When: 6 pm for 6.30pm start Wednesday 16th July 2025.
University of Otago Auckland Centre,Lvl 4, 385 Queens Street, Auckland. (The lecture theatre is right next to the entrance. L4 is ground floor, Queen St level).-Note change of venue
Presentation: Life with the Skyhawk
Des’ presentation will cover his diverse involvement on-and-off with this wonderful aircraft from 1972 until 2016 when some of the retired RNZAF fleet was finally sold to USA company Draken International. Over this time Des’ roles included the RNZAF, the Republic of Singapore Air Force, Safe Air Limited, Air New Zealand and Ansett Australia, the NZ Ministry of Defence and Ashton Technologies and all the while the A4 Skyhawk was never far away – always contributing to his livelihood.
The presentation will touch on operations, technical challenges and triumphs, accidents, and politics.
Speaker: Des Ashton CEng FRAeS ONZM.
Des Ashton was born in Australia and spent his early years resident in Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji and Samoa where his father managed airfields and seaplane bases.
Educated at Westport North, Correspondence School, Auckland Grammar, Lindisfarne College, Canterbury University, and RAF Cranwell, UK.
He was trained as an engineering officer and pilot in the RNZAF where he served for 24 years.
His subsequent work experience has been at senior levels across industry, consultancy and Government and includes leading and participating in significant commercial, government to government, industrial and dispute resolution negotiations and mediations often in very complex situations.
His honorary appointments have included Chairman of the Defence Industry Committee of New Zealand,
Vice Chairman of the Aircraft Industry Association Engineering Division,
various roles with the Royal Aeronautical Society
a trusteeship with NZ Aeronautical Trusts.
He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the United States Government in 1992
Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/JMiHNkNxB2AQUj2E9