'Best' CPL and MEIR Training in NZ?

[ZK-IAG]

Hello All,

I'm about 85% through my PPL and was wondering if any of you more 'enlightened' aviators out there know of any good places to train for CPL and later on, a MEIR? I've decided that I want to further my (limited) flying career and immerse myself in full time aviation training; that is after the summer scenics around Auckland for my friends...

I have ruled out the likes of Massey and Ardmore Flying School; my Instructor reccomended Sunair and Gisborne Aero Club (and a colleague of mine who flies for Chats thoroughly reccomends GAC). Has anyone had experiences with these organisations, either positve or negative?

Any other advice or things to lookout for a fledgeling pilot? I feel a lot of the CPL and training organisations may have already been covered but I'm new to this forum, and keen for your opinions.

Any help would be appreciated...
IAG

[steve181]

I've got my MEIR flight test next month, then my cpl flight test. I'm at the aviation academy at christchurch. I like it because your so close to the alps and the coast, and also because nzch is kinda in the middle of NZ therefore x-countries are more interesting.

Friendly instructors and students. Also the academy is expanding with a new flight planning area and much much more. Also the academy is opposite nzch airport so it's good experience to minge with teh big boys

mingle* sorry i\'m tired

[v570]

Heard on the grapevine a pilot from CHCH has just made the move to Gisborne to further his career. That might be something to think about? unless that was you. Sunair would be a place to go for a low time multi pilot, as they might be a bit short at present. Timing as they say is everything,go hard!

[ZK-IAG]

Thanks guys. I will be checking both Gizzy and Sunair. Will let you know how it goes!

IAG

[nzmarty]

how about bayflight @ tauranga?

[Cloud Cutter]

Why have you ruled out AFS? It can be a very good choice (depending on your instructor). PM me if you want details.

[readbackcorrect]

Its upto to u really but what u should ask urself is



do i want to fund this or make the most of student loans before they disappear

Which aircraft do i like best?? Seneca V seem to be the hottest twins for training in NZ. Believe Massey and Gisborne use these.

Also I understand Sunair trains so why dont u go and blow them away with your flying prowess and then take command of some lovely vintage aviation memorabilia

Well good luck and enjoy

[BattleSTARGalatica]

readbackcorrect.
granted you will have a hot twin in the seneca's operated by massey and gisborne but if you have all the fruit then get a job flying real NZ GA aeroplanes e.g the mountainairs,sunairs, GBA's etc you have to learn to fly them the archaic way. no RMI, no GPS, big nav intolerances, autopliot u/s. The air gissy, east coast bays?(brigde pa) would be the way to go.

[Cloud Cutter]

Air Gissy Seneca Vs? Not quite, but the II is still a good aircraft, and there is always the possibility of work if training is done with that sort of operator.

[ZK-IAG]

This is alll very helpful stuff. Thanks everybody!

IAG

[kiakaha]

I disagree with Black Baron - Done all my training through there & have found it has a pretty good rep around the country - but then again I may be biased. Its who you are not where you trained (besides massey that is!) that counts.

[splatgothebugs]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.:D

But

Dosent' AFS use those duckys with glass cockpits, if so can't see that being much use in GA:confused:

On top of that I would maybe question some of their training. Not long ago there was one of AFS duckys doing holds over HN. It was a standard pussy spring night but HN was in the clear and AA was a little poo. Anyway we here over the box that the ducky had unreliable directional readings and would like vectors back to AR, HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM would have thought on a pitch black ****ty old night that getting on the ground was the best bet. Radar gave them a heading and off they went only to be pulled up a couple of minutes later by radar for wandering 30 degrees off track to which the pilot replied sorry we were pre occupied.

Anway I'm sidetracked, your best idea would be to gather facts like how long do the average IF ratings take under their training and the cost, then take reputation into account and make your decission.

Good Luck :ok:

[Cloud Cutter]

Splat

For someone who is always defending his own company from the 'pratt minority' you are very quick to judge. I did my CPL and IR at AFS and was very satisfied. I also had no problem transitioning into GA IFR ops (btw I have never worked at AFS). From what I've seen, a lot of the bad rap results from jealousy.

Having said that, there are other good establishments.

