For farmers and long-time friends Lyle Williams and Shane Moore, creating Top Gun Aviation wasn’t about chasing profits. It was about finding a practical way to support the next generation of pilots and an organisation they both care deeply about: the Mid Canterbury Aero Club.
The club had been using old aircraft that were becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and less suitable for modern aviation training. Unfortunately, the club was also not in a position to purchase newer aircraft.
After attending the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow and seeing a Tecnam P92 for sale, Lyle and Shane realised they could help. They developed a business model that enabled them to purchase two aircraft and lease them back to the club. “We wanted to give something back and help create opportunities for young people,” Shane said. Within weeks, Top Gun Aviation had been established, financing arranged, and two Tecnam aircraft secured. One was an ex-demonstration aircraft, and another was relocated from Tauranga.
These new-generation Tecnam P92 aircraft offer greater reliability, lower operating costs, and modern glass-cockpit technology. Students now train in aircraft that are only a few years old rather than several decades old, and the Aero Club is in a strong position to continuing attracting both local students and aspiring pilots from Christchurch.
When it came time to turn an ambitious idea into a functioning business, Lyle and Shane sought advice from Partner Simon Wing and the team at Leech & Partners. “Simon was instrumental in helping us get the business set up,” Lyle said. “He was professional, easy to understand, and made the whole process straightforward for us and our families. He helped us figure out what was needed and gave us confidence to move forward.”
What began as a conversation between friends quickly became something much bigger: a project to modernise local aviation, strengthen a valued community organisation, and inspire the next generation.
Taking Flight Gala Dinner
📅 17 October 2026
📍 Ashburton Aviation Museum
Leech & Partners is proud to support the Mid Canterbury Aero Club’s Taking Flight Gala Dinner as an Economy Sponsor. The event will raise funds for flying scholarships for high school students, helping local young people take their first steps towards a future in aviation. Guest speaker Jim Hickey will share his passion for aviation and his experiences in the industry. For more information and to support the club, contact Lyle Williams at ljnawilliams@yanhoo.com.
