After four years working in the tower and following an inspirational flight in the passenger seat of Ron Taylor's Jet Ranger Helicopter, Mrs Vincent decided she herself wanted to take to the air.
"I was offered the passenger seat on a flight to photograph the old scat cat that used to operate down by the lakefront, and while we were up there I thought, 'I could do this'.
"So I thought about it for a few days and then signed up to get my helicopter pilot's licence."
In 1994 she was promoted to Rotorua Airport's chief air-traffic controller and has been in the role since.
"I spend about 95 per cent of my time in the tower, which I absolutely love."
She said the control tower was a small cog in the bigger wheel of airport operations. Her specific role was to ensure the safety of all flights, aircraft, travellers and personnel in the airport's airspace and on the ground.
With the airport's 50th anniversary this year, Mrs Vincent was prompted to look back at some of her history, which is intertwined with the airport's.
"The biggest change I've seen has been in technology; it is such a rapidly moving industry, aviation is constantly moving to catch up. Even things we use and do today won't necessarily be there tomorrow," she said.
"Everything used to be manual, from pencilling in planes' co-ordinates and using binoculars, to hand-written notices, reading barometers in the office to get weather conditions and recording updates on a cassette tape. Nowadays everything is fully automated and computerised."
Mrs Vincent said the aviation community was tight-knit and that was a large reason why she loved the industry.
"My passion is driven by the people. It is a small, special community with a real family atmosphere. Everyone is driven by one purpose - to enjoy aviation - whether they're flying or the onsite firemen."
