My Island Air and Motiti journey started in 2012. I had been volunteering part time sweeping the hangar and washing planes for Paul, then I obtained my commercial license and immediately started working for Paul as a Line Pilot. The training was exciting learning a new set of skills for strip flying in outback New Zealand.
Once approved to fly the Motiti route I was soon flying the mighty Cessna 206 which was a goal for me as a youngster. It was in that machine I really found out what I was good at and Paul shared with me a sense of pride in our work we did. He was, and is so passionate about Motiti and its people, this would brush off on myself and other pilots. I will always have fond memories of flying for Paul and the island, especially being able to go surfing on my lunch breaks!
Today I fly Dehavilland Beaver seaplanes in Hamilton Island Australia. The people skills and the hard work ethic that I learnt at Island Air still is with me to this day and I have enormous gratitude to Paul and his family, and the people of Motiti for making me who I am as a pilot and person.
By Dane Bendall
“I write for this magazine to let people know about the best little airline in Tauranga.”
