New Zealand - Training Schools and Job Prospects
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: South Island NZ
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I trained with Bruce in 02 was fantastic did my private at home with Simon Spencer-Bowers in wanaka which is great when you fly with him but that doesnt happen very often thats why I went with Bruce.
He had close to 20 000 hrs then on everything from 22's right up to Aircranes, he taught you how to do stuff in the commercial world plus the amount of pilots you meet that just pop in to his hangar for a cuppa is invaluable it meant that I got a couple of job offers through that alone.
And as everyone knows it who you know not what you know.
The other thing is that he only takes on a couple of guys at a time which is great I blew out 100 hrs in 7 weeks I met a guy who was training at heliflight he nearly fell over when I told him that he had only managed 10 hours in the same time due to there booking system and he was also full time.
Well hope this helps
He had close to 20 000 hrs then on everything from 22's right up to Aircranes, he taught you how to do stuff in the commercial world plus the amount of pilots you meet that just pop in to his hangar for a cuppa is invaluable it meant that I got a couple of job offers through that alone.
And as everyone knows it who you know not what you know.
The other thing is that he only takes on a couple of guys at a time which is great I blew out 100 hrs in 7 weeks I met a guy who was training at heliflight he nearly fell over when I told him that he had only managed 10 hours in the same time due to there booking system and he was also full time.
Well hope this helps
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motueka - Natuurlik!
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I trained with Bruce in 02 was fantastic did my private at home with Simon Spencer-Bowers in wanaka which is great when you fly with him but that doesnt happen very often thats why I went with Bruce.
He had close to 20 000 hrs then on everything from 22's right up to Aircranes, he taught you how to do stuff in the commercial world plus the amount of pilots you meet that just pop in to his hangar for a cuppa is invaluable it meant that I got a couple of job offers through that alone.
And as everyone knows it who you know not what you know.
The other thing is that he only takes on a couple of guys at a time which is great I blew out 100 hrs in 7 weeks I met a guy who was training at heliflight he nearly fell over when I told him that he had only managed 10 hours in the same time due to there booking system and he was also full time.
Well hope this helps
He had close to 20 000 hrs then on everything from 22's right up to Aircranes, he taught you how to do stuff in the commercial world plus the amount of pilots you meet that just pop in to his hangar for a cuppa is invaluable it meant that I got a couple of job offers through that alone.
And as everyone knows it who you know not what you know.
The other thing is that he only takes on a couple of guys at a time which is great I blew out 100 hrs in 7 weeks I met a guy who was training at heliflight he nearly fell over when I told him that he had only managed 10 hours in the same time due to there booking system and he was also full time.
Well hope this helps
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New Zealand
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You might be out of luck there matey, Bell 47s are rare now in NZ and most 206s are on Ag work. Helipro have a range of machines in their fleet but I don't think they have any light Bells. They are in Palmerston North and Wellington.
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Just been in the South Island for a month. Self fly hire is getting hard to find due to high accident rates. The only place I found was Wanaka helicopters who would allow you to fly in the company of an FI, but no SFH.
Most companies seem to be using single Squirrels. Wanaka has R44 and R22. Perhaps we should all club together and base a chopper out there for private 'club' use....
It's a great place to fly and a damn shame there are so few places...if any to SFH.
Most companies seem to be using single Squirrels. Wanaka has R44 and R22. Perhaps we should all club together and base a chopper out there for private 'club' use....
It's a great place to fly and a damn shame there are so few places...if any to SFH.
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Suggestions for New Zealand Helicopter Training Schools
I've done a certain amount of flying and am planning to continue on to obtain my CPL(H).
I am keen to find a professional and well regarded helicopter training school in New Zealand (one regarded very well, especially in the UK)
Can anyone suggest any Helicopter training schools in New Zealand and any that they would recommend and/or give some background on their approach/set-up?
Cheers, many thanks, any help very welcome
I am keen to find a professional and well regarded helicopter training school in New Zealand (one regarded very well, especially in the UK)
Can anyone suggest any Helicopter training schools in New Zealand and any that they would recommend and/or give some background on their approach/set-up?
Cheers, many thanks, any help very welcome
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Wanaka Heli
Recommend Wanaka Helicopters, Simon Spencer Bower the cheif pilot has a good reputation as an instructor, over 10000 hours in robbys. Most of that as an instructor.
Join Date: May 2005
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I second Wanaka though I havent flown there.
