NSAC Staff
The club is staffed by a professional, vibrant team who are passionate about your goals. The instructing team is made up of various graded instructors, from C to A, including flight examiners. So you can guarantee a high level of expertise.
North Shore Aero Club is governed by an executive committee. Our current President is Brent Hempel supported by our Vice President Douglas Kruger, Secretary Stef Gwilliam, Club Captain Christoph Berthoud and Committee Members Stephen Jones, Rob Fry, Ben Howard, Lance Hellyer.
If you would like to join our vibrant and diverse team please visit Careers at North Shore Aero Club Page for current openings or simply send your resume and a cover letter explaining why you’d be a great fit for our team to [email protected]
We look forward to flying high with you!
Management
John Punshon
General Manager
John Punshon
John is the General Manager of NSAC. He manages the club, airport and flying activities and is the CEO of our Part 141 certificated operations. In his own right, he is also an A-Cat Instructor and Flight Examiner.
Daryl Gillett
Chief Flying Instructor
Daryl Gillett
Daryl is an A-Cat Flight Instructor and Flight Examiner. He has been with the club since 2005 and the CFI since 2008. Daryl is highly enthusiastic about delivering the highest quality flight training possible to our students and members whilst maintaining a safe and enjoyable learning environment. He is always approachable to discuss any aspects of your flight training here at NSAC.
Instructors
Paul Ryan
B-Cat, Deputy CFI, Student Liaison Officer
Paul Ryan
My adventure into aviation began way back in 2009 at Ardmore Flying School, where I obtained my PPL, CPL and MEIR. I came to NSAC in 2015 to obtain my C-Category Instructor rating and in 2018 I started working for the Club.
I quickly obtained my B-category Instructor privileges in early 2019 and haven’t looked back since.
Everybody starts their aviation adventure with a goal or target in mind, be it going solo to obtaining their PPL or even an Instructor rating of their own.
I have the privilege of being able to support and mentor people to realise these dreams. It is something I am extremely passionate and dedicated to and seeing people achieve their goals is always rewarding.
Tim Marshall
A-Cat/Safety manager/Ga Flight Examiner
Tim Marshall
Tim has been involved in the club for many years and in 2022 returned to a fulltime instructor position and to the role of Safety Manager for both NSAC, and the North Shore Airport.
Tim’s dad, Paul Marshall, was always passionate about aviation, and back in 1975 he moved Tim’s family to NZ so he could learn to fly. As young Tim and his brother Simon were strapped into the back of aeroplanes, enjoyed club dinners and participated in ‘Dawn Raids’
One of Tim’s other passions is ‘the underwater world’. He learnt to SCUBA dive as a teenager and became a dive Instructor when he was eighteen. After having worked in the NZ Dive Industry for a few years he headed off to Queensland and purchased a Dive Centre on the Great Barrier Reef. Tim still works part time in the Dive Industry as a PADI Instructor Examiner, a role that take him all over the Asia Pacific Region.
Working for PADI was great, I was able to travel all over South East Asia and the Pacific, got to go diving in some amazing places and met lots of interesting people from many different cultures.
Tim got back into flying seriously in 2004 completing his CPL, C Category and Multi Engine Instrument Rating here at North Shore. He started working at the Club in 2007.
Since then he became a B category Instructor, he did a stint flying PC12’s for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia and upon returning to NZ he became qualified as an ‘A’ Category Flight Instructor which now puts NSAC in the enviable position of having 3 A-Cats on staff.
Tim really enjoys teaching IFR, Multi Engine and is passionate about aerobatics, so on his days off you will often see him at the club still doing plenty of flying for fun.
Time enjoys teaching in general, but he really loves developing Instructors. Many years ago Tim was granted approval from the CAA to run Instructional Techniques Courses (ITC’s) for Flight Instructors. The course has become very popular with other many organizations choosing to have their instructors attend the NSAC Instructional Techniques Course including Air Chatham’s and Airworks.
Chantel Strooh
B-Cat
Chantel Strooh
Chantel used to be a full-time instructor but has reduced her hours due to a young family. She's certified to teach BMF and Aerobatics.
Dawson Boles
B-Cat
Dawson Boles
Dawson is a part time B-Cat instructor. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Dawson has a lot to offer those with an appetite to learn.
