John Sinclair contracts to Navigatus as an auditor for the AIRCARE™ Programme. He has a lifetime in aviation after developing an interest in aviation at the age of 11 years. He learned to fly on paper run money initially then working at various menial jobs full-time to fund his Commercial Pilot Licence. After completing his flight training, John failed his medical because of a defect in one eye. He worked as an agent for a stock firm then in 1974 joined the aviation industry as a Rep for an aerial topdressing company that had just introduced helicopters. Notwithstanding the eye condition, John flew continuously from 1959 to 2008 – both fixed wing and rotary. In 1981 he formed Marlborough Helicopters and directed that until selling it to his staff in 2006. He continues working there in a minor capacity.
John has served 21 years on various AIA committees and in 1996 drafted the accreditation program for agricultural operators. His voluntary service to the Aviation Industry was recognised in 2006 when he was awarded life membership of AIA. In 2007 John was invited back to AIA to fulfill the role of President. He retired from that position in 2010 to take up the role of Executive Officer for the NZ Helicopter Assn. Later he became the Executive Officer of NZ Agricultural Association as well. John gets a lot of pleasure out of helping others. He has been awarded both the Aviation NZ Individual Award for outstanding contribution and the NZAAA Award for the pursuit of operational excellence, the promotion of good practice standards and industry leadership in agricultural aviation. John’s passions are environmental safety, flight safety and motorcycling.
