Plane beautiful for competition winner
Joe Bailey has won Nelson Airport’s third annual plane spotting competition, beating 80 entrants from across New Zealand.
His photo of a Q300 aircraft coming in to land at dusk will now be displayed in the airport terminal alongside winning entries from previous competitions.
The prizegiving ceremony was held at the airport on August 20.
Bailey, who recently moved to Nelson and has been exploring the region through taking photographs, received a $500 Sounds Air voucher.
Independent judge Martin de Ruyter, a Nelson Mail visual journalist, said Bailey’s winning entry was beautiful.
“It has all the elements required to hang on the wall at Nelson Airport with the previous winners of this competition.”
The competition showcased the work of plane spotters from 9 years to more than 70 years old. Entrants competed across three categories.
Tristan Merschdorf, 9, won the youth category with a night photograph capturing reflected runway lights.
Youth category judge Sophea Nguyen, an aviation content creator, said the young photographer showed dedication and technical skill in creating the long exposure image.
Jill Braithwaite claimed the smartphone category with a unique shot taken from inside a Sounds Air cockpit, showing the approaching runway from a passenger’s perspective over the pilot’s shoulder.
Nelson Airport head of corporate services Beth Catley said the competition recognised the local plane spotting community while encouraging broader interest in aviation.
“The quality and variety of photos is so impressive. We love seeing such a wide range of people getting involved,” she said.
Winners received prizes donated by the local aviation sector including trial flights with flying schools, helicopter rides and simulator experiences.
The youth runner-up received a ride in the Nelson Airport fire truck.
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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