Paul Kearney Elected to Aviation Community Advisory Group

Paul was one of six candidates nominated for the position, and secured his appointment through a majority vote from members of the aviation community.

"I'm honoured to have been elected to the Aviation Community Advisory Group," said Paul. "It's a privilege to work alongside fellow members to ensure the wider aviation community has a strong voice in helping to shape aviation safety and rule-making."

Deep Sector Knowledge and Proven Leadership

Paul brings over 30 years of general aviation experience to ACAG, with extensive expertise in flight training, flight examining, and regulatory compliance. At Aspeq, he manages the Flight Examiner Team, ensuring full compliance with CAA regulatory and safety frameworks.

His contributions to the aviation sector are significant. Paul has actively collaborated with the CAA on pilot licensing rule updates, led the NSS PBN rollout to integrate performance-based navigation into flight training, and championed the adoption of digital flight deck technology and Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) in ab-initio training. He was also instrumental in driving the industry-led CFZ proposals.

Paul's commitment to aviation excellence has been recognised with awards from both the Director of CAA and NZALPA. He has led high-performing teams at Massey University School of Aviation and regularly presents at national and international aviation seminars.

Making a Difference for New Zealand Aviation

The Aviation Community Advisory Group plays a vital role in shaping the future of aviation in New Zealand, providing industry insight and expertise to support aviation safety and regulatory development.

Paul's regulatory interpretation skills, technical expertise, leadership experience, and passion for industry collaboration make him an ideal representative for the sector. His appointment ensures that practical, operational perspectives will continue to inform aviation policy and standards development.

Congratulations, Paul, on this well-deserved appointment. We're proud to have you representing Aspeq and the wider aviation community in this important role.