To Jill and the girls. My deepest condolences on Brett's passing. Brett was one of the most genuine and generous guys you would ever meet.

We were shocked to hear of Brett's passing. Marty, Dean and the team at Mainfert (previously Mainland Minerals) send our sincere condolences to Jill, Faye, Susi, Chrissy and families. In developing Fine Particle Application (FPA) Brett spent many days in the South Island working from Nelson to Bluff. His skills as an aviator, engineer and organiser were instrumental in employing many people and establishing new businesses. You don't meet many people like Brett in a lifetime, he was one of a kind. Brett was a leader who achieved so much. He will be sadly missed by many.

Brett, you're a giant among aviators. You knew no bounds and you've earned a medal for services to Classic Aviation. Im always eyes skyward when I hear the rumble of the radial, from the Trojan, or the Cat or the Yak or the Dak, or the biggest joy of all, the Whoosh of the Whistling Wheelbarrow! You'll leave a huge hole in the sky to fill Brett. Fly high, Colin Winstanley

It is with such sadness that the aviation fraternity has lost a true gem... a pilot, an engineer, an inventor, a public relations officer, a true family man but such a great friend to so many as well. NZ aviation is so much the poorer for his passing but we take some solice in knowing he joins an elite squadron in the big hangar in the sky.... forever flying high... very sincere condolences to all the family.

Being a pilot/musician, I have written a song simply called "You've Flown Away'. (lyrics as follows):- 1."Now you have gone we're feeling lost without you. You've flown away to some far distant sky. It's hard to find the reasons you've departed, but you've gone now - "So Long"- you've flown away. 2.Your time had come I guess we must accept that. You'd reached the end of your time here to stay. It's hard to come to terms with your departure, But you've gone now - "So Long" - you've flown away. 3.You've left behind a legacy of flying. We stand in awe, salute you Brett today. We tip our wings and say "so thanks a million" for your life now, "So Long" - You've flown away.

Dear Jill and the girls. I have so many happy memories with uncle Brett. I will miss him. Love you all. Bless you.

Dear Jill and family. I would like to express the regret that I feel, Brett has been a person with whom I felt a great connection in a short time, those people that you love from the first moment and that we would have liked to be able to enjoy their friendship for much longer, but sometimes Sometimes life is that hard and it takes away what is dearest to us. I know that Cristina considered you her family in NZ and the pain that she also feels from losing a very dear father. I would like to be with you in person but since it is not possible I will be in spirit. We love you!! and Brett will always have a place in my soul. A hug. Jose Luis and Maria Rosa

To Jill and family Our deepest condolences on Brett’s passing, he was a true legend in the aviation community and will be deeply missed by so many. Fly on forever Brett with those silver wings. Chris &Angela

Beautiful send off, he was a very talented and loved man by all. I remember my first ever Helicopter ride was with Brett, when we were out Visiting Kelvin Gray, the sound as the Iroquois took off and flew up around the okato coastline and up around the mountain is a sound and day I'll never forget Fly High Brett, R I.P

Huge loss to the aviation community. My thoughts are with the family.

Dearest brother Brett we will miss you so much. Thanks for all the thrills. Fly high on heavenly thermals. Blessings Gayle Colin Grieg and Narina and families 🙏🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

I am sorry to hear about Brett's passing. Brett had a large impact on my aviation career. He gave a lot of young pilots their first start in aviation.

We will all miss “Yaks check in”. You were everyone’s spark plug seems if we weren’t fly em we were working on them. Some great times. You will be truly missed. Our condolences to your family n many friends. Sorry we can’t be there today we will be watching RIP my friend Rick n Denise

Thanks for your friendship, Brett. You have left a big hole in the sky and with your family and friends. Blue skies…

Cleared to climb to the heavens.

I never met Brett or knew him personally, but I heard many stories about him. I admired him, he seemed a true adventurer at heart. My thoughts and condolences are with his family.

Many awesome memories of Catalina trips across the country. Will miss those Rosy cheeks and cheeky smile

I never met Brett or knew him personally but have watched him perform over our sky's my whole life and am devastated to know of his passing such a huge loss for aviation in taranaki and for new zealand such amazing talent and passion for the sky's taken way to early fly free brett!!

I was devastated to hear the passing of my cousin Brett. It was just the night before Brett’s passing when I was having a FB chat with Jill. The doctors were hopeful he would pull through. Thank you Jill for supporting me through my own operation when Brett was in the Waikato hospital. In my late teens early 20’s I enjoyed many a trip to Inglewood and the hanger. Back then I had a few rides in the L300 I think it was called. I did move away from New Zealand but I always remained in contact. Aunty Joan and Uncle Cliff were my God parents. Fly high cousin Brett. Your life wasn’t meant to end this way. Big hugs to Jill and family.

