Mr Thompson (20) left yesterday for Canada, where he will attend an International Air Cadet Exchange, as the only participant chosen from south of Christchurch.
Mr Thompson has been involved with the Alexandra 50 Squadron Air Training Corps Cadet Forces, based at Clyde, for the last seven and a-half years.
He said the corps was a youth organisation aimed at providing activities and basic lessons in flying and gliding.
"We . . . just go for fun and to learn something new each time.
We have done a bit of flying over the years in a four-seater Cessna 172, but it's just a hobby," Mr Thompson said.
After missing out on an exchange to Britain last year, he was thrilled to learn a place had become available for him on the Canadian trip.
"I found out two weeks ago that another person had pulled out and I was offered the opportunity.
It feels great," he said.
Three New Zealanders travelling to Canada will explore tourist attractions and go whitewater rafting and gliding.
The group will also visit the Canada Aviation Museum, Canadian Forces Base, Trenton Air Cadet Summer Training Centre, Fort George, and the 424 Tactical Helicopter Squadron and 8 Air Traffic Control.
Other New Zealand cadets will travel to Britain, the United States, and Turkey and cadets from those countries will come to New Zealand.
The trip is paid for by the Canadian exchange organisers, and air fares are subsidised by the New Zealand Defence Force.
Mr Thompson is the fourth cadet from the Alexandra 50 Squadron to complete an international exchange.
