Dave Turner Aviation Tutor

Dave has spent 18 years in the British Air Force, travelling around the globe to work on a wide range of aircraft, including Nimrods, Hawks, and Hercules.

In 2007, he moved to Blenheim and joined the Royal New Zealand Defence Force (RNZAF), where he transitioned into teaching. For 17 years, Dave mentored technicians and recruits in the maintenance of aircraft and flight equipment.

Together with his family Dave made the move to Nelson in 2020. After five years of commuting back and forth to Blenheim, Dave joined NMIT to develop the new Aeronautical Engineering Level 3 course, a certificate programme intended for those taking their first steps into the aviation field.

In designing the course, Dave says it was important to him that the learning environment be as authentic as possible to the hangars and workshops he had spent his career in.

“I knew from my time working in the British Air Force and teaching with RNZAF that having cutting edge technology and tools would be key to preparing learners to meet the currents demands of the field.”

Now as he embarks on his second year of teaching this new programme, Dave says he finds it rewarding to see the next generation of aviation professionals grow and thrive.

“I really enjoy watching students not only develop their technical skills but also grow personally,” he says. “Aviation requires discipline and dedication, and I see how that helps shape learners into capable and confident people.”

Outside of the classroom, Dave enjoys soccer and cricket. He brings the same sense of teamwork and camaraderie from the sports field into his teaching approach.

“I'm a keen sportsman and team player, so I enjoy using team building games and activities in the classroom,” Dave says. “My background [in the Forces] means I value structure, but I’m fair and I love to engage with the students through chalk and talk methods of teaching, as well as hands-on experience in the workshop.”