UK --> NZ student PPL
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UK --> NZ student PPL
Hi
I am interested in learning to fly (fixed wing) and I would love to do it in NZ (I am currently in the UK). I have May and June free this year in which to do it. I've looked into it a bit and talked to an instructor in NZ and I was wondering whether you guys have any general advice for someone coming over from the UK to learn?
I did have a couple of questions though:
Would it be better to do the exams in the UK and go over to NZ to get the necessary 45 hours in my log book?
Are there any suggestions on flight schools to go to do this?
Is it possible to do this in the 2 months that I have free or would I need longer?
Any advice you can give me would be great.
Thanks,
James
I am interested in learning to fly (fixed wing) and I would love to do it in NZ (I am currently in the UK). I have May and June free this year in which to do it. I've looked into it a bit and talked to an instructor in NZ and I was wondering whether you guys have any general advice for someone coming over from the UK to learn?
I did have a couple of questions though:
Would it be better to do the exams in the UK and go over to NZ to get the necessary 45 hours in my log book?
Are there any suggestions on flight schools to go to do this?
Is it possible to do this in the 2 months that I have free or would I need longer?
Any advice you can give me would be great.
Thanks,
James
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In May or June, I would allow a bit more time due to weather. Its winter then and you can have poor weather for weeks at a time.
For a PPL standard, most flight schools are pretty good. Just depends what town you want to live in. Ardmore in Auckland is one of the bigger GA airports in NZ, there is 3 schools there from memory, probably a good bet to start there?
For a PPL standard, most flight schools are pretty good. Just depends what town you want to live in. Ardmore in Auckland is one of the bigger GA airports in NZ, there is 3 schools there from memory, probably a good bet to start there?
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"Its winter then and you can have poor weather for weeks at a time."
Not having a go at you lilflyboy... but...
I wouldn't say this is totally accurate. I've never seen weather poor for weeks at a time maybe for a few days in a row but probably nothing comparable to what one would find in the UK.
IMHO - Typically winter weather in NZ is very good (as far as winters go) yes we do have a lot of powerful fronts passing through from the south but generally very fast moving and followed up by lots of blue skys and cool temperatures.
Probably some of the best flying in NZ is in winter.
Knox.
Not having a go at you lilflyboy... but...
I wouldn't say this is totally accurate. I've never seen weather poor for weeks at a time maybe for a few days in a row but probably nothing comparable to what one would find in the UK.
IMHO - Typically winter weather in NZ is very good (as far as winters go) yes we do have a lot of powerful fronts passing through from the south but generally very fast moving and followed up by lots of blue skys and cool temperatures.
Probably some of the best flying in NZ is in winter.
Knox.
My question to you is, where do you want to exercise your PPL rights? If you want to fly in the UK/Europe, you might want to look at a flight school that offers the JAA syllabus.
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There is a flight school in Perth that offers JAA otherwise Florida is always popular for a JAA licence. In NZ the CAA hours requirement I believe is more than the 45 hours of JAA. Someone may be able to shed light on this?
Check out the Royal New Zealand Aero Club website aka Flying New Zealand.
Here's a link to a map showing where their member clubs are. CLUB LOCATIONS
Have a look and decide where you want to spend your time and choose a club near by. Some clubs operate weekends only some are full time, the standards are generally very good though like anything can vary. If you post where you wish to reside while in New Zealand then I could provide some suggestions on which may be your best options.
So far as I know there is no one that does JAA licences here in New Zealand for people such as yourself, your best option is to do the New Zealand PPL and convert to a UK or JAA licence on your return
So far as I know you will need to do the exams here in New Zealand though most clubs can set you up with the study material so that you can self study prior to arrival to speed up the exam process once you arrive.
You will need to do a medical. Have a look here to find a Doctor that can do these for you in the UK Directory of Overseas Medical Examiners
I know of several people from the UK who have done what you intend to do and they have easily converted their licences on arrival back in the UK.
Here's a link to a map showing where their member clubs are. CLUB LOCATIONS
Have a look and decide where you want to spend your time and choose a club near by. Some clubs operate weekends only some are full time, the standards are generally very good though like anything can vary. If you post where you wish to reside while in New Zealand then I could provide some suggestions on which may be your best options.
So far as I know there is no one that does JAA licences here in New Zealand for people such as yourself, your best option is to do the New Zealand PPL and convert to a UK or JAA licence on your return
So far as I know you will need to do the exams here in New Zealand though most clubs can set you up with the study material so that you can self study prior to arrival to speed up the exam process once you arrive.
You will need to do a medical. Have a look here to find a Doctor that can do these for you in the UK Directory of Overseas Medical Examiners
I know of several people from the UK who have done what you intend to do and they have easily converted their licences on arrival back in the UK.
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If you do as much preparation as you can regarding pre-study, getting a medical etc you might manage it. May will probably be quite good, June can turn to custard pretty quickly, maybe not the whole month but a reasonable part of it could be un-flyable. Your big problem would be getting 75-90% of the way through it and then running out of time to finish because of weather.
Will you be able to extend some time if required?
I know of at least one person who ran out of time- twice! because of weather. He completed a restricted NZ PPL but had to come back to do the extra cross country requirements before his full PPL was issued (other countries recognise full PPL's only when doing conversions). Note he was working at the time so was not always avaliable on the good days. If you are just flying it is easier and faster.
The restricted PPL allows limited local flying only and is not recognised by other countries so is not much use (do they still exist?)
Will you be able to extend some time if required?
