Meet the Crew 

Alec Miller, M.N.Z.M., J.P. CEO/Director

Start date: November 1970 Total Flying Hours:  Exceeding 8000 hrs.

Alec resides on the West Coast at Franz Josef Glacier, where the company ski planes operate from his home airstrip at Docherty Creek, and he also spends much of his time at Mount Cook on operational matters. He has a long association with the Central Southern Alps, having in his youth worked as a high climbing guide in Mount Cook National Park and later as a Park Ranger in Westland National Park. Subsequently he served as Chair of the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board, and in 2007 he received the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of his services to conservation. Alec is also a Justice of the Peace and a Marriage Celebrant. In his dual roles as both Mount Cook ski plane pilot and marriage celebrant he is thus able to officiate at unique weddings on the high alpine glaciers. Alec is also a doting grandfather to his two young grandchildren. 

Wayne McMillan - Chief Pilot

Wayne has been flying fixed wing aircraft for more than forty years and has in excess of 8,200 flying hours. Wayne started his aviation career in the early 70’s in the agriculture industry as a loader/trainee agriculture pilot before starting with Mount Cook Ski Planes in 1979 where he is currently the Chief Pilot.  Wayne has flown a range of aircraft; various Cessna’s, Pilatus Porters and the Grumman AA5. His duties include training manager, flight examiner and Base Manager for the  Aoraki Mount Cook Airport Company Ltd. The highlight of Wayne’s job is meeting people from various countries and being able to show them parts of our country that they wouldn’t be able to access otherwise and sharing their pleasure. It’s not just a job but a privilege to be able to do it.

Ross Anderson - Pilot

Ross started work as an apprentice joiner with Dunstan Timber and Joinery in Alexandra before joining Central Aviation Aerial Topdressing as a Loader Driver in 1980. Since 1983 Ross has been flying Cessnas and Pilatus Porters for Mount Cook Ski Planes taking scenic flights in the Mount Cook/Westland National Parks and has in excess of 6,000 flying hours; mostly in ski planes. The highlight of Ross’s job is working in the challenging environment of the mountains/glaciers and meeting our guests from all over the world and sharing our amazing scenery with them.

Ross is also a keen photographer and has contributed a lot of images to our website.   

 Mike Williams - Pilot

Mike has in excess of 4,800 flying hours.  He started out in aviation in 1993 taking passengers on scenic flights around Mount Cook/Westland National Parks.  Since September 1994 Mike has been flying Cessnas and Pilatus Porters for Mount Cook Ski Planes taking scenic flights in the Mount Cook/Westland National Parks and landing on some of the largest glaciers in the area.  The highlight of Mike's job is meeting people from all parts of the world and being able to share with them his love of the Southern Alps.  Previous to this Mike flew sky divers in the Mt Hutt area.

Mark Hayes - Helicopter Pilot

Total flying time 1200 hours based in the Queenstown & Fiordland area. 

Mark's experience includes; involvement in the venison industry based in the Fiordland area,

hunting and fishing, mustering and tourism.


 James Meldrum - West Coast Pilot

James has been flying around the Mount Cook region and Fiordland for 17 Years and has clocked up over 3000 flying hours. In addition to flying Ski Planes from our Franz Josef base, he also flies passengers down to Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. These flights are amongst his favourites as they cover much of the spectacular 'Te Waipounamu' World Heritage Area and involve nearly 3 hours of flying.
Along with his wife Andrea, James owns and operates the Franz Josef bookshop, which contains the booking and check-in office for Mount Cook Ski Planes. Having a young family manages to occupy James for much of the day (and occasional night) when he's not away flying or selling books.

Stephen Kemp - Station Engineer/Maintenance Controller

Steph started his engineering apprenticeship with Auster Air Services/Aerotech which he completed in 1975 with Airwork Christchurch specializing in engine overhaul. He has worked for numerous leading fixed wing and rotorcraft aviation companies gaining experience on Austers through to Chieftains (even 748’s) Hughes 500, Bell 206, 212, UHIH single and twin Squirrels through to Sikorski S64 heavy lift rotorcraft.  Steph first joined Mount Cook Airlines Ski Plane division as a lame in 1990 and gained his CAA Inspection Authority in 2003. He is currently Station Engineer/Maintenance Controller at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport. The highlight of Steph’s career has been working for Erickson Aircrane in Borneo and Sardinia between 2000-2002.

 Karen McBride - Passenger Services Manager

Karen joined Mount Cook Ski Planes in October 1994, planning to perhaps work a summer in Mount Cook.  15 years on and she is still enjoying the challenges of the job, challenges which the mix of aviation and tourism can throw at you every day.  She feels very lucky to be a full time resident in the Aoraki/Mount Cook Village along with her husband who also works here in the National Park.  On a good day you will see her out following her co-workers up the infamous Red Tarns track, a bit of an institution for local residents.  Karen says her secret to longevity in this business is being passionate about what you do, and it's easy when you have quality products like our Ski Plane and Helicopter Flights to sell. 

Trish Knox - Dispatch Supervisor

Trish began working for Mount Cook Ski Planes in February 2004. She really enjoys having the opportunity to live and work in Mount Cook National Park, and to follow in family footsteps in working for the company that two family members, an uncle and a cousin have flown for. A highlight of the job for her is seeing the ecstatic smiles of people coming back from their glacier landing. She considers it a great pleasure to be involved in selling a premier flight experience.  

 Rodney Bloxham - Shuttle Transport Provider

The scenic flight experience with us will often begin with Rodney in one of his fleet of vehicles including a 44 seater coach and 10 seater Mercedes van.