When not flying he enjoys gigging with the local jazz band. Often recognised in public for his 2 seconds of screentime on the BBC television show, Top of the Lake. ID and licensing presented on request.
MEET OUR DEDICATED STAFF & PILOTS
JAMES STOKES
MANAGING DIRECTOR
As well as his role as a company pilot, James is the training captain at Glenorchy Air, helps with maintenance planning and is also our CAA flight examiner. James is passionate about all things aviation and can usually be found learning about, talking about or flying planes. When not at work he is exploring the South Island or at home spending time with his lovely wife Kirstin.
DAVE CROSS
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Dave is a local southern guy whose passion for aviation started as an aerial top dressing pilot for some time. He then moved onto the scenic flights industry as a line pilot and progressed onto a chief pilot. He is now Glenorchy Air's newest addition as Operations Manager.
JOE KIRBY
SALES MANAGER
Joe grew up just outside of London but decided to make the move over to New Zealand in Jan 2018 and landed in Queenstown in March. In winter you'll find him up the mountains and in summer playing frisbee golf! All year round he will be annoying colleagues with his terrible sense of humour.
MICHAELA JEWSON
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Michaela moved to Queenstown in 2017 having fallen in love with the mountains, the lakes, the coastline and the kiwi spirit whilst here on holiday. Her passion for aviation comes from time spent working for private jets and commercial airlines both on the ground and in the air in the UK. When she’s not at work she’ll likely be found out hiking or frequenting Perky’s floating bar.
JIM ROONEY
SENIOR PILOT
Jim's our American refugee. He came to NZ in 2005 and decided to stay. When asked about living in New Zealand, he jokes that "I came over for just a three month flying job... It's been a long three months".
WILL CLARK
SENIOR PILOT
Will is our Queenstown local and has been flying in the area since 2003 and will be happy to share his knowledge and local secrets.
LIAM ANDERSON
LINE PILOT
Originally from Motueka, Liam completed a Chemistry degree in Dunedin at Otago University before deciding flying was more his style. He became a flight instructor in Wanaka before joining the team here. In his spare time he enjoys all outdoor activities in particular white water kayaking.
LUKE PETRE
LINE PILOT
JACKSON BURDON
LINE PILOT
Jackson is originaly from Marlborough and has worked with Glenorchy Air since December 2018. Since the start of his aviation career Jackson has always enjoyed flying in the rugged wilderness of New Zealand's South Island. On his days off he can be found exploring and photographing the beauty of the local region.
REUBEN HORSLEY
OPERATIONS ASSISTANT
Reuben, originally from Auckland, comes to Glenorchy Air this season as our Operations Assistant and will be joining the flying staff this summer. He is a mechanic, specialising in Subarus, very handy in a mountain town!
DAN WHITMORE
LINE PILOT
After a flying trip down to Queenstown while Dan was still in flight school, he decided that this was the place to be. From 2011 Dan decided to make the dream a reality and started working towards flying for Glenorchy Air. Along the way he has ended up working as a flight instructor teaching Airline Cadets in the North Island, mountain flying in the South Island and even a bit of aerial photography in Australia before settling in Queenstown in 2014.
DOM ELLER
LINE PILOT
An aviation obsessive since an early age, Dom’s living his dream as a commercial fixed wing pilot in the place he’s called home since 1999. Days off find Dom flying any aircraft he can get his hands on or tinkering with an old bi plane he’s restoring.