I know of at least one person who ran out of time- twice! because of weather. He completed a restricted NZ PPL but had to come back to do the extra cross country requirements before his full PPL was issued (other countries recognise full PPL's only when doing conversions). Note he was working at the time so was not always avaliable on the good days. If you are just flying it is easier and faster.
The restricted PPL allows limited local flying only and is not recognised by other countries so is not much use (do they still exist?)
I would recommend late February through till late April as being generally the most settled period for weather.
So far as the weather goes, you can strike it unlucky anytime, having said that the weather is usually fairly reliable till August.
So far as the weather goes, you can strike it unlucky anytime, having said that the weather is usually fairly reliable till August.
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Unlike others, I would strongly recommend you stay well away from the major population centers and major schools, rather seek out the smaller places and aeroclubs. As has been suggested, Mainland in Dunedin would be highly recommended -the two major instructors there are both close personal friends and CP's I flew with over many years. The downside (if any) of Mainland would be perhaps the predominance of CPL candidates, that may overshadow your own efforts... having said that though, the staff are all superb and the training peerless.
Another well-worth considering IMO is the Wakatipu Aero Club in Queenstown. You'll not only be extensively exposed to mountain flying -something others can offer only at considerable effort and most likely expense -but you'll be mingling with active commercial pilots daily both professionally and socially. Were I to have my time again, Wakatipu would easily and definitely be my choice.
Weather will most likely be far less of a concern than you think. What you will be exposed to will be invaluable real-world experience.
As others have said, the exams will need to be done in NZ and the license converted to JAA on your return. Hours will be a minimum of 50 for the issue of a full license, but the small additional cost in hours terms will be more than adequately compensated in experience and skills few of your peers will possess.
Go for it. You'll have a ball.
Another well-worth considering IMO is the Wakatipu Aero Club in Queenstown. You'll not only be extensively exposed to mountain flying -something others can offer only at considerable effort and most likely expense -but you'll be mingling with active commercial pilots daily both professionally and socially. Were I to have my time again, Wakatipu would easily and definitely be my choice.
Weather will most likely be far less of a concern than you think. What you will be exposed to will be invaluable real-world experience.
As others have said, the exams will need to be done in NZ and the license converted to JAA on your return. Hours will be a minimum of 50 for the issue of a full license, but the small additional cost in hours terms will be more than adequately compensated in experience and skills few of your peers will possess.
Go for it. You'll have a ball.
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Have to agree with RS. Flying in that part of NZ is brilliant and so much better than places like Perth.
I am sure the hourly rate in NZ would be more economical also.
Mainland..
I am sure the hourly rate in NZ would be more economical also.
Mainland..
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Try Golden Wings - new school with nice equipment and very experienced instructors plus Nelson is one of the best spots in NZ with great winter flying.
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Hmmm, Golden Wings.
Well if you have pots of gold. The UK pound does go much further in NZ but it is still only in the order of $2.50 for each one of them.
Do Golden Wings have a realistic trainer for PPL other than the new Seminole and King Air 350 ?
Nelson is a nice place and has good winter weather for flying. He is going to need to fly basically every day but NZ is good for that anyway.
Many clubs would love to have the business, and Nelson and even Blenheim would be good.
The Marlborough Aero Club have just refurbished one of their Tomahawks and may have even finished the second by now.
Marlborough Aero Club
Sounds Aero Maintenance | Tomahawk Upgrade
Well worth an email I would have though.
You may be in for a pleasant surprise..
Well if you have pots of gold. The UK pound does go much further in NZ but it is still only in the order of $2.50 for each one of them.
Do Golden Wings have a realistic trainer for PPL other than the new Seminole and King Air 350 ?
Nelson is a nice place and has good winter weather for flying. He is going to need to fly basically every day but NZ is good for that anyway.
Many clubs would love to have the business, and Nelson and even Blenheim would be good.
The Marlborough Aero Club have just refurbished one of their Tomahawks and may have even finished the second by now.
Marlborough Aero Club
Sounds Aero Maintenance | Tomahawk Upgrade
Well worth an email I would have though.
You may be in for a pleasant surprise..
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Regarding the original question, if you want to get an NZ PPL, you'll need to do NZ theory exams as well as about 55 hours' flying. I think 2 months in winter will not suffice.
If you want to do your UK PPL hours in NZ, but never get an NZ license, then I recommend you do your exams in the UK before you leave. You might also speak to CTC in Hamilton who have several UKCAA examiners on staff. They probably won't do the training for you - not their thing - but can offer advice and perhaps supply an examiner to do the JAA PPL LST in NZ after you've done the required training.
In the latter case though, it is unlikely that an aero club instructor in NZ can prepare you efficiently for the JAA PPL. The standard in NZ is just as high, no question there, but the requirements are different. In particular, the type of flying done in Dunedin and Queenstown will certainly be exciting and trip-of-a-lifetime stuff, but will not necessarily prepare you for flying in England. (Scotland & Wales, maybe!) Something to consider.
If you want to do your UK PPL hours in NZ, but never get an NZ license, then I recommend you do your exams in the UK before you leave. You might also speak to CTC in Hamilton who have several UKCAA examiners on staff. They probably won't do the training for you - not their thing - but can offer advice and perhaps supply an examiner to do the JAA PPL LST in NZ after you've done the required training.
In the latter case though, it is unlikely that an aero club instructor in NZ can prepare you efficiently for the JAA PPL. The standard in NZ is just as high, no question there, but the requirements are different. In particular, the type of flying done in Dunedin and Queenstown will certainly be exciting and trip-of-a-lifetime stuff, but will not necessarily prepare you for flying in England. (Scotland & Wales, maybe!) Something to consider.
Last edited by Oktas8; 4th Feb 2012 at 09:05.
