// Prestigious award for Air Force recipient
Squadron Leader Rankin (right) is presented with the Jean Batten Memorial Award (WN 09-0036-02tn).
1 December 2009
Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Squadron Leader Jim Rankin has been presented with the Jean Batten Memorial Award by the New Zealand region of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN).
The award, presented by Master of the Guild, Rear Admiral Colin Cooke-Priest CB FRAeS RN (Rtd) at the Guild’s annual dinner, recognises an outstanding individual contribution to New Zealand aviation.
The citation for SQNLDR Rankin, who joined the RNZAF in 1978, said for the past 30 years he has made an outstanding personal contribution to New Zealand aviation in the disciplines of pilot training, airmanship and the safe conduct of general aviation activities.
“He is an experienced instructor across many disciplines and has committed his career time, willingly and cheerfully, to educate other aviators in both the military and the civil environment.”
SQNLDR Rankin said he was “gobsmacked” when he heard he was to be presented the award.
“It was totally unexpected and quite humbling,” said the pilot who has flown a number of fixed and rotary wing aircraft; and at various times has coordinated military and civil air displays at events such as Warbirds Over Wanaka.
ENDS
For further information please contact Anna Sussmilch, Defence Communications Group, on 04 496 0294 or 021 420 899.
Background notes:
The Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN), the 81st City Livery Company was founded in the UK in 1929.
GAPAN looks to establish and maintain the highest standards of air safety through the promotion of good airmanship.
GAPAN’s Patron is HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh KG KT and the Grand Master is HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York KG KCVO.
Outside of the UK, GAPAN regions include Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and New Zealand.
Full citation:
The Jean Batten Memorial Award: Squadron Leader JAMES RANKIN DSD MSc RNZAF
Squadron Leader Jim Rankin is committed to the highest standards of air safety in New Zealand through the promotion of good airmanship and high instructional standards. He is an experienced instructor across many disciplines and has committed his career time, willingly and cheerfully, to educate other aviators in both the military and the civil environment.
Jim began his association with flying in 1975 at the Auckland Gliding Club at the age of 16. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1978 as a University Officer Cadet Pilot and gained his Wings in 1981. He became a gliding instructor at the Wigram Aviation Sports Club and gained his gliding Gold Diploma at Omarama. This experience motivated him to pass on his professional knowledge and skills to other gliding airmen.
During a subsequent tour on C-130H Hercules at No. 40 Squadron in Auckland, he was the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the RNZAF Base Auckland Aviation Sports Club and was heavily involved in flying, supervision and training for gliding, parachuting and powered flight including home-built aircraft and micro-light aircraft.
In 1986 he qualified as an air force flying instructor and as a B category civil instructor. While instructing on Pilot Training Squadron at Wigram he also acted as OIC Wigram Aviation Sports Club and as the Chief Flying Instructor at the Canterbury Gliding Club. He served a year on the New Zealand Gliding Association committee as the Chief Technical Officer and, in 1988, he won his class at the South Island regional gliding Championships.
In 1988 he was posted to Central Flying School (CFS) for training and checking air force flying instructors. He qualified as an A1 Qualified Flying Instructor, which is an exceptional rating, and also flew the Harvard and Tigermoth as the Historic Flight display pilot.
In 1991 he was post to No. 14 Squadron as the Training Flight Commander, flying the BAC 167 Strikemaster and helped introduce its replacement – the Aermacchi MB339CB in 1993. Posted again to CFS as Flight Commander in 1994, he continued to fly the Aermacchi as the only A Category QFI and was selected to fly with the Red Checkers formation aerobatic display team in the CT-4B Airtrainer as "Checkers Five". He was also involved with 'Project Pelican' which redesigned the training of RNZAF flying instructors and formalised the Instructional Techniques Model. This was a noteworthy achievement that resulted in the streamlining of RNZAF pilot training.
During 1997/98 SQNLDR Rankin was also the CFI at the Pine Park Aero Club where he delivered impromptu lectures on aviation topics. As a result, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approached him to present his topics at safety seminars around New Zealand. In 2000 SQNLDR Rankin was one of five facilitators for the 'Towards 2005' series of Safety Seminars, an Airline Industry Association and CAA initiative to address safety concerns in general aviation in New Zealand. In 2001 he began to work with CAA as a Safety Educator writing articles for Vector Magazine, running Aviation Safety Coordinators Courses (three two-day courses per year) and the "AvKiwi" - a series of two hour Safety Seminars at aero clubs around New Zealand. This popular series of safety seminars is now in its seventh year in New Zealand.
As the Air Command Senior Standards Officer for the Millennium celebrations, SQNLDR Rankin was responsible for coordinating all display activities and flypasts as well as rewriting RNZAF Air Display flying orders. He also became involved with civilian air shows as the military coordinator and Display Director, and has run the military display at the 'Warbirds over Wanaka' air show three times - the largest Warbirds air show in the southern hemisphere. This led to him being the civil display controller for 'Warbirds over Wanaka' for 2004, 2006 and 2008.
In 2001 he took up the post of Commanding Officer Central Flying School. During the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of powered flight, he led the Red Checkers display team through an impressive 23 displays. He also started his civil display flying career in a Nanchang CJ-6 during this time and he has subsequently displayed the WW I vintage Fokker DR1 Triplane and the F.2B Bristol Fighter.
In 2007 he completed a helicopter conversion course onto the UH-1H lroquois at No.3 Squadron RNZAF and extended his already considerable flying experience into the realm of rotary wing operations.
Due to his extensive experience and knowledge in many areas of aviation, Jim has been involved in several working groups for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, and is the RNZAF Liaison Officer and contract negotiator for the rationalisation of Air Traffic Services between the Airways Corporation and the RNZAF.
Jim Rankin has made an outstanding personal contribution to New Zealand aviation in the disciplines of pilot training, airmanship and the safe conduct of general aviation activities. He has crafted a unique combination of military and civil resources and exceptional personal skills over a 30-year career dedicated to conveying the pursuit of excellence in aviation lore.
I do not know of another airman who has been able to affect such a synergy of these resources and disciplines in the national aviation community. The resulting benefit is obvious and ongoing.
Squadron Leader Jim Rankin is accordingly awarded the Jean Batten Memorial Trophy.
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