Some time ago, while I was staying with Brett and Jill, I had the privilege of reading Cliff Emeny’s unpublished autobiography. It was a remarkable story of courage and determination. Shot down in a Mosquito over Burma by Japanese fighters, Cliff was subjected to repeated physical and psychological torture including being stood up three times before a mock execution squad, in attempts to force him to divulge information. That strength of character has come down to Cliff’s sons, Brett and his brothers. In Brett we saw it in his passion, ability and drive, both in his professional and warbird flying careers. His achievements and aircraft flown are known to all of us. There are few warbird pilots in New Zealand who have spanned his range of machines flown, from Yak-52 to Vampire, from Trojan to Catalina, all with a flair that attracted attention in peacetime and, I am sure, would have emulated his father in wartime. I flew with him many times during the introduction of the L-39 and the early warbird jet display teams at Wanaka and Hood, culminating in the only civilian six-jet aerobatic team at Wings 2013. He was always great company and up for anything. Taken from us, alas too early, fly on Brett. John Lanham

In any industry experienced mentors and good leaders seem to be rare people to find. Brett "made his mark" over several decades with our crew, contributing assistance and advice, which we can only say thanks for. We will miss Brett's presence in our community. To Jill and Brett's family, we hope you are doing OK.

So very sorry and saddened to hear of Brett's passing. My sincere condolences to the Emeny family. It seems only yesterday, I was laughing at his g induced facial features while taking turns looping ZK CZY. Fly forever free. Terry Palmer.

So saddened to hear of Brett's passing..wonderful memories of past holidays and adventures..thoughts are with you all.

Hey Brett - Thanks for all yr kindnesses and help over the years but really yr final take off was a bit early mate - wherever you are blue skies friend! Roger van der Zanden

My sincere condolences to the Emeny family upon the sad loss of Brett. My association with Brett, John and Craig goes way back to to the days when their Engineering Services were contracted for extensive fabrication & installation works for a major upgrade at the Hawera Meat Works. Many happy memories of working with this team and a privilege to have known such a dedicated family. My thoughts are with you during this sad time. Harvey Schultz

So sorry to hear of Brett's passing as it was only three days before his passing that I was talking to him I was working for him as a driver in Southland. He will be sadly missed by a lot of people throughout the country.

It is with great sadness that we received the news of Brett’s passing. I have had the privilege of friendship with Brett since our early days of flying back in the 70’s . Through Brett, I was employed by brother John which helped us pay for our flying lessons and introduced me to brother Craig and the rest of the family. I have one vivid memory which Brett reminded me of only a few weeks ago. Craig, Brett and I having a lunch break whilst working on a maggot infested pipe line at a Freezing Works staring up into the sky and all agreeing that we would eventually get to where we wanted to be. Such fond memories of sharing Brett’s infectious enthusiasm for all things aviation over so many years. Our heart felt condolences to Jill and the whole family. Kerry, Christine and Jake Pearce

It was with shock and sadness that we heard of Brett's passing. He was so generous with his time and shared his love of flying with so many. The respect that he has with a wide section of the aviation community is testament to his skill, dedication, and ability to get on with anyone. To Jill, and family, our heartfelt condolences to you all.

To the Emeny Family. We thank Brett for his wonderful contribution to the Aviation Industry in NZ. A mentor and friend to many. "May loving memories bring you comfort and strength". Craig, Annie and all the team at FJNZ

Dear Jill and family. My condolences go to you all at this sad time. I'm sadly unable to attend his funeral. Love and best wishes. Kathy

I, along with I am sure hundreds of other regular airshow attendees at Wanaka, Omaka and numerous other air events, over countless years gained immense enjoyment from Brett's flying displays. At Omaka 2023 the superb Trojan pairs display was a highlight of the event. Brett will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to his family and close friends. For Fay, your Dad will always be in flight with you.

Jill, Fay, Susie, Chrissy and families. We are so sorry to hear of Brett’s passing and are heart broken for you all. We remember lots of fun times boating, flying and skiing in the years gone by. Thinking of you all. Peter and Debbie Souness

Just to say how sorry we were to hear of the death of your dearly loved husband, father grandfather and brother. I know what a tight knit family you are and how much you are all hurting. Much ❤️

Words are inadequate to express the immense sense of loss my entire family is feeling. Brett, you and Jill have been our greatest friends and supporters in every way for 25 years. Not a week went by without us spending many hours together at our home and many other places in the country. You were our greatest supporters in our toughest times. Now it’s my turn to look after Jill. To Jill and all the family, sending you so much love and strength to help you get through the days, weeks and years ahead. The New Zealand Aviation community has lost a legend of the skies. So many of us have lost so much more. Goodbye Brett. You were a true and generous friend whose wise counsel on so many matters meant a great deal to me. You will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace 💜

Feeling so much for all the Emeny clan. Brett was so generous with his time and toys to me and many others. A truly great human who really got the best out of people, he will be sadly missed. Much love to Jill and girls, and all the family. Richie.