Wayne John van der Laan Aviation Autobiography
I was brought up on a family dry stock farm in the Bay of Plenty & later a dairy farm in the Waikato. As a child, I remember the sights & sounds of Fletchers topdressing my parent’s farm, and the excitement of watching them working. My first experiences were of local Bay of Plenty James Aviation pilots Dave Cohu & Derek Williams in the 1960s.
1973
At age 16, I began fixed wing flight training while at Te Awamutu College in the Waikato, thanks to a friend’s father who was a topdressing pilot. I was introduced to Malcolm Campbell at Eagle Flying Academy at Hamilton Rukuhia Airport. My first training flight began in February 1973. I worked on the family farm to pay for flying lessons.
1974
I began a 5-year aircraft engineering apprenticeship at James Aviation Ltd at Hamilton Airport.
1978
I transferred my apprenticeship to Wishart Helicopters 1978 Ltd, owned by the Alpine group at Hamilton airport, who undertook AG & Venison recovery.
I periodically filled in as a loader driver on weekends & evenings during my apprenticeship; this was my early introduction to the realities of Agricultural aviation… being slaves to the weather and the unusual work hours which go with the job, but all very exciting for me.
Completed Aeroplane & Helicopter PPL in 1979.
Completed apprenticeship in February 1979.
Worked with a Wishart’s venison recovery team in Taihape, which was an amazing adventure.
1980
Due to a major downturn in farming & forestry, I moved to Australia as an engineer for City & Country Helicopters, the Hiller Agents for Australia, working in bush camps supporting the mineral exploration industry. I was fortunate to get a lot of ferry flying towards my commercial hours.
1981
I returned to NZ to complete NZ CPL H & A at Nelson Aviation College in Motueka, then spent time as a loader driver at Wishart Helicopters in the Waikato.
Early 1980s
Back to Australia, completed Australian CPL (H) & PPL (A) and began cattle mustering for City & Country Helicopters with a Hiller 12E.
Mid 1980s
Clare and I started Helicopter Management Ltd in central Queensland, cattle mustering & feral animal control with a Hiller 12E.
Later in 1989, we began planning the sale of our mustering business and return to New Zealand. We spent time in Tasmania on Ag training & I completed an Australian Ag Rating prior to moving home to start up a Helicopter Management Ag operation in Te Awamutu, Waikato, with a Hiller 12E.
1993
We helped start-up Northland Helicopters Ltd in Whangarei with a Hiller 12E and later sold the business to Jay Bryant.
1990 – to present
We have operated Helicopter Management Ltd in Te Awamutu, Waikato, on Part 137 Agricultural operations Spraying & Topdressing.
2023
I celebrated 50 years in aviation in February 2023 and have experienced total job satisfaction & met amazing people along the way. I appreciate my incredible wife and business partner Clare and my family’s support.
Also, I’ve received a huge amount of assistance, formed friendships & received mentoring along the journey. My passion has been training/supporting and mentoring 5 pilots and an aircraft engineer as part of our contribution back to our industry.
We appreciate our incredible team we work with every day.
Thanks and Regards,
Wayne and Clare van der Laan