport RESA
(runway end safety area) court
case win.
• Recently the offer of help and
expertise, by NZALPA, to assist the
Civil Aviation Authority in the wake
of its internal bullying problems.
• And finally I believe a real
achievement is the ability to
leverage the communication
channels available to us and the
sophistication of our internal IT
systems – the ability to reach
out and communicate with every
NZALPA member instantly, no
matter where they are, be it in
Timbuktu, in a cockpit on the way
to Chicago or over the Atlantic via
our communications network.
What is the biggest challenge facing
pilots/air traffic controllers in 2020?
• Drones.
• Laser strikes.
• ATC controller shortages.
• Ultra-long-haul flight rules with
new destinations.
• New aircraft introductions and
problems associated with aircraft
makers cutting corners. B737 max.
What change would you most like to
see in New Zealand aviation in 2020?
Better legislation against laser and
drone use.
What keeps you awake at night?
Absolutely nothing.
What is your ideal summer holiday?
Boating/fishing in the Hauraki Gulf
or mountain biking the many trails
across NZ.
TIM ROBINSON
– IFALPA Director
What is NZALPA’s greatest
achievement in its 75 years?
Growing and having worked to
become NZ’s leading and most
respected aviation industry union.
What is the biggest challenge facing
pilots/air traffic controllers in 2020?
Uncertainty in the industry as economic
conditions and growth slows.
What change would you most like to
see in New Zealand aviation in 2020?
Better collaboration and co-ordination
between NZALPA/Government/
regulator and aviation employers
to work through the most pressing
issues facing the industry.
What keeps you awake at night?
Fifteen years as an NZALPA Principal
Officer means that very little keeps
me up at night, from an NZALPA
perspective. It’s more likely to be a
bad back or an early flying duty start!
What is your ideal summer holiday?
Relaxing at the beach in the sunny
weather with the mobile phone off.
ANDY PENDER – Medical
and Welfare Director
What is NZALPA’s greatest
achievement in its 75 years?
Making it to 75 years. This milestone
can’t be taken for granted. Numerous
external factors and events would
have risked derailing less bolstered
organisations, but thanks to our
representatives and members (past
and present) resilience and foresight
we are closing in on a historic birthday
which deserves to be celebrated.
What is the biggest challenge facing
pilots/air traffic controllers in 2020?
Non-collective mindsets.
What change would you most like to
see in New Zealand aviation in 2020?
A greater understanding among
our GA membership of the support
available to them from the NZALPA
Medical and Welfare team.
What keeps you awake at night?
Members who are struggling with
mental health challenges, caught in
the dark fearing what the road would
look like should they raise their hand.
What is your ideal summer holiday?
Parked up at John’s Creek on the shores
of Lake Hawea (Central Otago) out of
cell phone reception, swatting sandflies
and barbecuing with my family.
HUGH FARIS
– Technical Director
What is NZALPA’s greatest
achievement in its 75 years?
Protection of cockpit voice recordings
in the TAIC Act.
What is the biggest challenge facing
pilots/air traffic controllers in 2020?
Integration of drones/RPAS into
Airways system.
What change would you most like to
see in New Zealand aviation in 2020?
I would like to see a greater focus on
safety as opposed to corporate profits.
What keeps you awake at night?
The economic race to the bottom
where there is a detrimental impact
on safety. See 737 max issue.
What is your ideal summer holiday?
Being away on my boat with my family.
KELVIN VERCOE
– ATC Director
What is NZALPA’s greatest
achievement in its 75 years?
Welcoming air traffic controllers into
the union in 1989. This combination
of professionals is unique to New
Zealand. Many other air traffic control,
flight service and pilot organisations/
unions globally see the benefit of
having a fully integrated collaboration
of aviation sector professionals, but
are just unable to make it happen for
various reasons.
A prime example of the value of this
relationship is the recent NZALPA
Safety Bulletins issued regarding
Wellington instrument approaches
and missed approaches, and apron
movements. These were very well
received as NZALPA taking the lead on
safety matters that affect many of its
members on both sides of the radio.
What is the biggest challenge facing
pilots/air traffic controllers in 2020?
For air traffic controllers and Flight
Service members it is rebuilding an
effective relationship with Airways. It
is still a big task, and I think I said the
same this time last year. We have had
successes with a very small number
of proactive and collaborative Airways
managers but we haven’t moved
forward like I’d hoped; and in some
respects we have regressed. That
said, I’m still going to continue trying.
What change would you most like to
see in New Zealand aviation in 2020?
I think it’s best to start small and work
on the improvements I’ve mentioned
in the previous question. Rest and
meal breaks for solo watch tower
controllers would be awesome too.
What keeps you awake at night?
Nothing. Lots. Depends on the night.
What is your ideal summer holiday?
Family, friends, laughter, good vibes,
lazy days, peace, love, kindness and
water sports with the sound of a two
stroke engine at full throttle – how’s
the serenity? So much serenity.
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