Mr Thelning (23), who has been appointed the North Otago Aero Club's new flying instructor, replaces Peter Marshall, who has held the position since 2001.
He first learned to fly at the club, under the tutelage of Mr Marshall, while a pupil at Waitaki Boys' High School.
He then attended Mainland Aviation College at Dunedin International Airport where he completed his commercial pilot's licence, gained flight experience and obtained a category B flying instructor rating.
He has also recently been flying a 750hp Cresco for a skydiving company in Queenstown.
The North Otago Aero Club operates a four-seat Cessna 172 from Oamaru Airport, mainly undertaking flight training but also some charters and scenic flights.
Mr Thelning, who also works as a lifeguard at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre, wanted to build up the club's membership base and get "more people in the air".
One of the most common misconceptions was that older people could not learn to fly, but it was never too late, he said.
The Oamaru Airport was a fantastic facility with quiet airspace, meaning there was no time wasted waiting for air traffic.
