Recipient of the Director’s Award from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand: Don McCracken

[section]

The AIANZ Awards Gala Dinner was held last night, and we are proud to announce the recipient of the Director’s Award from the CAA for 2025 – Don McCracken.

The Award recognises his sustained commitment to maintaining and improving aviation safety, not only in his own organisations over the years, but for the benefit of the wider aviation community.

Chief Executive and Director of the CAA Kane Patena said Don’s leadership has strengthened the sector for more than three decades.

“Don has shaped New Zealand’s aviation landscape through senior roles at Oceania Aviation, Flightline Aviation, The Vintage Aviator, and now Aerosafe,” Patena said. “He has consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to safety and sustainability across both fixed-wing and rotary aviation.”

As Chair of the Aircraft Engineering Association of New Zealand, Don has been instrumental in building training pathways for engineers, and more recently championed mental health initiatives, including industry-wide resilience workshops.

“By opening up conversations about wellbeing, Don has reminded us that safety depends not only on machines, but on the people who maintain them,” Patena said.

“His leadership and compassion are widely respected, and it is a privilege to recognise him with this award.”

Congratulations Don!

 

Text courtesy of the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. Read the CAA media release here.

[/section]