Fenix UAS News & Events

Quick Guide for Drone Operators: Flight Advisor
Fenix UAS is pleased to release its first Quick Guide for Drone Operators, focusing on the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Flight Advisor website. Flight Advisor graphically displays real time information about low level airspace. The single pictorial display of information helps aviation participants maintain awareness of each other and co-ordinate their activities.
This Quick Guide explains how to access Flight Advisor, how to interpret the information provided, and how to access the different types of maps.
Fenix UAS Quick Guides
Quick Guides are intended to provide an easy-to-read overview of a topic. For website-based tools they will explain how to use key features of the tool.
Download your FREE guide HERE.
13 February 2025
Our February Newsletter is available now.
Read it HERE
Subscribe to future newsletters HERE


07 February 2025
Rick—our training operations manager—is now also our Chief Examiner.
03 February 2025
We are super excited to welcome Claire Walton to our team!
Claire has an extensive background in manned aviation, and is working towards her Master of Aviation. She has a special interest in the UAV sector, researching violence and aggression toward uncrewed aircraft pilots and ground crew.
With Fenix, Claire is a consultant for manned and unmanned expositions.

02 December 2024
Our December Newsletter is available now.
Read it HERE
Subscribe to future newsletters HERE


01 December 2024
We’re a collection point for the Kmart/Salvation Army Wishing Tree Gift Appeal
Look for the blow up Santa at the blue door to Fenix UAS. Our Christmas Tree is set up inside—bring in your unwrapped gifts (new items only) to donate to this appeal. We’ll deliver all the donations on our last day of work (20 Dec) to Kmart. From there, the Salvation Army will work their magic.
18 November 2024
What a week!
A massive congratulations to two of our contractors—Vaughan Ward from Ag-Smart UAV and Richard Milner, for receiving awards at the UAVNZ conference on Monday!
Vaughan received the Agricultural UAV Operator of the Year Award.
Richard received the Leadership Award.
Well done guys! Ka mahi!


18 November 2024
Welcome to the team
We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of Fenix UAS, Rick Watson, who joins us today in the newly created position of Training Operations Manager.
Rick brings a wealth of experience to the role, with 30 years of aviation experience on Fixed wing, Rotary and Simulator Aircraft. He has a B category flight instructor rating and has previously worked in both crewed and uncrewed aircraft training.
We are excited about the contribution that Rick will bring to our team. Welcome aboard!
01 November 2024
We now have a Fenix monthly newsletter!
Read the November edition HERE.
Subscribe to future editions HERE.


24 October 2024
We are super excited to be sponsoring the brand new “Agricultural UAV Operator of the Year Award” with UAVNZ & New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association!
Nominations for this award (and 7 others!) are open now, so if you know an agricultural UAV operator who demonstrates an exceptional level of professionalism, nominate them here: https://aianz.org.nz/2024-uavnz-awards/
16 October 2024
TechStep Mini Careers Expo – F R E E – E V E N T
Join us at the Manawatū Business Chamber TechStep Mini Careers Expo, Friday 1st November.
It’s a Careers Expo with a difference: showcasing a variety of careers that people may not have thought of, or know about, in the technology field.
You could discover YOUR dream job!
Come along and find out about a career in tech, including Music, Gaming, Drones and Apps.
Where: Marist Sports Club, Pascal St, Palmerston North.
When: Friday 1st Nov, 10.30am-2.30pm.
https://www.manawatuchamber.co.nz/event-page-humanitix/TechStepMiniCareersExpo2024


29 July 2024
Last week, after 8 years contracting to ASMS-come-Fenix UAS, we said goodbye to Chris Jackson from Jackson Unmanned Aerospace.
The Fenix UAS team thanks Chris for his knowledge, expertise, and hard work during that time, and we wish him all the very best.
24 July 2024
Fenix is pleased to welcome Richard Milner as Chief Examiner for our training organisation and Chief Pilot for our (pending) Part 102. As Chief Examiner, Richard has oversight of our flight examiners, ensuring that each is at an appropriate standard for their role.
Richard brings a wealth of experience to the role, holding a CPL(H), holding (or having held) senior persons roles in Helicopter Part 135 and Part 141 companies, senior Instructing roles, and prime person in his own company’s Part 102 organisation. He has recently been the Safety Systems Manager for the Fenix Flight Training Ltd Part 141 organisation.
We are excited at the potential opportunities that lie ahead of us as the industry continues to develop. Richard’s skills and experience will help ensure that our training remains relevant as technology develops and there is greater integration between crewed and remotely piloted aviation.
