About
Aviation (Manned and Unmanned)
Watson Air
rick.watsonair@xtra.co.nz
Summary
I am an experienced training and operations professional with a diverse background across aviation, workplace training, emergency services, logistics, management, customer service and professional communications.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong ability to take technical or complicated information and communicate it clearly and practically to different audiences. My experience includes classroom and practical instruction, competency assessment, training coordination, training material development, operational management, documentation and working within structured and safety-critical environments.
I have delivered technical training to a diverse range of clients, including military and government organisations in New Zealand and throughout the Pacific Islands. This required adapting training to different environments, organisational requirements, cultures and levels of experience.
I also served with Fire and Emergency New Zealand for more than 14 years. This experience developed strong skills in teamwork, emergency response, safety, risk awareness, communication and decision-making under pressure.
My approach to training is practical and learner-focused. I believe effective training should not simply deliver information — it should enable people to understand what they are doing, why they are doing it, and confidently apply that knowledge in the workplace.
My earlier career includes aviation instruction, aero club leadership, technical training, training operations, warehouse management, manufacturing, government customer service and professional broadcasting. This combination has given me a broad range of transferable skills and the ability to adapt quickly to new environments.
I am interested in opportunities where I can bring together my strengths in training, communication, technical understanding, assessment, operations, documentation, safety and process improvement.
Areas of particular interest include workplace learning, training and development, technical training, training coordination, competency assessment, technical documentation, quality assurance, operations and process improvement.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong ability to take technical or complicated information and communicate it clearly and practically to different audiences. My experience includes classroom and practical instruction, competency assessment, training coordination, training material development, operational management, documentation and working within structured and safety-critical environments.
I have delivered technical training to a diverse range of clients, including military and government organisations in New Zealand and throughout the Pacific Islands. This required adapting training to different environments, organisational requirements, cultures and levels of experience.
I also served with Fire and Emergency New Zealand for more than 14 years. This experience developed strong skills in teamwork, emergency response, safety, risk awareness, communication and decision-making under pressure.
My approach to training is practical and learner-focused. I believe effective training should not simply deliver information — it should enable people to understand what they are doing, why they are doing it, and confidently apply that knowledge in the workplace.
My earlier career includes aviation instruction, aero club leadership, technical training, training operations, warehouse management, manufacturing, government customer service and professional broadcasting. This combination has given me a broad range of transferable skills and the ability to adapt quickly to new environments.
I am interested in opportunities where I can bring together my strengths in training, communication, technical understanding, assessment, operations, documentation, safety and process improvement.
Areas of particular interest include workplace learning, training and development, technical training, training coordination, competency assessment, technical documentation, quality assurance, operations and process improvement.
Publications
Examining New Zealand Unmanned Aircraft Users’ Measures for Mitigating Operational Risks (In acknowledgements)
https://share.google/AS4Y8KXcnLAW3IciX
https://share.google/AS4Y8KXcnLAW3IciX
Qualifications
Instructional Techniques Course – Massey University School of Aviation (2020)
Successfully completed as the compulsory prerequisite for the issue of an Instructor Rating, in accordance with CAA AC-61-18 Appendix II.
Certificate of Competency – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Endorsed Multi-Rotor – Massey University School of Aviation (2020) – awarded under CAA Rule Part 141, Certificate TR32548.
Flight Instructor Rating – 24 June 2016
Flight Training Manawatū / NMIT – Flight Training, 2008–2009
Fire and Emergency New Zealand – Firefighter training and operational qualifications
Hauraki Aero Club – Flight Instructor and Club Captain
Successfully completed as the compulsory prerequisite for the issue of an Instructor Rating, in accordance with CAA AC-61-18 Appendix II.
Certificate of Competency – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Endorsed Multi-Rotor – Massey University School of Aviation (2020) – awarded under CAA Rule Part 141, Certificate TR32548.
Flight Instructor Rating – 24 June 2016
Flight Training Manawatū / NMIT – Flight Training, 2008–2009
Fire and Emergency New Zealand – Firefighter training and operational qualifications
Hauraki Aero Club – Flight Instructor and Club Captain
Work Experience
Massey University School of Aviation – RPAS Instructor | 2020–2024
Delivered classroom, practical and competency-based training. Developed and delivered training programmes and assessment activities and worked with civilian, government and military personnel. Delivered training to clients in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, adapting material and delivery to different levels of experience and organisational requirements.
FenixUAS – Training Operations Manager | 2024–November 2025
Managed and supported training operations, including programme coordination, training delivery, learner support, assessment, documentation and training material. Worked with government and military clients in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Hauraki Aero Club – Flight Instructor / Club Captain | 2016–2019
Provided practical flight instruction and learner development. As Club Captain, provided leadership and supported the operational activities of the club.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand – Firefighter | 10 May 2005–25 May 2019
More than 14 years' experience in emergency response, teamwork, safety, risk awareness, communication, leadership and operating effectively in challenging and high-pressure environments.
Farmers Trading Company – Dock Manager | 2013–2020
Managed warehouse/dock operations, staff, workflow and logistics, with responsibility for efficient and safe day-to-day operations.
MediaWorks – Operations Manager / Radio Announcer | 2011–2012
Operations management, communication, public presentation and stakeholder interaction.
Inland Revenue – Customer Service Specialist | 2010–2011
Worked within a government environment requiring accuracy, confidentiality, communication and adherence to established procedures.
The Radio Network – Classic Hits Breakfast Host | 1999–2005
Professional communication, interviewing, public presentation, community engagement and working with diverse audiences.
Toyota – Warehouse Pick/Packer & Forklift Operator | November 2025–Present
High-volume warehouse operations including picking, packing, forklift operation and use of multiple handheld scanning systems.
Delivered classroom, practical and competency-based training. Developed and delivered training programmes and assessment activities and worked with civilian, government and military personnel. Delivered training to clients in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, adapting material and delivery to different levels of experience and organisational requirements.
FenixUAS – Training Operations Manager | 2024–November 2025
Managed and supported training operations, including programme coordination, training delivery, learner support, assessment, documentation and training material. Worked with government and military clients in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Hauraki Aero Club – Flight Instructor / Club Captain | 2016–2019
Provided practical flight instruction and learner development. As Club Captain, provided leadership and supported the operational activities of the club.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand – Firefighter | 10 May 2005–25 May 2019
More than 14 years' experience in emergency response, teamwork, safety, risk awareness, communication, leadership and operating effectively in challenging and high-pressure environments.
Farmers Trading Company – Dock Manager | 2013–2020
Managed warehouse/dock operations, staff, workflow and logistics, with responsibility for efficient and safe day-to-day operations.
MediaWorks – Operations Manager / Radio Announcer | 2011–2012
Operations management, communication, public presentation and stakeholder interaction.
Inland Revenue – Customer Service Specialist | 2010–2011
Worked within a government environment requiring accuracy, confidentiality, communication and adherence to established procedures.
The Radio Network – Classic Hits Breakfast Host | 1999–2005
Professional communication, interviewing, public presentation, community engagement and working with diverse audiences.
Toyota – Warehouse Pick/Packer & Forklift Operator | November 2025–Present
High-volume warehouse operations including picking, packing, forklift operation and use of multiple handheld scanning systems.