If you find yourself having to base yourself in Auckland try
Ardmore Helicopters in South Auckland. CPO is an ex-mil pilot
with much broad experience in the industry (A320 driver, Warbird pilot)
Lots of international students also
If you find yourself having to base yourself in Auckland try
Ardmore Helicopters in South Auckland. CPO is an ex-mil pilot
with much broad experience in the industry (A320 driver, Warbird pilot)
Lots of international students also
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Where streams of whisky are flowing
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I would highly recommend Simon Spencer Bower having flown with him many years ago. He's a gent and will look after you.
He will teach you alot for the real world of flying and he gets things across very well, which not all instructors are able to do.
The mountain flying down around that part of the world is great, you'll have alot of fun flying with someone like him.
Cheers
V
He will teach you alot for the real world of flying and he gets things across very well, which not all instructors are able to do.
The mountain flying down around that part of the world is great, you'll have alot of fun flying with someone like him.
Cheers
V
Join Date: Nov 2006
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NZ heli training
Wanakas good,unfortunately you won't do a lot of flying with Simon , only the advanced stuff.
That said I believe his instructors do it " his way "
Simons recognised as the highest time robbie instructor in the world, gotta be some value in that sort of experience !
Garden City in Christchurch are doing a fine job for me, as long as you are good with self study
best of luck
aldee
That said I believe his instructors do it " his way "
Simons recognised as the highest time robbie instructor in the world, gotta be some value in that sort of experience !
Garden City in Christchurch are doing a fine job for me, as long as you are good with self study
best of luck
aldee
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Heli-Flight NZ
Thanks guys, that's all great information and a good help.
I had been directed towards Heli-Flight in Ardmore (auckland) and masterton (near wellington), any views or comments on them?
They operate 3 schwitzer aircraft and some turbine aircraft too and have a good number of instructors.
cheers,
Greenfox
I had been directed towards Heli-Flight in Ardmore (auckland) and masterton (near wellington), any views or comments on them?
They operate 3 schwitzer aircraft and some turbine aircraft too and have a good number of instructors.
cheers,
Greenfox
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I've done my flying in Wanaka, too. Great mountain flying! As fas I know Ardmore for example has a lot traffic and you'll learn to fly in busy airspace. You'll get experience in flying controlled airspace in south island, too. But You won't get that much mountain flying experience in Ardmore... Those who have flown there can be more specific. I would recommend you to think what sort of flying are you trying to get after you have your CPL. In my opinion flying in mountains will prepare you in flying your helicopter and learn its limits. Flying in busy airspace helps you to speak with the tower. The tower will tell you where to fly... My two cents...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NZ Southern Alps
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Antti has a good point, if you want to fly in mountainous terrain it makes sense to learn there. If this is less of a factor for you, then . . .
Undoubtedly, though, YOU are the one who will make a difference for you. Flying helis is not a team sport and it's not a race. It's probably one of the most individual pursuits upon which you may embark. Think about what YOU want out of it and apply YOURself to it. Do this ALL of the time throughout your career. Keep a 'can do' attitude and get ready for a whole pile of 'No thankses' from many people you will approach for a job.
When you have a couple of thousand hours under your belt you probably won't care much where you learned to fly, and no one else will either to be honest. At that stage your actual flying experience to date will be the determining factor in what your immediate future will bring you. Your recollection of your flying school will be that you felt you got value for your money and had a pretty good time getting that value or it will be that you didn't.
Enjoy your time in the air, regardless of where it happens to be.
GP
Undoubtedly, though, YOU are the one who will make a difference for you. Flying helis is not a team sport and it's not a race. It's probably one of the most individual pursuits upon which you may embark. Think about what YOU want out of it and apply YOURself to it. Do this ALL of the time throughout your career. Keep a 'can do' attitude and get ready for a whole pile of 'No thankses' from many people you will approach for a job.
When you have a couple of thousand hours under your belt you probably won't care much where you learned to fly, and no one else will either to be honest. At that stage your actual flying experience to date will be the determining factor in what your immediate future will bring you. Your recollection of your flying school will be that you felt you got value for your money and had a pretty good time getting that value or it will be that you didn't.
Enjoy your time in the air, regardless of where it happens to be.
GP
Join Date: May 2005
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I think these days its imperative to look beyond the training and figure out your first job.
Thats why training with a commercial operator carris some weight, although
not all will employ all their new CPLs.
I timed it right with Ardmore and went straight to scenics,banner towing and
photography after my CPL. I didnt need to spend any money hour building for an instructors rating.
If you choose right you can avoid the long wait from getting your license to your first job that many low hour pilots get stuck in.
