Ross Troughton
Ross is CEO and co-owns TNT Helicopters with his wife Yvette.
Ross has been flying helicopters for 28 years and is also a commercial airline pilot.
Ross holds:
– A and D category instructor ratings
– Flight Examiner GA
– Flight testing issue approvals for PPL, CPL, C and B Category instructor ratings and Part 135 flight crew checking
In his spare time Ross likes riding and racing motorbikes and racing sprint cars. He is a former NZ jet ski champion, former South Island Modified Speedway champion, former Nelson Sprintcar champion, and current South Island Masters Moto-x Champion. When he’s not burning fossil fuel Ross can be found spending time with his wife and four children.
Dave Sowman
Dave is Chief Flying Instructor.
Dave holds:
– A, D and E category instructor ratings
– Flight Examiner GA
– Flight testing issue approvals for PPL, CPL, C and B Category instructor ratings and Part 135 flight crew checking
– Agricultural Rating
Dave began his flying career 28 years ago, with the helicopter company that preceded TNT Helicopters. He has since worked as an instructor, sling pilot, check and training captain, agricultural pilot, and in firefighting and lifting throughout New Zealand and internationally. He spent six seasons in Antarctica supporting scientific research and has flown MIA Ops in Cambodia and Laos.
In 2011 Dave headed across to Penticton, Canada and completed the legendary Canadian Helicopters Advanced Mountain Flight Course. Summer 2018/19 Summer saw Dave complete his last of his “Ice” tours – the first to Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea (85 days) and the second to the Antarctic Peninsula and on to Punta Arenis, Chile (55 days).