IAANZ are linked with Cabair in the UK to convert your licence to JAA, but it would be possible to convert with many other schools too. I think in NZ it doesn't matter too much whether the training is integrated or modular, because when you get your NZ CPL/IR, people mainly become instructors. The industry there is quite different to Europe as low-hour pilots have no hope of getting a turboprop or jet job.

New Zealand Pilot Training
 

After i have finished my training for a PPR i then wonder where i go for the best commercial training. A place on my mind is New Zealand and i was wondering if any pilots on here trained in New Zealand and would recommend it to me.

Thanks

Does anyone know what the quality of training at Hawkes Bay is like? I've been looking at there for a while and am hoping to go and train in NZ in about a years time doing my PPL, CPL, IR etc all at the same time but modular... also Hamil000 can you clarify what you were saying about conversion - two years and £50,000? That's more and longer than it takes just to study in Europe for starters! is that really right?

The big difference is the exams.
From memory, the NZ CPL involves something like seven exams (don't quote me on that). These are self-study, reasonably but not desperately demanding, and can be taken at a local examination centre.
In the UK, you are looking at nine exams for a CPL, fourteen if you want to go for an IR/frozen ATPL. This includes a period of mandatory ground school and the exams can only be taken at Gatwick (I believe). Intensive self-study will take a couple of years; a full time residential course will take between six and nine months.
So, apart from the 25 hour flying course and the cost of the CPL test, there is a lot of extra work involved in the conversion. I can't comment on the IR.
Put simply: if you want to fly commercially in the UK, do your CPL in the UK. If you want to fly in NZ/Aus, do the CPL down there. Forget about cost, think about time.

Nelson Aviation College- JAA course
 

Hi all,

Does anyone know any information about the Nelson Aviation College in NZ and especially the JAA professional pilot training course that they run in association with Atlantic flight training Ltd (UK).
Just looking at the course and it sounds good, but need some advice about it if anyone one can help. Please let me know if you can.

Cheers, G-FCLA, Nick. :ok: :ok:

New Zealand Flight Training
 

Hey does anyone know where to get the best flight training in new zealand. would it be better to study at university to get a degree in aviation or would a flight training school be better?

Training in New Zealand!
 

Hi

I am a UK citizen and have, for the past 6 months, been looking around the various flight training schools to help me make a decision on which to go for!

Having decided to go down the fully integrated route, obtained my Class 1 medical certificate, cleared an assessment day at CabAir, I had more or less just signed up to the course when I was invited to New Zealand for a family wedding...

I totally fell in love with the country and am now hastily re-thinking my decision to attend a UK flying school when I could train over in NZ for around one third of the cost, experience some unique flying environments and ultimately use my licence to stay in NZ permanently!

With loads of small and medium size regional airlines, along with Air New Zealand and other 'Pacific' carriers, there would seem a good chance of securing some form of flying employment - if not immediately after, then some time in the future once hours have been accrued etc.

My questions, to anyone who would be willing to share a similar experience, have some knowledge of flying training / living in New Zealand are as follows.

Note, I have asked various flying traning schools these same questions and, as you might expect, have received vastly different answers to the questions, so it will be interesting to hear from anyone who knows:

1. Once a NZ ATPL licence has been obtained by myself, is it then difficult (should I wish to return to the UK immediately after qualifying) to convert to a JAR ATPL. If so, if I had any doubt about my intentions to stay long term in NZ, would it be far wiser to pay the extra money and obtain it in the UK?

2. Once qualified with my NZ ATPL, can a UK citizen actually apply for NZ pilot jobs, or will I require to obtain residency prior to applying? Or could I fly on a work visa / permit? Once I obtain my licence I would like to STAY in NZ long term and not return to the UK - is this feasible?

I would really appreciate ANY advice, or comment on flying training in New Zealand and living and working in there as a commercial pilot.

Look forward to hearing your comments.

Cheers.

Converting you NZ licence to a UK ATPL is a massive undertaking. I know, I did it...

You will need to become a NZ resident to fly for a NZ airline. That may not be such a massive undertaking, however you will then pit yourself against hundreds of NZers looking for a handful of jobs. I know, I came to the UK to avoid this!

Getting into Air NZ or any of the Link companies is also a major accomplishment - many fall by the wayside.

The grass is not always greener. NZ is a fantastic place, however the UK job market is a lot bigger...

NZ is indeed a beautiful country and a top notch place to train.

However the commercial aviation industry back there is completely screwed up. The UK is an aviation employment paradise by comparison.

You won't get into even the most lowly of 19-seat commuter turboprop RHS jobs, without something like 1500 TT and several hundred multi engine. Even then, you'll be lucky to be earning NZ$30,000 for your efforts. It can take several years and several more thousand hours to get into the left seat of that same poxy 19-seater and maybe earning $50 or $60K. Here in the UK you'd be expecting a Boeing or Airbus command in the same kind of time frame (and obviously earning in the £70-90K range for doing so).

The problem is a simple one - the flying schools pump out between 400 and 600 CPL's a year and Air NZ (the only big-jet airline, the job everyone's waiting for) hires maybe 20 or 30 people a year. In some years it hires none at all. Then there's little or no movement in the turboprop regionals either, and basically no jobs for anyone looking for their first start. Despite the best intentions and best abilities of so many recently trained pilots, the flying career is just not forthcoming in NZ due to simple supply and demand.

That's why me and so many of my countrymen (& women) are to be found filling up flightdecks in other parts of the world, Europe and Asia and the Middle East are all riddled with expat kiwis and aussie pilots.

A lot of us would love to go home to live for all the reasons you've stated but not many of us ever will, except to retire.

The long term immigration issue is an entirely separate one, it's not my area of expertise but I would guess that there is absolutely zero chance that a local airline would be able to - or indeed be interested in - sponsoring a foreign national for a work visa. You might qualify under the points-based immigration lottery system, especially if you've got family already there. Or else you could just take the easy option, find yourself some kiwi girl and bust out that diamond ring :)

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news mate, feel free to PM me for any specific info you may desire

cheers

- Luke ST

I couldnt agree more with the above posts.

I am a ex-kiwi and after working my butt off for GA companies for 2 years with below min wage (this has to be done to get your hours up) and with over 1000hrs now a couple of houndred multi I was still a little below what was needed for B1900

So here I am doing a conversion, as I believe the chances of jobs here are way better. Progression is anyway.

In air NZ you will be a 2nd officer for about 7 years before moving on.

Cant take away that doing the training in NZ is a good thing, the scenary is amazing and there is some amazing flying to be done there.

Thanks for all your comments and advice guys. Really useful to hear.