Is Ardmore worth it ?

[Sqwark2000]

would you have any idea how to get into the operators good books? Any ideas?

probably the best way is to spend your money with them. I'd recommend looking at places that run commercial ops on the side. Places like Air Hawkes Bay run a student loan 3 yr programme, that get's you a business diploma, 700hrs in logbook and some multi ATO time. Flight Training Manawatu in fielding has it's commercial off shoot Air Manawatu that does charters and air ambulance. Air Wanganui run the Wanganui Aero Club and charters/air ambulance, and as already mentioned Mainland do training and charter as well as New Plymouth Aero Club and Air Gisborne.

think of it like a very long job interview. Spend time with the organisation, complete your training, and as long as you don't make a muppet of yourself there might be a job opportunity at the end of it. Having said that there is no sure fire way of doing and least of all there's no guarantees, no matter what the marketing speil is.

I trained at Ardmore airfield, took me 11 years part time to get my first fulltime job with 500hrs, 9 years later I'm about to tick over 6000....

Good luck with the research

S2K

[YELOSUB]

Nelson Aviation College is the fastest and cheapest.

[27/09]

I'd recommend looking at places that run commercial ops on the side

I'd second that. Their instructors have some ATO experience and there are generally opportunities for students who show promise to get some work.

The places that S2000 mentioned are all good places. There is also the Waikato aero club, they are closer to Auckland than some of the other places and have a bunch of experienced insructors there and I think they are part of the NMIT group of providers too. I would also recommend New Plymouth aero club and Flight Training Manawatu .

[XRNZAF]

I agree with S2K about the Air Hawkes Bay course. I don't know anyone who's done it, but it definitely looks good on paper.

Would get my vote for a student loan funded course...

XRNZAF

[kris15]

im a couple of years off of starting to study for my ppls and everything else you need to become a comcerical pilot. Air Force is another option unless your've already ruled that out because you have to stay with them for about ten years. did anyone do there training at massy do you think the standard of training at massy was different compared to flying schools?

[waren9]

If you want to join the airforce mate, I'd start listening to the English teacher.

Quality of training is important, but in NZ so are contacts. All very well getting a licence but if you've come out the arse of a sausage factory (like Massey) who cares?

Get in with an operator that also does commercial work. Your training is your job interview, if you see what I mean.

[XRNZAF]

"If you want to join the airforce mate, I'd start listening to the English teacher."

Well said!

Also, I'm not sure where this attitude of "I might let the Air Force train me for free while keeping me fed, watered and housed" came from.... I've seen/heard it from a number of school leavers lately.

Have a crack at selection with that attitude and see how far you get. The Air Force chooses you, not the other way around!

(P.S before anyone thinks that, given my stage name, this post is designed to give my ego a stroke. I was NOT a pilot in the RNZAF)

[kris15]

cheers mate and thanks for the infomation. Its helped probely start looking around soon.