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
CEO
John Punshon
John is the CEO of NSAC, North Shore Airport and Auckland International Pilot Academy. 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
Head of Operations, Head of Training, CFI
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.
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.
Brennan Bramwell
C-Cat
Brennan Bramwell
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Josh Jensen
C-Cat
Josh Jensen
Josh is a passionate flight instructor dedicated to teaching the next generation of pilots. With a love for all things aviation, Josh enjoys seeing his students develop as pilots and achieve their goals.Â
In addition to his instructional role, Josh is an adrenaline enthusiast with a love for aerobatics. He also enjoys the great outdoors and the challenge of cold water submersions. These adventurous pursuits reflect his dynamic personality and commitment to living life to the fullest.
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!
Tom Masters
C-Cat
Tom Masters
Angela Competente
C- Cat
Angela Competente
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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.
James Bassett
C- Cat
James Bassett
I have been a member of NSAC since 2016 when I joined the ‘Young Eagles’ program in High School. This was a launch pad into aviation for me and since then I have progressed through my training including PPL, CPL and now an instructor, gaining my qualification in 2020 at NSAC.
In the last couple of years I’ve also had the chance to complete my taildragger rating and Glider tow rating which has opened the door to older types and different experiences such as farm airstrips and beach landings.
I have joined the team at NSAC in 2024 and look forward to making new connections with students and staff alike. Outside of my passion for aviation I like to explore creation via four-wheel drive, boat or a few days camping.
Admin
Tania Rameka
FInancIAL Administrator
Tania Rameka
Tania is a new addition to the team in 2021 and works in the account department.Â
Anton Ramenskiy
Marketing Manager & Events coordinator
Anton Ramenskiy
Born in the Far East Russia, Anton spent most of his adult years in Irkutsk—thus, considers himself a Siberian at heart. With a degree in Human Resources Management, although he had never worked in the field, he ventured into sales and marketing and built a successful career in it, both in Russia and NZ.
Eight years ago Anton moved to New Zealand. Here, he delved into marketing in international education for almost half a decade and continued to evolve in the marketing sphere—spanning event management, SMM, SEO, Market research, and beyond. And, in August 2022 he joined the NSAC team.
He adores diving (recently attained DiveMaster certification), especially exploring shipwrecks (with favorite underwater creatures being sharks and moray eels).
Additionally, he holds a 6th dan in karate, dabble in mixed martial arts, and currently pursuing a Private Pilot License. Traveling is another passion—with already more than 30 countries explored.
Joe Carter
Airport Facilities Manager
Joe Carter
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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.
 
