10 minutes with... Mike Foote, flying enthusiast

And finally...

TEN MINUTES WITH...

Mike Foote

We talk to Mike Foote, general manager of Hamilton-based Plumbing & Gas Works, about his love of flying.

AUTHOR: SAM DAY

When did you start flying? I was a late starter compared to most, but certainly not the latest. We have a member at my flying syndicate, Te Kowhai, who completed his first solo in his seventies. I began my Private Pilot’s License (PPL) training in 2019 when I was 42 and it took me just under 18 months to complete.

Why did you decide to learn?

I did a trial flight while on holiday in Northland. A year later, my wife bought me another trial flight in a 4-seater, so I could take my boys, Lachlan and Harrison, with me. They really enjoyed it, so I was motivated to complete the PPL training to see what it led to. Being a pilot has had a lot of similarities to running my plumbing business. You have the authority to choose the destination, the oversight of the processes, and the opportunity to direct the outcome.

And what keeps you doing it?

The best part for me has been sharing the experience with passengers, starting with my sons on that first flight. Most have never been in a small plane before. The script is similar every time. First flight they don’t say a word until after we land— then they can’t stop talking about it. The first few times I was worried that my passengers were too scared to talk, but they were just soaking in the experience. I get to share in their excitement each time, which is what makes it fun for me.

What do you fly?

The Te Kowhai syndicate owns two aircraft—a Cessna C172 and a Piper Cherokee PA28-235. I’ve flown all over the North Island and have used the aircraft to make site visits to our jobs that are further afield. I also use the opportunity to connect with my family. We like to fly to the beach for the sunshine when work, school and weather allow it.

What’s been your most memorable flying experience?

In 2021, I had the chance to participate in a charity event called the Poppy & Star Flight. This was a fundraiser for the RSA, calling for volunteer pilots to carry a knitted poppy and star on their flight sector to eventually finish at a concluding event. I relayed the poppy and star from Taupo to Te Kowhai. You can find out more about the Poppy & Star Flight at poppyflight.co.nz

What are your future goals?

I hope to start my Instrument Flight Rules training shortly, so I can fly above the weather and at night. This additional training will be greater than what I have already completed, so I’m very much still at the start of my journey.

Any advice for someone keen to learn?

Contact a local aeroclub—the majority offer trial flights—and see where it leads. It’s not as expensive as you might think!

Mike Foote by one of his flying syndicate’s planes.