Already considered a ''master'' by his peers and the New Zealand aviation industry, Wanaka pilot Simon Spencer-Bower has been acclaimed internationally as one of the world's best helicopter flight instructors.
Mr Spencer-Bower (66) is the owner of Wanaka Helicopters and one of nine winners in this year's Helicopter Association International (HAI) Salute to Excellence Awards. The HAI represents the world's helicopter industry.
He was ''rapt'' to win the 2015 WA ''Dub'' Blessing Certified Flight Instructor of the Year Award, which will be presented to him at the HAI annual Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida, in early March.
''We've always strived to do the best job that is possible with our flight training out here, and for it to be recognised world-wide is pretty special,'' Mr Spencer-Bower said from his company's base at Wanaka Airport yesterday.
''It would be one of the biggest awards I've had. There's been a few national ones, but an international one's always very special. It's quite nice, really ... to be recognised for something like that - that you're pretty passionate about.''
Mr Spencer-Bower created the Advanced Helicopter Mountain Flying Course, the only mountain training course approved by New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
His instructing philosophy was to teach students beyond the bounds of the standard curriculum so they learned above-average flight skills, as well as good aeronautical decision-making skills.
''We wanted to go to an advanced standard because look at all our beautiful mountains around here - we can do that. And so we just created a course that was over and above what was normally taught anywhere else in the country.''
Respected Queenstown pilot and Lakes District Air Rescue Trust chairman Jules Tapper was taught to fly helicopters by Mr Spencer-Bower in the mid-1990s.
He rated his former instructor as ''undoubtedly one of the most proficient and experienced helicopter instructors in the world'', particularly with regard to his ''unique'' mountain flying and awareness techniques.
''In my over 54 years' direct involvement in flying fixed wing aircraft and helicopters I have yet to find a more practical and thorough teacher in the art of flying. He is a master,'' Mr Tapper said.
''He's one of these quiet achievers ... he's considered by his peers in New Zealand and by the department (CAA) here as being an exceptional instructor and quite obviously the word's got out internationally.''
Mr Spencer-Bower said Wanaka Helicopters recently gained Government approval to offer student loans to trainee pilots working towards a diploma in aviation.
As a result, student numbers would increase ''hugely'' at the Wanaka school, where - despite his new international honour - it would be business as usual.
''I'm still passionate about producing top-quality pilots so nothing will change.''
Simon Spencer-Bower
• Pilot since 1967, helicopter pilot since 1980, helicopter flight instructor since 1984.
• Nearly 21,000 flight hours.
• 12,500 hours helicopter dual flight instruction.
• Has trained nearly 600 pilots for private, commercial and instructor certificates.
• One of highest-time pilots of Robinson helicopters in the world, most training other pilots in the R22 model.
• Has clocked up more than 15,000 hours in the R22, R44, and R66.
• Awarded Director of Civil Aviation's Individual Award in 2002.
• Awarded Queen's Service Medal in 2009 for services to aviation.
• Awarded Captain Greg Vujcich Memorial Award by New Zealand Airline Pilots Association in 2009
