CONTACT OTAGO AIRSPREAD TODAY - CALL DES  ON 027 227 2441

OR EMAIL topspread@xtra.co.nz

OUR TEAM

Our Team

Over the years, Otago Airspread has become renowned for their professionalism, work ethic, and love of what they do. Here’s a little more about our team.


Want to learn more about the services we offer, or book a pilot for your land? Contact us today!

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Meet the Team

Des Neill

Primarily based in Taieri, Des is a born-and-raised Otago bloke with a genuine ‘handshake is his word’ business ethic.


Working on the family farm from a young age, Des has stayed in this line of work over the years, spending time farming when he’s not topdressing. Des decided to encapsulate his passion for flying, founding Otago Airspread in 2000.


When he’s not in the air, Des prioritises his precious spare time with his wife (and business co-founder) Elaine and their two children, Ashleigh and Ryan.


Des is able to meet with clients all across the lower South Island. Simply drop him a line and learn how he can make it to your place today.


To contact Des, call 027 227 2441 or email topspread@xtra.co.nz

James Allan

Our man in Balclutha, James has been farming and working in the agricultural sector all his life.


A South Otago local, James learned to fly in 2004, before picking up topdressing a few years later in 2007.


Now with over 9,000 hours logged in the air, James has been flying for us since 2009.


He is married to wife Laura, with three children.

Greg Bayliss

Based out of Twizel, Greg has been flying for Otago Airspread since 2014.


Learning to fly back in 1975, Greg began topdressing in 1979 and has been doing so for most of his career. He also flew floatplanes in Fiordland and Ski Planes at Mount Cook in the 1980s, before returning to topdressing in 1989.


With such a wealth of experience, Greg is a valued member of our team.

Jeff Bishop

Jeff Bishop is our Roxburgh-based pilot.


Beginning topdressing back in 1992, Jeff is vastly experienced with all aspects of the job and was welcomed aboard as part of the Otago Airspread team in 2003.


Jeff lives in Roxburgh with his wife, Nicola.

Ryan Neill

Ryan is the newest member of our team. With farming and flying in his blood, Ryan graduated from Lincoln University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Agriculture and gained his commercial pilots license in 2020.


He joined the Otago Airspread team in 2021 and is privileged to be surrounded by such a wealth of experience and support.


His other interests include playing and watching rugby, farming, and training work dogs.

Loader Drivers

We have an experienced and dedicated group of loader drivers, Pete, Rodney, Brad, Rupert, and Mark, who work closely with the pilots and farmers to ensure the job gets done efficiently.

Meet the Team

Des Neill

Primarily based in Taieri, Des is a born-and-raised Otago bloke with a genuine ‘handshake is his word’ business ethic.


Working on the family farm from a young age, Des has stayed in this line of work over the years, spending time farming when he’s not topdressing. Des decided to encapsulate his passion for flying, founding Otago Airspread in 2000.


When he’s not in the air, Des prioritises his precious spare time with his wife (and business co-founder) Elaine and their two children, Ashleigh and Ryan.


Des is able to meet with clients all across the lower South Island. Simply drop him a line and learn how he can make it to your place today.


To contact Des, call 027 227 2441 or email topspread@xtra.co.nz

James Allan

Our man in Balclutha, James has been farming and working in the agricultural sector all his life.


A South Otago local, James learned to fly in 2004, before picking up topdressing a few years later in 2007.


Now with over 9,000 hours logged in the air, James has been flying for us since 2009.


He is married to wife Laura, with three children.

Greg Bayliss

Based out of Twizel, Greg has been flying for Otago Airspread since 2014.


Learning to fly back in 1975, Greg began topdressing in 1979 and has been doing so for most of his career. He also flew floatplanes in Fiordland and Ski Planes at Mount Cook in the 1980s, before returning to topdressing in 1989.


With such a wealth of experience, Greg is a valued member of our team.

Jeff Bishop

Jeff Bishop is our Roxburgh-based pilot.


Beginning topdressing back in 1992, Jeff is vastly experienced with all aspects of the job and was welcomed aboard as part of the Otago Airspread team in 2003.


Jeff lives in Roxburgh with his wife, Nicola.

Ryan Neill

Ryan is the newest member of our team. With farming and flying in his blood, Ryan graduated from Lincoln University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Agriculture and gained his commercial pilots license in 2020.


He joined the Otago Airspread team in 2021 and is privileged to be surrounded by such a wealth of experience and support.


His other interests include playing and watching rugby, farming, and training work dogs.

Loader Drivers

We have an experienced and dedicated group of loader drivers, Pete, Rodney, Brad, Rupert, and Mark, who work closely with the pilots and farmers to ensure the job gets done efficiently.

About Us

Learn about the Otago Airspread story, and why we're dedicated to providing you with a job well done!

Learn More

Our Planes

We have a wide range of specialist machinery to get any topdressing job done in an efficient and safe manner.

Learn More

Health & Safety Resources

Otago Airspread always focuses on matching our high safety standards with our levels of quality for each job.

Learn More
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