About Us PilotBooks is the trading name of Aviation Theory Centre NZ Limited. ....
Walter Wagtendonk
When his Service contract finished, Wal and his family moved to Nelson where he joined the Nelson Aero Club staff, as manager at first, and later Chief Flight Instructor. In 1978, Wal and his wife Ann formed the Nelson Aviation College in Motueka (near Nelson), which grew into one of New Zealand's best known theory and flight training centres, and became the first "approved" school to conduct both fixed-wing and helicopter courses. Many experienced helicopter pilots currently flying in various parts of the world started their basic training under Wal's careful instruction. After their retirement in December 1990, Wal and Ann moved to the Bay of Plenty in the North Island. . Stewart Boys
He also held a number of command and staff appointments, notably as the CO of both 14 and 75 Squadrons RNZAF, as the OC of the Operational Wing and the Base Commander at Ohakea, as Commander New Zealand Force in South-east Asia, and finally as the AOC Operations Group. During his period at CFS, Stewart was responsible for writing the RNZAF's first flight instructors' handbook. Later, he attended a one-year aero-systems (technology) course with the Royal Air Force College at Manby. One of the few in the Service to gain an A1 QFI category, Stewart also has experience as an A category Civil flight instructor. John Wagtendonk
John has previously lectured in Aviation Law at the Nelson Aviation College, and currently has some responsibility for training new radar controllers. Jan Wagtendonk
Although she has always been more at ease outdoors in gumboots, she slips into her administrative role with commendable ease.
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Featured BooksVol 3: Weather to Fly (Meteorology)The Private Pilot Series - Volume 3, Weather to Fly This manual on meteorology is suitable for persons studying for the Private Pilot Licence. Vol 4: Flight Radio for PilotsThe Private Pilot Series - Volume 4, Flight Radio This manual covers the regulatory requirement for pilots to understand radio principles, transmission procedures and many other aspects associated with radio communications. In New Zealand the required qualification involves the successful passing of a written examination while in some other countries the Flight Radio Telephony Rating (FRTO) is issued following the examination. Vol 5: Air LawThe Private Pilot/Commercial Pilot Series - Volume 5, Air Law Air Law is a subject that revolves around a number of documents such as Civil Aviation Rules, the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), the Civil Aviation Act and a few other legislative documents. The syllabus for Air Law, and references to the applicable documents, can be found on the CAA web site http://www.caa.govt.nz/ Select A to Z Topics, scroll down to Advisory Circulars and select AC61.1-3 for the PPL and AC61.1-5 for the CPL. |
Walter J. ("Wal") Wagtendonk was born in The Netherlands in 1929 and emigrated to New Zealand at 20 years of age. Shortly after arrival he was selected for pilot training in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in which he served for 8 years, mainly on instructional duties. He retired from the Service as an A-2 instructor in 1960 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. 
Formerly Technical Director of Aviation Theory Centre (NZ) Ltd, and now a consultant to the company, Stewart retired from the RNZAF as an Air Commodore in 1991 on completion of 37 years service. His Air Force career included many years of operational experience in the Strike Role mainly flying Vampires, Venoms and Skyhawks and experience as a flight instructor at the Pilot Training Squadron, the Central Flying School and on operational units. 
Involved in aviation from an early age, John obtained his pilot's licence when he was 16. Becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 1978, he is now a highly experienced radar controller. 
PilotBooks administration is largely administered by Jan whose cheerful voice over the telephone is a frequent personal link between clients and the company. Jan has no practical aviation experience but is fully acquainted with the products sold by PilotBooks. Her initial administrative experience was gained when she was responsible for the smooth running of the Nelson Aviation College office in Motueka during the 1980s.