NZ flight training and job prospectives
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NZ flight training and job prospectives
Hey
can anyone recommend good flight training schools in NZ. can anybody also discuss the employment opportunities in NZ for NZ citizen. Would European carriers employ low hours nz pilots? What about the Asian Carriers. Do they take on low hour nz pilots?
can anyone recommend good flight training schools in NZ. can anybody also discuss the employment opportunities in NZ for NZ citizen. Would European carriers employ low hours nz pilots? What about the Asian Carriers. Do they take on low hour nz pilots?
Last edited by UrlocalAZn; 8th Nov 2006 at 02:05.
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The big (sausage factory) flying schools are turning out some rotten pilots these days. Instructor experience levels are quite low so I would train at an aeroclub if I had my time again. Unfortunately any school that has access to student loan money will drag out your training and charge you a frightening hourly rate.
Try Airline Flying Club or Auckland Aero Club if you're at Ardmore.
If your instructor is doing it part time with a proper job during the week and he has some grey hair you're on to a good start.
There are lots of jobs for pilots of around 500 hours in NZ. Don't bother applying if you expect to get payed though. Flying in NZ until you have around 2000 hours turbine time is all about doing it for love
Try Airline Flying Club or Auckland Aero Club if you're at Ardmore.
If your instructor is doing it part time with a proper job during the week and he has some grey hair you're on to a good start.
There are lots of jobs for pilots of around 500 hours in NZ. Don't bother applying if you expect to get payed though. Flying in NZ until you have around 2000 hours turbine time is all about doing it for love
Unfortunately any school that has access to student loan money will drag out your training and charge you a frightening hourly rate
You are too right about doing it for love though
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Irony?
Someone who is doing it part time once a week/ twice a week is not going to get you through your training quickly!
That would equate to approximately 50 - 90 hours a year realistically?
Whilst i totally agree that to get your moneys worth as you put it doing it with someone experienced is key, doing it with someone enthusiastic who wants to spend the time with you is more key!
Dont discount Eagle Flight training also, and also think about job opportunities after you are qualified
Someone who is doing it part time once a week/ twice a week is not going to get you through your training quickly!
That would equate to approximately 50 - 90 hours a year realistically?
Whilst i totally agree that to get your moneys worth as you put it doing it with someone experienced is key, doing it with someone enthusiastic who wants to spend the time with you is more key!
Dont discount Eagle Flight training also, and also think about job opportunities after you are qualified
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Hey guys thanks for your replies. Im just wondering if an aviation degree at massey is a waste of time. They say that by the end of 3 or 4 years you will have a CPL and ATPL with the exception of the flight check which I guess is an frozen ATPL. Would it be better to study at AFS as they also provide training up to frozen ATPL. Cost is not as big a factor now to me as NZ now offers interest free student loans. How easy is it to get a job straight out of school??? How long would it take to get 2000 hours??? Cheers Guys
Massey is obviously one of the more expensive routes to take but the trade-off is that it is cheaper to live in Palmerston North. On a whole the course is good and there are great lecturers and instructors but to be employable in NZ once you have compeleted the degree you really need to do a C cat course. Massey's offer is very comprehensive but pricey, however, if you're worth your salt there is usually the posibility of being taken on as an instructor.
Like I said and has been mentioned sub 2000 hours or 1000 depending on the breakdown and luck you really need that instructor rating in NZ to be usable if only for 'pro bono' work. I know of people who have gone to the UK and converted to JAA but although things look promising haven't yet scored a job.
Like I said and has been mentioned sub 2000 hours or 1000 depending on the breakdown and luck you really need that instructor rating in NZ to be usable if only for 'pro bono' work. I know of people who have gone to the UK and converted to JAA but although things look promising haven't yet scored a job.
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You would be doing well to get 2000hrs within 5years of having started training, but as a piece of helpfull advice..... dont worry too much about total time. Make sure its something worthwhile ie Multi time.
I stand to be corrected but Massey are the only ones who can take you up to frozen ATPL. Despite what the advertising material says AFS havnt for years (ever?).
I stand to be corrected but Massey are the only ones who can take you up to frozen ATPL. Despite what the advertising material says AFS havnt for years (ever?).
Have you enquired about the EIT diploma of aviation in the Hawkes Bay??
You exit there after 3 years with MEIR, C-cat, some ATPL exams (Not all) and nearing 1000hours. They have aligned themselves in recent times with the air ambulance flights which have senecas and navajo and 421. My partner is starting that course next year. Certainly have a look at the schoolandmake your own decision.
Good luck
You exit there after 3 years with MEIR, C-cat, some ATPL exams (Not all) and nearing 1000hours. They have aligned themselves in recent times with the air ambulance flights which have senecas and navajo and 421. My partner is starting that course next year. Certainly have a look at the schoolandmake your own decision.
Good luck
If you are looking at the South Island as well than take a look at the operator in Dunedin.
Its a smaller school of the ones that offer student loans but they do only hire ex-students which pushes the chances up quite a bit.
