Frank Parker had an extensive and varied career in aviation over more than 55 years, having started with the Royal Air New Zealand Air Force in 1970 as a helicopter pilot and later a flying instructor. He subsequently had an extensive career in Air New Zealand, ultimately as a check and training captain on the Boeing 777.

In 1987, Frank started instructing in helicopters at Ardmore and qualified as a category A flight instructor and flight examiner. In 1996, he established Ardmore Helicopters, one of New Zealand’s premier helicopters flying schools, and is still active as a flight instructor and examiner.   

Frank has had extensive involvement in the New Zealand Warbirds Association for over forty years, serving as Chief Flying Instructor for ten years, then more recently as President. He is recognised as one of New Zealand’s most proficient warbird pilots and instructors, being a test and display pilot on numerous vintage aeroplanes including P-39 Aircobra, P-40 Kittyhawk, P-51 Mustang, FG-1 Corsair, Yak-3, FW190, Spitfire, Mosquito and L-39 Albatross. Very few pilots globally have flown such an array of historic aircraft. His displays demonstrate these aircraft to great effect and with great flair, targeting the performance characteristics of each type in a dynamic but safe manner.

Frank was also the leader of the ‘Roaring 40’s’ Harvard Aerobatic team for fifteen years, displaying at events throughout New Zealand and has given many hours training pilots in conversions, aerobatics and formation flying. Frank is well known for his outstanding leadership and commitment to aviation safety, inspiring young pilots to transition to Warbird aircraft.  His focus on safety gave rise to ‘FAST’, the Formation And Safety Team at NZ Warbirds.

Frank is now retired from airline flying and is now ever busy on the Ardmore scene with the management of New Zealand Warbirds, instructing and examining on Warbirds and helicopters, while also serving on the Ardmore Flying Operations and Risk Committee and New Zealand Aviation Trust.

For his exemplary service to New Zealand aviation across multiple disciplines, Frank Parker is a worthy recipient of the Jean Batten Memorial Trophy.  

1992/93  Henry (Harry) Bielby Esq

1993/94  Captain A G (Gorden) Vette

1995  not awarded

1995/96  Raymond Gilbert Mulqueen Esq

1996/97  Air Cdre Stuart Mclntyre

1998  not awarded

1998/99  Ossie James

1999/2000  Captain Stuart Julian

2000/01  John William Reid MBE

 2002  not awarded

2002/03  Captain Bryan Stephen Wyness BSc

2004  not awarded

2004/05  Ian Andrew Ritchie

2005/06  Maxwell Brooke Stevens

2007  not awarded

2007/08  William Ronald Tannock

2008/09  Sqn Ldr James Rankin

2009/10  Michael Edmund Murray

2011  not awarded

2011/12  Guyon Moncrieff Robertson

2012/13  Lewis John Jenkins

2013/14  William (Bill) Arthur Black MBE

2015  not awarded

2016  John Funnell MBE

2017 - 2018  not awarded

2019  Glyn Powell and Warren Denholm

2020  not awarded

2021  Sir Peter Jackson ONZ KNZM

2022  not awarded

2023  Wing Commander Gordon Ragg AFC RNZAF(Ret'd)

2024  John Cook

2025  Allan Boyce