Kapiti AeroClub CPL - How goes it?

[devolved]

Howdy,
I’ve done a search for any recent posts about Kapiti Aeroclub, but there isn’t a great deal about their Fixed Wing CPL/MEIR course. Has anyone out there got any feedback about their course/school and training out of Paraparaumu aerodrome?

Cheers.

[MOR]

Training out of Kapiti (Paraparaumu) is pretty good, the field isn't busy, and you have Wellington just down the road if you want to mix it in a busy IFR environment. If you just want approaches without so much "busyness", you can head up to Palmerston North, which is only a few minutes flying time.

Are you doing the approved course thing, or just the flying?

Paraparaumu is a nice little place, you have the beach, local shops are pretty good, and the weather is a lot better than Wellington.

Let me know if you need more info, they are just down the road from me.

[scrambler]

Is Brian O'Hagan Still down there? Did NZ PPL about 10 years ago. Found Them Pretty good back then.

[devolved]

Hi MOR,

I'd be doing the approved course with a diploma at a local Polytech.

Im just wondering how Kapiti stands up to a school like IAANZ at Christchurch. For training and job prospects. I wonder if having a turbine endorsment is really a decisive factor with a first job?

Im looking at Kapiti, as i have relos in wellington whom i could stay with during the training.

[Captain Condom]

Brian died a couple of years ago. Heart attack I think.

[chicken6]

devolved

Paraparaumu is a great airfield to train from as far as almost anything goes. Especially at Kapiti Aeroclub, I did my C-cat, aerobatics, and B-Cat there with Brian O'Hagan and worked under one of the most experienced instructors in the country for about three years. A lot of people say their GA flying is the best flying they do, that's certainly the case with me and if I could have seen the salary I've got now with the flying I had then I'd be there.

They have a good mix of aircraft at the airfield, and when I left I had 13 type ratings which I believe rounded me out as a pilot. The KAC also does helicopter training, and although Brian is sadly missed, the team of instructors there both fixed wing and rotary is solid and well-experienced. I believe they still have a couple of tailwheel aircraft there, a Cub and a Tiger Moth. If you want to I think they will do your initial training on the Cub which would be fantastic but would spoil you for takeoff performance and fun-factor for the rest of your career!

Night ratings are easy, hardly any other traffic and if you want to go do a scenic over Wellington to build night time it's right there (27 miles away, so it counts as cross-country time as well!). Wellington is still my favourite city to fly into on a good night.

They had a good club atmosphere when I was there, monthly competitions, social bar overlooking the field, heaps of active members, regular trips away etc. They have a well-stocked library, which is something you hardly ever find now, indexed Flight Safety magazines for the past twenty years (which took me a loooooong time!) so a huge pile of resources.

The only thing I can think of that's not in their favour is they don't have (as far as I know) a regular multi-engine air transport operation, and I don't know who does their instruction for the MEIR. Having said that, most places doing fulltime training don't have IFR air transport operations.

All in all I recommend it, it's a great place to fly, they look after their aeroplanes and helicopters and there's heaps of other people learning there for fun, so you can keep the perspective on it.

edited for spellign:=

[MOR]

Well my view would be that, in terms of grounschool, there is little to choose between IAANZ and Kapiti (Kapiti use the local Polytech for their ground stuff).

Flying-wise, I doubt there is a big difference in instructors, the Kapiti ones are likeable and seem very experienced. Of course Christchurch is a busy international airport, so you will not get as much flying for the money as you would at Kapiti - plus there is not the same variety of good airports close by for night and instrument training.

As far as MEIR training goes... I have an interest in that field... watch this space for developments.

BTW I agree, after 16 years flying jets in the UK, I still look back on GA out of Kapiti as being a whole lot of fun.

And there is a chinese takeaway next door, what more could you want... :cool:

[readbackcorrect]

Cant agree more with comments made, great place with a great mix of off the street pilots and also the academy pilots too. Makes for a thorough grounding as opposed to the heavily insulated training schools elsewhere in NZ. Great bar great people great club, Go For It....

[devolved]

Thanks everyone!
Very encouraging responses! I was expecting another debate, as being used to the school-bashing normally associated when a questions is asked about a Sydney school.