Tegan Knightbridge
C-Cat
Tegan Knightbridge
Tegan is one of our young dedicated and knowledgeable instructors who is always ready to share her passion for aviation with future pilots.
We are happy to have Tegan as part of our esteemed group of flight instructors at North Shore Aero Club (NSAC), and we are confident that her experience, dedication, and enthusiasm will be invaluable assets to all who train under her guidance
Here is a bit of a back story from TK:
I started flying at NSAC in 2018, alongside studying Geophysics at the University of Auckland and competing internationally in Orienteering. I soon realised that I was more interested in flying than University so left after a semester and instead set my sights on a career in aviation. I gained my PPL after a couple of years, following this I wanted a change of scenery so enrolled at Nelson Aviation College and completed my CPL and MEIR during COVID-19 times. I then decided Auckland wasn’t as bad as I had previously thought and returned to NSAC, where I completed my C-Category Instructor Rating in October 2022. I really enjoy instructing here at NSAC, definitely cannot beat the view from the office!
Josh Jensen
C-Cat
Josh Jensen
Abigail Evans
C- Cat
Abigail Evans
Abi joined North Shore Aero Club back in July 2022 and with her wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience, she is ready to guide you on your own path to becoming a skilled and confident aviator. We are truly fortunate to have her expertise here with us today
Here is what Abi saying about herself:
I was a juggler of many hobbies at age 16. Competitive international roller skating, field hockey, drama and production, flying. Like most teenagers, these were generally short-lived. However, flying was one that I just could not shake. I started my aviation career at a young age out of the Wellington International Airport. I pride myself on my experiences of “adverse” weather and busy airspace at the start of my training and took this skillset to Nelson Aviation College where I completed a double Diploma of Aviation, in Airline Preparation and Flight Instruction. My qualifications gained me an instructing role back at my home of Wellington Aero Club and after a year had passed, I made the tough decision to become an Aucklander…
The benefit of this choice is that I am now part of a fantastic team, instructing here at North Shore Aero Club. I am looking forward to experiencing more of the adventures and thrills that flying has to offer as we both embark on this journey!
Brendon Sheehan
C- Cat
Brendon Sheehan
Always had an interest in planes, Flight Simulator and posters on the wall from a young age etc.
Kept flying part-time, gradually gaining Aerobatics and Night ratings, CPL, and Multi-Engine Instrument rating, all at north shore. Embarked on a C-Cat in 2019 as a new challenge, really enjoyed it and was provided with an opportunity to put it to work at NSAC at the start of 2021.
Currently instructing on the weekends, alongside my day job in Product Management and Pricing at New Zealand Post.
Highlights of instructing are supporting club members through their qualifications and seeing them progress towards their flying dreams; and getting the opportunity to work alongside an incredibly knowledgeable and accomplished instructing team – some of which have guided me through my own flying journey.
Most memorable flying moments are landing at Milford Sound and Stuart Island on club South Island trips, and test flying my father’s home-built RV9 after watching it be delivered to his garage as flat aluminium sheets a few years before.
Rhiannon Tarr
C- Cat
Rhiannon Tarr
Rhiannon embarked on her aviation journey at North Shore Aero Club back in 2020. It was here that she soared the skies solo for the first time. Following her passion, she transitioned to Nelson Aviation College, where she further honed her skills and obtained a Diploma in Aviation, specializing in Flight Instruction.
By 2023, Rhiannon's expertise brought her full circle, and she began her role as an instructor at NSAC, imparting her knowledge to aspiring pilots. When she's not soaring high in the skies, you can find Rhiannon embracing the great outdoors. She cherishes her moments on the beach and enjoys the thrill of hiking.
Angela Competente
C- Cat
Angela Competente
Admin
Tania Rameka
FInancIAL Administrator
Tania Rameka
Tania is a new addition to the team in 2021 and works in the account department.
Anton Ramenskiy
Marketing Manager & Events coordinator
Anton Ramenskiy
Anton is a new addition to the team in 2021 and works in marketing. You'll often see his smiling face around the club.
Tim Mahar
Airport Facilities Manager
Tim Mahar
Misha Underwood
Reception Administrator
Misha Underwood
Hi, my name is Misha, I work at reception at North Shore Aero Club.
I love meeting all our students who are so passionate about all things Aviation!
When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my beautiful crazy family, I also enjoy hiking and reading.
Jin Seo
Receptionist
Misha Underwood
