Meet the Crew 

Evan Pearce - CEO

Our CEO, Evan Pearce flew Ski Planes for 5 years between 1995 and 2000 before entering the Airline Industry with Mount Cook Airline. From there Evan has been flying internationally on the Boeing 737NG. He also owns and operates an Aviation Safety Management Company, which focuses on
Safety Management and Accident Investigation and contracts throughout NZ and the South Pacific.
Evan has been working part time for Mount Cook Ski Planes for the past 10 years as Quality Assurance Manager and recently as CEO.

Wayne McMillan - Operations Manager/ Chief Pilot

Wayne has been flying fixed wing aircraft for more than forty years and has in excess of 8,700 flying hours. Wayne started his aviation career in the early 70’s in the agriculture industry as a loader/trainee agriculture pilot before starting with Mount Cook Ski Planes in 1979 where he is currently the Operations Manager.  Wayne has flown a range of aircraft; various Cessna’s, Pilatus Porters and the Grumman AA5. His duties include training manager, flight examiner and Operations Manager Aoraki Mount Cook airport for the  Aoraki Mount Cook Airport Company Ltd. The highlight of Wayne’s job is meeting people from various countries and being able to show them parts of our country that they wouldn’t be able to access otherwise and sharing their pleasure. It’s not just a job but a privilege to be able to do it.

Ross Anderson - Pilot

Ross started work as an apprentice joiner with Dunstan Timber and Joinery in Alexandra before joining Central Aviation Aerial Topdressing as a Loader Driver in 1980. Since 1983 Ross has been flying Cessnas and Pilatus Porters for Mount Cook Ski Planes taking scenic flights in the Mount Cook/Westland National Parks and has in excess of 6,000 flying hours; mostly in ski planes. The highlight of Ross’s job is working in the challenging environment of the mountains/glaciers and meeting our guests from all over the world and sharing our amazing scenery with them.

Ross is also a keen photographer and has contributed a lot of images to our website.   

 Mike Williams - Pilot

Mike has in excess of 5,000 flying hours.  He started out in aviation in 1993 taking passengers on scenic flights around Mount Cook/Westland National Parks.  Since September 1994 Mike has been flying Cessnas and Pilatus Porters for Mount Cook Ski Planes taking scenic flights in the Mount Cook/Westland National Parks and landing on some of the largest glaciers in the area.  The highlight of Mike's job is meeting people from all parts of the world and being able to share with them his love of the Southern Alps.  Previous to this Mike flew sky divers in the Mt Hutt area.

Mark Hayes - Helicopter Pilot

Mark has a total flying time 2500+ hours based in the Queenstown & Fiordland area. 

Mark has been involved in the venison recovery operations based in the Fiordland area. He has experience with Medivac and SAR (Search and Rescue) operations, coastal survey work with the Department of Conservation. Mark has extensive snow and flat light experience, Heliski operations, frost fighting and power line inspections. He also does scenic flights throughout the West Coast, Southern Lakes and Fiordland, in particular in Aoraki Mount Cook where Mark is currently based for much of his time.

Stephen Kemp - Station Engineer/Maintenance Controller

Steph started his engineering apprenticeship with Auster Air Services/Aerotech which he completed in 1975 with Airwork Christchurch specializing in engine overhaul. He has worked for numerous leading fixed wing and rotorcraft aviation companies gaining experience on Austers through to Chieftains (even 748’s) Hughes 500, Bell 206, 212, UHIH single and twin Squirrels through to Sikorski S64 heavy lift rotorcraft.  Steph first joined Mount Cook Airlines Ski Plane division as a lame in 1990 and gained his CAA Inspection Authority in 2003. He is currently Station Engineer/Maintenance Controller at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport. The highlight of Steph’s career has been working for Erickson Aircrane in Borneo and Sardinia between 2000-2002.

 Rodney Bloxham - Shuttle Transport Provider

The scenic flight experience with us will often begin with Rodney in one of his fleet of vehicles including a 44 seater coach and 10 seater Mercedes van.