Tauranga radio journalist Grayson Ottaway confesses to being a bit of a dabbler when it comes to aviation journalism.

So needless to say he was highly surprised to be nominated for an award at the 2014 National Aviation Press Club Australia NZ Aviation Media Awards in Sydney.

Tauranga radio journalist Grayson Ottaway has been nominated for an award at the 2014 National Aviation Press Club Australia NZ Aviation Media Awards in Sydney. Photo: File.

Both the finalists and the awards are being announced tonight so it will be a nervous wait for Grayson, who submitted his entry only minutes before the deadline was set to expire.

Speaking from Australia, Grayson says he entered the online category with a story about a 787 simulator posted on ZB Online in May.

'I'm feeling amazing and excited, it's something I never expected to get into,” he explains.

'Even if I don't win it's going to be a neat night for the fact that I get to meet some big journos over here.”

Grayson has previously worked as a journalist for the then-named Classic Hits and Newstalk ZB before taking a sabbatical.

In June 2013, while covering the Paris Airshow, he collapsed and was taken to a Paris hospital where he slipped into a coma. He was eventually discharged and returned to Tauranga a few weeks later.

Grayson says he's loved planes since he was little and was all set for a flying career.

But one day while working for Eagle Airway in Gisborne, a boarding call changed everything.

'The breakfast host of the local station came up to the counter and told me I had a nice voice for radio.

'Some months later, after being convinced to go for a look around, I got bitten by the radio bug and ended up with a 25 year career!”

Grayson is being flown over for the night by Air New Zealand and travelled on a 787.

To see Grayson's story click here.