Thats why training with a commercial operator carris some weight, although
not all will employ all their new CPLs.
I timed it right with Ardmore and went straight to scenics,banner towing and
photography after my CPL. I didnt need to spend any money hour building for an instructors rating.
If you choose right you can avoid the long wait from getting your license to your first job that many low hour pilots get stuck in.
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Flight Schools in New Zealand
Hi Guys, thanks for that input.
Any other suggestions (further to Ardmore Helicopters) for a good professional helicopter training school in New Zealand?
Does anyone know if Heli-Flight Services in Ardmore, Auckland are any good? They have three new Schwitzer 300CBi 's and seem to be a good set-up.
Any help would be of great benifit,
Cheers,
GreenFox
Any other suggestions (further to Ardmore Helicopters) for a good professional helicopter training school in New Zealand?
Does anyone know if Heli-Flight Services in Ardmore, Auckland are any good? They have three new Schwitzer 300CBi 's and seem to be a good set-up.
Any help would be of great benifit,
Cheers,
GreenFox
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NZ
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Anyone have an approx figure on the amount of CPLs training in
the country per year over all the schools.
I guessing 15 per year CPL 150-170hrs into the job hunt.?
Not sure on average how many jobs would be there for them.
Sure the loans are interest free now, but still a bit of cash there to
go all the way.
I'm close to jumping into this challenge
the country per year over all the schools.
I guessing 15 per year CPL 150-170hrs into the job hunt.?
Not sure on average how many jobs would be there for them.
Sure the loans are interest free now, but still a bit of cash there to
go all the way.
I'm close to jumping into this challenge
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Hey Greenfox
You seem to be looking for a school that trains in H300's.
Don't worry about what machine you train in, even if it's a Bell 47, that's where some of the best drivers started...
Experience is experience. If you want to fly mainly H300's, what does it matter when you go back to Ol Blighty that you have R22 time in your log book?
I have heard from Oz good things about flying in Wanaka and I can only assume that they mean Simon. (See earlier posts). If I want mountain experience, that's where I'm going. (Plus the trout fishing is legendary)
You asked which companies in NZ have a good reputation in the UK. Ask people in the UK, don't ask in NZ! Ask the person that you want to get a job with who they recomend, they are the one you are trying to impress.
If it is a PPL that you are chasing, then go with the school that has already been recomended. You can add endorsements later if you want to fly a particular machine. The only hassle is not having 100 hours on type for insurance purposes if you try to privately hire it. Again ask the company that you will hire from what their stipulation is before you train.
Just food for thought. Good luck.
Don't worry about what machine you train in, even if it's a Bell 47, that's where some of the best drivers started...
Experience is experience. If you want to fly mainly H300's, what does it matter when you go back to Ol Blighty that you have R22 time in your log book?
I have heard from Oz good things about flying in Wanaka and I can only assume that they mean Simon. (See earlier posts). If I want mountain experience, that's where I'm going. (Plus the trout fishing is legendary)
You asked which companies in NZ have a good reputation in the UK. Ask people in the UK, don't ask in NZ! Ask the person that you want to get a job with who they recomend, they are the one you are trying to impress.
If it is a PPL that you are chasing, then go with the school that has already been recomended. You can add endorsements later if you want to fly a particular machine. The only hassle is not having 100 hours on type for insurance purposes if you try to privately hire it. Again ask the company that you will hire from what their stipulation is before you train.
Just food for thought. Good luck.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motueka - Natuurlik!
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I did my flight-training with Nelson Aviation College in Motueka because of a few reasons. Some being:
1. Good weather (I know of students in other parts of NZ who couldn’t / can’t fly for weeks at a time because of bad wx)
2. The ground school (Regarded as the best ground-school in NZ, some other flight-schools actually send their students there to complete their CPL-subjects.)
I guess every person would promote their own school anyway…
I did my CPL flight-test with Simon Spencer-Bower and learned heaps in just that short time. Truly amazing pilot. I would recommend flying with him whenever you get the opportunity.
Happy hunting…
db
1. Good weather (I know of students in other parts of NZ who couldn’t / can’t fly for weeks at a time because of bad wx)
2. The ground school (Regarded as the best ground-school in NZ, some other flight-schools actually send their students there to complete their CPL-subjects.)
I guess every person would promote their own school anyway…
I did my CPL flight-test with Simon Spencer-Bower and learned heaps in just that short time. Truly amazing pilot. I would recommend flying with him whenever you get the opportunity.
Happy hunting…
db