Winston Aldworth: Richie McCaw - oh, captain, my captain!

Richie McCaw disembarks an Air New Zealand A320 with pilot Warren Tan in 2011. Photo / Natalie Slade

"Good morning folks, this is your captain - Richie McCaw - speaking, and I'd like to welcome you aboard this Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Sydney."

How choice would it be if the national carrier were to sign up the country's most eligible pilot? Answer: very choice.

Air New Zealand should sign up McCaw as a flying ambassador. A frontman who genuinely rides up front.

We all know the greatest ever rugby player loves to fly - he's presently got a 9-5 gig with Christchurch Helicopters - and it would be easy enough to help him along with the necessary training, simulator hours and flying time to get him up to scratch and fully rated to helm an A320 or a 777-300.

Many airlines around the world have famous ambassadors. Orlando Bloom, of The Lord of the Rings fame, is the face of British Airways, while that bloke Psy, who gave the world the tune Gangnam Style, fronts for Asiana Airlines.

But imagine having an airline ambassador who could fly the plane! Step forward, Captain McCaw!

Our captain would have a genuine connection to the airline and the country. Unlike John Travolta - a bona fide pilot - who has been a Qantas ambassador for 13 years, despite the fact that the only thing he has in common with the Aussie national airline is both have carried Olivia Newton-John.

Getting McCaw on board would be a marketing coup for Air New Zealand. Do it!