You will need to do the instructors rating but if you get in then after a year or two of instructing you can be on the multi-engine charter and truly on your way to an airline job.
Most getting an instructors rating will be offered their first 100hrs of instructing time, of these, a couple will get a job. The reality is that every school trains way more pilots than they intend to hire themselves, so a majority will have to go job-hunting elsewhere.
Its a smaller school of the ones that offer student loans but they do only hire ex-students which pushes the chances up quite a bit.
You will need to do the instructors rating but if you get in then after a year or two of instructing you can be on the multi-engine charter and truly on your way to an airline job.
Most getting an instructors rating will be offered their first 100hrs of instructing time, of these, a couple will get a job. The reality is that every school trains way more pilots than they intend to hire themselves, so a majority will have to go job-hunting elsewhere.
Last edited by glekichi; 10th Nov 2006 at 21:08. Reason: extra info added
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.....and most of all,make sure you log it as ..."kiwi time".....or else it doesnt count...for those of us that "left" to get time....it doesnt count....so make sure in your logbook you have a columne that says...."kiwi time",..then "Other time".......that will then distinguish you from us clowns that have minimal "kiwi-time".......just a word of warning 
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....I forgot about the 30 days of "kiwi time" @ Rimutaka...bugger!!! thanks for the reminder Tin.....thats why theres rope on the soap...nice picture of the cuzzie-bro....PB
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Bay flight International, Tauranga.
Word of warning for all newcomers don't believe all that Massey says, do your home work and make an educated decission based not only on how long it will take to finish but your job prospects at the end of it. Student loan or not it is your money so BE WISE.
HB
Word of warning for all newcomers don't believe all that Massey says, do your home work and make an educated decission based not only on how long it will take to finish but your job prospects at the end of it. Student loan or not it is your money so BE WISE.
HB
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Mainland Air
Hey Guys Ive checked Mainland Air and it says that after completing a diploma in aviation science, i can get a bachelor of aviation science. Do they issuse their own degrees or does other institutions issue it for them??? Cheers Guys
The diploma is through NMIT, and degrees through Massey or Griffith.
It keeps options open, but once in the industry you may find that the degree is not as important as initially thought.
It keeps options open, but once in the industry you may find that the degree is not as important as initially thought.
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My Input
Hi
For those guys who are neither from AUS nor NZ reading this thread here are the schools in NZ with NZQA approval(this is NZ immigration policy,cant get around this requirement if u want a student permit/visa).
Bay flight International
Nelson aviation college
Hawke's Bay
Mainland air
(they have NZQA approval but they arent taking any international students.the situation may have changed so check with them for the latest)
Southern wings
(very unresponsive and too laid back administration staff,very hard to get them to send u some info.Its better if anybody is interested they contact the CFI, very nice bloke and very experienced).
Eagle flight Training
Waikato aeroclub
New plymouth aero club.
Apparently only 2 aero clubs with NZQA aeroclub though there are much more aeroclubs across the country but since they do not have NZQA approval,no chance for international students to get enrolled in the aeroclubs except for waikato and plymouth.
And also the sausage factors AFS and IAANZ take in International students.
For those guys who are neither from AUS nor NZ reading this thread here are the schools in NZ with NZQA approval(this is NZ immigration policy,cant get around this requirement if u want a student permit/visa).
Bay flight International
Nelson aviation college
Hawke's Bay
Mainland air
(they have NZQA approval but they arent taking any international students.the situation may have changed so check with them for the latest)
Southern wings
(very unresponsive and too laid back administration staff,very hard to get them to send u some info.Its better if anybody is interested they contact the CFI, very nice bloke and very experienced).
Eagle flight Training
Waikato aeroclub
New plymouth aero club.
Apparently only 2 aero clubs with NZQA aeroclub though there are much more aeroclubs across the country but since they do not have NZQA approval,no chance for international students to get enrolled in the aeroclubs except for waikato and plymouth.
And also the sausage factors AFS and IAANZ take in International students.
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How about this idea?
Very good posts so far. If you are a NZ citizen or permanent resident, then how about this for a senario:
For the first few years and hundred hours, you will be spending money and not earning it. You will need a job. Learning a trade will pay for your flying, give you an employment history (because aviation employers ALWAYS call your referees), and sustain you when you are flying for minimum pay.
At the end, you will have two strings to your bow, cash in the bank, and be able to hold a "real" job.
ECT
P.S. take morning tea to a commercial operator and learn how they work. It'll be a real eye opener and give you a head-start on all the other pilots. Hey - it worked for me!
For the first few years and hundred hours, you will be spending money and not earning it. You will need a job. Learning a trade will pay for your flying, give you an employment history (because aviation employers ALWAYS call your referees), and sustain you when you are flying for minimum pay.
At the end, you will have two strings to your bow, cash in the bank, and be able to hold a "real" job.
ECT
P.S. take morning tea to a commercial operator and learn how they work. It'll be a real eye opener and give you a head-start on all the other pilots. Hey - it worked for me!