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Supporting the Future of Aviation: Congratulations to the 2026 Flying New Zealand Young Eagles Scholarship winners!
December 16, 2025
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Nelson Aviation College is proud to announce another year of exceptional talent emerging from the Flying New Zealand Young Eagles programme. Following a rigorous selection process that highlighted the incredible standard of young aviators in New Zealand, the recipients of the 2026 scholarships have been confirmed.
We are delighted to stand alongside fellow industry leaders as sponsors of these prestigious awards. Each winner will receive $3,000 to support their flying training in 2026, providing a vital boost to their aviation journeys.
The Kirk Samuel Dakers Memorial Scholarship
This year, the Kirk Samuel Dakers Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Will Fairhall.
This scholarship holds a special place in the heart of Nelson Aviation College. Kirk Dakers was a beloved and enthusiastic instructor at NAC. To honour his enduring passion for aviation and instruction, this scholarship is awarded annually to a keen Young Eagle between the ages of 15 and 18.
Designed specifically to help a young student achieve their first solo flight, the scholarship ensures that Kirk’s legacy of mentorship continues to inspire new generations of pilots. We congratulate Will on this achievement and look forward to seeing his progress in the skies.
Funded solely by members, Federation of Air New Zealand Pilots (FANZP) have generously become a sponsor of Flying New Zealand and our work with supporting young people in aviation. Formed in 1990, FANZP is a union that represents the interests of Air New Zealand Pilots and Simulator Instructors. They support their members through negotiating collective employment agreements, protecting career opportunities and providing welfare benefits.
The Federation of Air New Zealand Pilots is very pleased to have the opportunity of partnering with Flying New Zealand to provide this scholarship. FANZP members donated these funds and called on their Union to support the next generation of pilots. We hope this scholarship will help Young Eagles achieve their goals and encourage everyone who is striving towards a flying career.
Offered for the first time in 2024, one $3000 scholarship will be awarded to the winning Young Eagle who has shown dedication and skilfulness through their training. This scholarship will help young eagles complete the more advance lessons in the training syllabus and instrument requirements of a Private Pilot's License.
Ross Macpherson Memorial Scholarship Winners
The competition for the Ross Macpherson Memorial Scholarships was fiercer than ever. With six judges scoring the applications, the results were incredibly close, leading to a unique four-way tie for the final three spots. Thanks to a generous anonymous donation received by Flying NZ, a seventh scholarship was added to accommodate the high calibre of talent.
Congratulations to the 2026 recipients:
- Max McAlister
- Oscar Lucioni
- Oscar Pearson
- Tristan Dyche
- Phoenix Tredrea
- Henry Sevier
- Olivia Lynch
A Commitment to the Future
The Young Eagles programme is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s aviation community. The Kirk Samuel Dakers Memorial Scholarship is highly competitive, limited to just one applicant per Aero Club each year. It serves as a testament to the dedication of these young individuals and the Aero Clubs that support them.
Nelson Aviation College remains committed to fostering the next generation of pilots. We extend our gratitude to the judges, the sponsors, and the Flying NZ executive team for their work in facilitating these opportunities.
To all the 2026 winners: Congratulations. We wish you clear skies and safe flying for the year ahead!
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