Cheers
CC

[splatgothebugs]

Cloud

Maybe you haven't read the post correctly, its not a dig but mearly an observation :ok: You have my humble appologies if it sounded like I was slagging them off

Not bagging them, I know a few folks who have trained there and had no problems.


splat

oh yes I just noticed that I said pussy in steed of pussey

[Groundsman Willy]

Hey IAG,

You need to ask yourself a few questions first -

Do you really need your multi at the moment? (When are you likely to use it and how are you gonna keep current?)

Do you want to do your instructor rating and instruct as your first job - with no experience?

Do you want to be surrounded and taught by an awful lot of people in the same boat as yourself, and probably more depressed, frustrated and negative than you?


If the answer to any or all of these questions is "no" then go to a small establishment.

I started at AFS, did all my theory there (no probs), did my PPL there (fine) then moved to Wakatipu Aeroclub in Queenstown. There, you are surrounded by GA companies and chief pilots. All the working pilots socialise at the club and get to know you during your training and if you are a decent person and a reasonable pilot then you"ll have a commercial job flying in no time. All this in one of the most beautiful and challenging environments in the world.

Lots of people tried to talk me out of it initially but once I'd made my decision most of them said "aw yeah, you'll have a wicked time down there". It's not a place for you if you're lazy, have too much attitude, or are a d!*khead but otherwise, you'll struggle to find anywhere better.

Best decision I've ever made!!!

Good luck.

GW

[ZK-IAG]

Hi Willy,

Good advice. I'm a bit like you; I've enrolled to do all my CPL and IFR (subjects only) at afs early 2005. I'm not that interested in doing the whole instructor bit, seems like it's a 'rite of passage' for lots of young cpls, and there seem to be a helluva lot of c-cats hanging around NZAR! (read: not very busy). I've pretty much narrowed it down to Gisborne or possibly Wakatipu. No solid descision made yet, still gotta few months before I make the move! (And I'm not lazy, have no attitude and am pretty sure I'm not a dickhe*d!)

Thanks for your help.
IAG

ps-are you still flying at Wakatipu?

[Killer Loop]

I'll answer for willy as I know his computer is a bit crap and it might take him a bit of time getting the old girl going. He's still flying in QT but with one of the main charter companies and not Air Wakatipu/ aero club. I also did my PPL and CPL there with Willy and agree with everything he said. Stood me in good stead for the flying I'm doing in Aussie now. Hey Willy did you get those pictures I sent you? You useless git!

[yyzdub]

I did my training at IAANZ in CHC... having done additional training thereafter in Ireland, Canada, and South Africa for various flying courses and theory work, I can say that IAANZ ranks quite high compared to all the other places I have studied/trained... quite happy with them and to recommend it to anyone.


yyzdub

[Groundsman Willy]

Ah Killer Loop me ol' mucker your looking quite dashing in those photos, pity there are no nice young ladies out there in the sticks for you.

Sorry about the delay, absolutely nothing wrong with my steam driven computer it's the aging operator that's the problem.

Just to confirm, yup I'm still in Queenstown flying commercially for one of the local operators. There's a fair bit of movement happening and looks as though it'll continue for a bit. This means that minimums for the operators have dropped a bit - (is that how I managed to get a job with my mediocre experience? Probably, and I though it was my charm, wit and good looks).

I got my commercial Dec '02, did my 1st ATO for the aeroclub Jan '03 did the summer season there and got taken on by a commercial operator Sept '03 salaried. What can I say, it worked for me, was the best decision of my life so far and flying down here is absolutely brilliant.

Hey Killer Loop, your ex room mate and his co worker/drinking buddy have both got interviews for bigger and better things things. Maybe get the crew together and ring you soon mate.

GW :ok:

[Carnegie Wah]

Just briefly,
Did my MEIR with a good G.A. crowd back in the day, but would think again if I were you. I found it very slap stick and broken training. A G.A. company is set up firstly to make money and secondly to operate part 135, training? A flight school is set up firstly to make money and secondly to train good pilots. Sad to hear you have dismissed AFS probably due to the advice of some sack suffering from little man syndrome. I have checked a number of lads over the last few years who have come through there and would have nothing but praise for the way they teach the MEIR. I'd be scraping to say the same consistently elsewhere. C.W.