THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

PEDLEY, Nicholas Michael

Squadron Leader, New Zealand Defence Force

CITATION

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

Queen's Birthday Honours List 2017

For services to the New Zealand Defence Force

Squadron Leader Nicholas Pedley has undertaken 50 years of service in the Royal Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force as a military pilot, flying instructor and instructor trainer.

Squadron Leader Pedley began his flying career in 1966 and flew operationally with the Royal Air Force in a range of aircraft. In the late 1970s he qualified as a Pilot Instructor, Instrument Rating Examiner and as one of the few instructors qualified to train other pilot instructors. He joined the RNZAF in 1986 to fly with No. 14 Squadron, and was its commanding officer from 1989 to 1992. After a period as a staff officer, he resumed flying duties in 1999 as an instructor at the Pilot Training Squadron and Central Flying School. In addition to his flying duties he was also a member of the Red Checkers display team. In 2014 he was one of the first RNZAF pilots to complete a conversion course to the new T-6C Texan trainer. He has performed the demanding role of instructing instructors for more than 30 years, with pilots trained or influenced by Squadron Leader Pedley going on to conduct military operations and occupy positions at the highest leadership levels of the Air Force and in the wider aviation industry..

AWARDS KNOWN

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

New Zealand Armed Forces Award

2 bars

New Zealand Defence Service Medal

Regular

NOTES

Born

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