NZ Flight Schools, any opinions?

[SpinSpinSugar]

Hi folks,

Off to NZ in about six weeks for a month, intending on doing a load of flying whilst out there.

Am mainly looking at the South Island as I'll be spending most of my time down there. Any opinions on Abel Tasman Air, Canterbury Aero Club or Otago Aero Club? Or, indeed, any air training/hire facility around Christchurch, Nelson, Dunedin or Queenstown?

Also is there anything I can do to sort out foreign (Canadian) license validation before I arrive or is it best to wait until I'm in the country?

Any responses much appreciated, I'm mainly looking for somewhere friendly to hour build and do some scenic flying.

Thanks,

SSS

[Thump & Go]

Canterbury Aero Club/International Aviation College(or what ever their other name is) seem to have a good reputation in NZ.The Academy side tends to cater for professional training side of things but I'm sure the aero club will have A/C available for hire.
If its scenic flying you want,you could try Wakitipu Aero Club - fantastic scenery and the chance to learn some serious(by NZ standards) mountain flying while your at it.Carlton Campbell is the man to talk to if he's still there - The mountain flying guru in NZ.

As for licence conversion the first thing you'll have to do is to spell it properly!;)
My memory on this question is a little weak but I'm sure there's nothing major involved.

Hope this helps and apologies for being a little unspecific.


Thump

[splatgothebugs]

Thump, you spelling nazi ;)

Spinspin, anywhere on Christchurch airport should see you rite and like Thump said if you go to Queenstown go see if Mr Campbell is avaliable (best flight in moutains and valleys you will ever have). If you decide to venture north check out Bay Flight in Tauranga.

As far as licence conversion goes, if it's just a PPL you should get away with paper work and a check ride.

Have fun and enjoy

Splat
:D

[SpinSpinSugar]

Thanks for the advice chaps, I shall bear those suggestions in mind!

As for my, erm, license, well, that's what it says on the front of the thing anyway (that's North America, I suppose)!

Cheers,

SSS

[clownair]

Otago Aero club are fantastic, they have a good base of knowledge in all areas not just mountain flying or local stuff......they also do a lot of overseas pilot guiding around the south island into milford, mt cook, abel tasman, stewart island........great guys to fly with, really low stress easy going lads

give them a try..there pretty competitive on price..... i think they're one of the cheapest around