Mark Reid says he will be forever indebted to the Rotorua Trust for helping to achieve his dream of becoming a professional pilot.
Mark received a Jean Batten Memorial Scholarship from the Trust in 2004, which he used to gain his instructor rating so he was able to work as an instructor in Hamilton for three years.
He joined Eagle Airways, part of the Air NZ Link group, and has worked his way up from First Officer to gain his Air Transport Pilot’s Licence and become a captain in 2010.
After flying Beech 1900D aircraft for Eagle Airways on domestic routes for five years, Mark headed off for time overseas for a year. On his return, he continued flying the Beech as a Captain and has compiled a total of 5000 flying hours.
Mark says his goal now is to step up to flying long-haul jet aircraft for Air New Zealand and he is on target to go to this next stage of
his career.
The scholarship was a big help in achieving his goal.
“Not having it wouldn’t have stopped me but it has made it easier and has fast-tracked what I have wanted to do in flying.”