Hamilton Man Given Top Aviation Award

17 November 2008

Young Hamilton man, Joseph Lambert, is trained as an airline pilot with CTC Wings, was today awarded The Geoffrey Roberts Award by the New Zealand division of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

The award recognises an outstanding young person who has the firm intention of following a career in civil aviation in New Zealand. It includes a bursary payment of $1000.

The Society announced Mr Lambert had won the award in May this year and delivered his certificate, bursary and a keepsake medallion at a function at CTC's Crew Training Centre in Hamilton this evening.

Joseph is one of three Hamilton men who were the first New Zealanders to be accepted into the CTC Wings Commercial Pilot Programme when it was instigated in November 2006. He is now working with Eagle Air as a First Officer, based out of Gisborne.

Joseph was nominated for The Geoffrey Roberts Award by Head of Training for CTC Aviation Training, William Nicol, who is based at CTC's Crew Training Centre-Hamilton.

"Joseph Lambert came into the CTC Wings Commercial Pilot Programme straight out of school and, while being a rather young cadet, always showed a very professional attitude throughout his flight training.

"He has grown and developed into a mature, confident pilot. Joseph is enthusiastic, focused, studious and always up for a challenge. He sets himself very high standards and worked hard to achieve good results in all aspects of his training," says Mr Nicol.

In speaking about winning the award, Joseph says, "I was pretty surprised and excited. I wasn't even aware Mr Nicol had nominated me, so I was quite shocked when I received the news. I'm just really honoured."

Since starting the CTC Wings Commercial Pilot Programme, 28 New Zealanders have begun training at CTC's Crew Training Centre-Hamilton. Four have graduated and two have been employed with Eagle Air.

A total of 200 airline pilot cadets - the majority of UK origins - train at the centre each year.

ENDS

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