Glenn Phillips Takes Flight: Cricketer Achieves Pilot License

Glenn Phillips, the accomplished allrounder for the New Zealand Black Caps, has recently achieved his Private Pilot Licence (PPL) after a period of recovery from a groin injury. The 29-year-old cricketer, who has represented New Zealand since his international debut in 2017, turned his downtime into an opportunity to pursue his long-standing passion for aviation.

While recovering from an injury sustained during the Indian Premier League in April 2025, Phillips devoted his energy to flying, completing his PPL in September. He remarked, “People get forgotten about quite quickly in this sport, so being able to have something behind me if something were to go wrong… I know I’ve got something to make sure we’re looked after when cricket is done.”

Phillips’ enthusiasm for aviation began at a young age. His desire to become a pilot was ignited during his first overseas cricket tour to Australia at the age of nine. He recalled, “During the climb I was like, ‘Yep, this is what I want to do. This is where I want to be.’” For his 16th birthday, he had his first introductory flight over Auckland, further solidifying his ambition.

Over the years, he has accumulated significant experience through flight simulation, often bringing his equipment along while traveling for cricket. Phillips initially began working towards his PPL in 2015 but had to pause due to being on ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) medication at that time.

To obtain a PPL, candidates must complete at least 50 flying hours, pass six multiple-choice theory exams, and obtain a medical certificate. Phillips flew a four-seater Cessna 172, and he dedicated considerable time to studying and training. “I was studying probably 12 hours a day to get them all done as fast as I could,” he explained. Ultimately, he logged around 80 flying hours before achieving his licence.

Phillips has played in high-pressure matches, including finals in prestigious tournaments like the Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup. He noted that the nerves he felt during flight tests were distinctly different from those experienced during cricket matches. “I was probably more nervous for my flight tests, wanting to get it right and do perfectly,” he said.

Most of his flying takes place around the greater Dunedin area, where he resides with his wife, Kate. He has flown to Christchurch, navigating busy airspace, and has also travelled to Central Otago and Invercargill. One of his favourite locations to fly is Tekapo, where he enjoys the scenery before returning to Dunedin.

With his PPL now secured, Phillips is embarking on the journey towards his Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), which is essential for pursuing a career in aviation. A CPL requires a minimum of 200 total flight hours, along with theory exams, practical training, and flight tests. He aspires to obtain a Cessna 206 rating soon, allowing him to pilot a larger, six-seater aircraft.

Phillips has enjoyed flying passengers as well. Since earning his PPL, he has taken people up in the Cessna for approximately 40 hours. His wife, although not particularly fond of turbulence, has accompanied him on several flights. Many of his passengers have expressed surprise at the experience, noting that the views from small planes far exceed those of commercial jets. “The height we go over the ground you can pretty much see people’s windows… It’s stuff you can’t get any other way,” Phillips shared.

Looking ahead, Phillips has ambitions beyond recreational flying. He dreams of piloting larger aircraft, potentially an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, with aspirations of one day flying an A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft.

Should his cricket career continue to flourish, he envisions flying for enjoyment after retirement. “Plan B would be… doing something smaller, like scenic flights, where you know you’re going to be home every night,” he stated. Ultimately, Phillips hopes to find a balance between his love for cricket and aviation, allowing him to spend more time with family while pursuing his passion for flying.