Capt. Greg Vujcich Memorial Award for Aviation Instruction

New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association

Media Release - For Immediate Release

22 June 2012

Capt. Greg Vujcich Memorial Award for Excellence in General Aviation Instruction

The New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) has awarded Mr Alfred Dennis (Jack) Mehlhopt from Timaru with the 2012 Greg Vujcich Memorial Award for Excellence in General Aviation Instruction. Jack Mehlhopt’s contribution to general aviation as a flying instructor and teacher of safety practices spans some 65 years. Jack received his award at a function in Auckland on 20 June 2012. He was a gracious and amusing recipient who entertained the assembled guests with many tales of his experiences.

Jack still holds a flying licence at the age of 83, and has played a major role in every facet of general aviation in South Canterbury and notably as a volunteer flying instructor, during which time he sent at least 300 students on their first solo. Jack joined the South Canterbury Aero Club Inc. (SCAC) in late 1947 after winning a flying scholarship from No. 15 Squadron of the Air Training Corps.

Jack maintained a keen and active interest in the Air Training Corps rising in 1962 to the position of officer commanding, a position he held for 20 years. After qualifying as a private pilot he began to contribute to the affairs and management of the aero club. (Throughout his career, several of Jack’s pupils have made their mark as air force officers, airline pilots, and flight instructors).

When the SCAC was experiencing financial difficulties in 1961 and could no longer afford to employ a full-time flying instructor, Mr Mehlhopt volunteered his part-time services at weekends. He also made major contributions as the club’s chief flying instructor - an unpaid role for held for nine years.

His voluntary work was without any doubt the club’s salvation and although Jack relinquished his CFI role with the aero club, he has continued to support the club.

Jack’s commitment was once again demonstrated just before the turn of the century, when a local Timaru group urged the formation of an Aviation Heritage Centre to promote South Canterbury’s long association with aviation. Jack took the helm and remained as leader for some years until the construction of a large hangar-museum was complete.

Once, when questioned “why do you do so much?” Jack said he had never forgotten the support he had received early on in his flying career, and believed he had a duty to make his own contribution. In the early 1970s he was honoured with club life membership and in 1996, he was honoured by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) with the award of its Air Sport Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to general aviation.

“Jack was the ideal candidate for the award. His dedication to training and development of young pilots throughout his long career is well known and admired by our members” says NZALPA President Glen Kenny.

ENDS

Background

After the sudden and tragic death in November 2007 of Greg Vujcich who was a well respected instructor and member, NZALPA has created this award to recognise the contribution that Captain Vujcich made to the organisation and to the industry.

Captain Vujcich was an Air New Zealand B747 Captain, and an instructor who had spent many years training pilots, passing on his knowledge in an enthusiastic, informative and enduring manner. The Association wanted to ensure that Greg's contribution to the industry and to the wider membership of NZALPA, is not forgotten, and to recognise other instructors who are worthy of receiving this award in future.

The Association will seek nominations from throughout the aviation community each year for the Award, which will then be presented to the Board of Management for consideration.

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