Low flyer wins top prize at NZ aviation awards

Low flyer wins top prize at NZ aviation awards

The business is usually flying close to the ground. But this week, top dressing firm Ravensdown Aerowork was the high flyer when it took out the prestigious ServiceIQ Award for Excellence in Training at the Aviation Industry Association Awards in Queenstown.

ServiceIQ Sector Advisor Gary Scrafton, says the Wanganui-based aviation firm places a strong emphasis on its people, ensuring that they have the skills they need to do both a great job in the air, and to provide customers with top-class service.

He says: “Ravensdown Aerowork is truly deserving of this award. Training is a strong part of the Aerowork ethos, and it’s one of the key factors in its continued success. The company has created a supportive environment where staff can fully develop their careers, through on-job apprenticeships to graduating with a nationally recognised diploma.”

ServiceIQ is the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) for the service industry, which includes aviation. Working with industry, it sets the qualification standards, develops the training programmes, and recognises outstanding achievement in world-class service among the sectors it serves.

Ravensdown Aerowork specialises in all aspects of aerial applications such as fertiliser spreading and agricultural spraying.

It supports New Zealand’s critical agriculture industry by fertilising farmland and helping to deliver high yields from often challenging and remote countryside in the King Country, Taihape and Wanganui regions.

Its aerial topdressing pilots operate four helicopters as well as fixed wing aircraft that work across much of the North Island and the upper South Island.

Accepting the award on behalf of Ravensdown Aerowork was Operations manager Rick Harding and engineering manager Chris Smith. Smith thanked ServiceIQ for its support, which has enabled more of its trainees to gain further qualification in aviation engineering.

ENDS

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