Pilot training in New Zealand
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Pilot training in New Zealand
Thinking about starting pilot training (PPL,CPL etc) in New Zealand and was wondering if anyone had any advice on who to go with. Still doing year 11(5th form) this year and was thinking of starting soon. Have had a little look around eg Ardmore, Massy etc and seems to me they all seem to have there goods and bads. Any advice guys. Did you do your training at your local aeroclub etc or did you go to Massy. Correct me if im wrong but by reading a few things looks like the airlines are keen on pilots with degrees.
Feel free to post your advice/experince etc
Cheers
Kris
Feel free to post your advice/experince etc
Cheers
Kris
I decided where I was going to go when I was 14, the handle gives it away where I chose. I have no regrets and would not have done things differently but I don't think the way I choose to do things is best suited to everyone.
I would keep an open mind until closer to the time. A big factor will be the cycle that the industry is going through at the time. Always best to train in a downturn and be ready for a job in an upturn. Obviously a bit of a gamble but it may help you decide on a quicker or slower (gaining more qualifications) route.
Another big thing is the path you wish to take in the industry and this could quite possibly change as you progress. Instructing is acknowledged as the main way to get a start in NZ aviation but you really should want to follow that path and not just do it because you feel you have to. If you want to be an instructor Massey has a good programme but it is more expensive and over a longer time-frame than others. CTC has a good programme too and lots of Massey-trained instructors. On the aero club side Air Gisborne has a well-respected instructor course.
Outside of instructing entry-level jobs are unfortunately few and far between. Training at an aero club may be more of an advantage if you don't pursue instructing. There you will be able to hunt out charter and scenic work. Because in NZ there are far more pilots than jobs minimums for those entry level jobs will often be higher than they would otherwise be in other countries.
Finding work overseas is an option too and it will matter little where you choose to train if the end product is a NZ CPL (still well respected). There are generally lots of jobs in Africa (not so much now with the tourism downturn) and elsewhere like South-east Asia where I am. Australia is even easier because its a pretty simple process to convert to an Australian CPL and they benefit from a much bigger aviation industry than ours.
Airlines do like degrees but this shouldn't be your primary concern. Some may advise you to go out an get a reputable non-aviation degree but I would only suggest that if you held an interest in that field. Otherwise focus on flying. But always remember you're nuts to be a pilot if its about the money, do it because you enjoy it.
I would keep an open mind until closer to the time. A big factor will be the cycle that the industry is going through at the time. Always best to train in a downturn and be ready for a job in an upturn. Obviously a bit of a gamble but it may help you decide on a quicker or slower (gaining more qualifications) route.
Another big thing is the path you wish to take in the industry and this could quite possibly change as you progress. Instructing is acknowledged as the main way to get a start in NZ aviation but you really should want to follow that path and not just do it because you feel you have to. If you want to be an instructor Massey has a good programme but it is more expensive and over a longer time-frame than others. CTC has a good programme too and lots of Massey-trained instructors. On the aero club side Air Gisborne has a well-respected instructor course.
Outside of instructing entry-level jobs are unfortunately few and far between. Training at an aero club may be more of an advantage if you don't pursue instructing. There you will be able to hunt out charter and scenic work. Because in NZ there are far more pilots than jobs minimums for those entry level jobs will often be higher than they would otherwise be in other countries.
Finding work overseas is an option too and it will matter little where you choose to train if the end product is a NZ CPL (still well respected). There are generally lots of jobs in Africa (not so much now with the tourism downturn) and elsewhere like South-east Asia where I am. Australia is even easier because its a pretty simple process to convert to an Australian CPL and they benefit from a much bigger aviation industry than ours.
Airlines do like degrees but this shouldn't be your primary concern. Some may advise you to go out an get a reputable non-aviation degree but I would only suggest that if you held an interest in that field. Otherwise focus on flying. But always remember you're nuts to be a pilot if its about the money, do it because you enjoy it.
My advice.
Do it close to where you live. The cheapest motel is living at home especially when undertaking an expensive programme like learning to fly.
If you can afford to fund it without a student loan I would do it that way, so long as you are not going to take too long to get the training completed.
If you need a student loan that really reduces your options. Don't get sucked in by the glossy brochures and wonderful statements of some of the bigger organisations. They are no better than most of the other places out there, in fact probabaly not as good as some smaller places.
You don't need a degree or diploma programme to get a job however diplomas and degrees tend to go hand in hand with student loan funded programmes.
Do it close to where you live. The cheapest motel is living at home especially when undertaking an expensive programme like learning to fly.
If you can afford to fund it without a student loan I would do it that way, so long as you are not going to take too long to get the training completed.
If you need a student loan that really reduces your options. Don't get sucked in by the glossy brochures and wonderful statements of some of the bigger organisations. They are no better than most of the other places out there, in fact probabaly not as good as some smaller places.
You don't need a degree or diploma programme to get a job however diplomas and degrees tend to go hand in hand with student loan funded programmes.
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058,
Couldn't have said it better.
Massey's an excellent place to train.
So are AeroClubs.
Degree's are good, always think of plan B. You don't want to have a fresh CPL and a 70 grand loan to then lose an eye and the accompanying medical.
Don't get into it for the money.
Couldn't have said it better.
Massey's an excellent place to train.
So are AeroClubs.
Degree's are good, always think of plan B. You don't want to have a fresh CPL and a 70 grand loan to then lose an eye and the accompanying medical.
Don't get into it for the money.
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I think you can hold your class 1 medical if you loose an eye..as long as you already have a cpl...have a read of that story about the South American B733 pilot that landed the jet next to a canal after double engine failures..near Las Vegas I think..he had lost one eye in an accident
