Flying in New Zealand

[ChiSau]

Looking to be down in New Zealand over Christmas and the New Year.

Has anyone done any flying down there and got any recommendations?

Many thanks guys/girls

:D

[Fly Stimulator]

The D&G GA Forum might be a better place to pose this question, but as I was saying in another thread (http://www.pprune.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105424) recently I had a great time at a the Kapiti Aero Club (http://www.kapitiaeroclub.co.nz) near Wellington last year.

You can't really go too far wrong wherever you go out there; the scenery is great, the skies (and indeed the roads) are uncrowded and, compared with the UK, aircraft rental is incredibly cheap.

No matter where you are planning to go in NZ you shouldn't be too far from a club.

It may or may not be worth converting your licence - see this document (http://www.caa.govt.nz/fulltext/TTMR/Flight_Crew_Recognition_Info.pdf) at the New Zealand CAA (http://www.caa.govt.nz/) web site. The alternative is to fly with a local as P1 which has the benefit that you have a guide as well.

The NZ PPL requires 50 hours training. The extra is in instrument appreciation and you may have to provide evidence that you've done more than the basic stuff covered in the UK PPL before you'll be allowed to rent an aircraft. An IMC fits the bill, or you can do some training with a local instructor first. I'd recommend doing that anyway by getting some training in something we don't normally get to try in the UK; mountain or floatplane flying for example.

I'm sure you'll have a great time anyway. I'm jealous!

[GATSR Survivor]

My brother (a PPL) and myself were brought up there, learned to fly from Christchurch International Airport, and subsequently he has done quite a bit of flying there also. I'll get him to drop you a line with some tips and ideas for trips etc (he's [email protected]).

[cblinton@blueyonder.]

http://www.webwings.co.nz/canterburyaviation/training.htm


Did my PPL here and returned several years later and did my Twin Rating, you need to do a BFR all it is is a GFT and then you can fly.

Its a great place!!!:ok:

[DOC.400]

I flew out of Kaikoura around the mountains with an instructor and my two children. Just turned up on spec and asked when he was available. Great trip over some VERY inhospitable valleys, that whilst only 20 minutes by air, are six hours by road. Cost about 50 quid in 2000!!

Do visit the RNZAF museum in Christchurch, one of the best in the world IMHO.

If u want more NZ info, e me off forum. Great country -we gotta go back.......

DOC

[On Track]

Check out the Wakatipu Aero Club in Queenstown (South Island).

www.flying.co.nz

[huckleberry58]

The north island is nice but you can't beat the south island for the scenery. Especially in winter.