New Zealand - Training Schools and Job Prospects
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: new zealand
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One other thing that I think needs clarification from my original comment.
At no time did I suggest that HFT or any other school for that matter lacked experience in it's staff and I know what that HFT has gone out of it's way to ensure commercial experience within it's staff.
What I suggested was there is a lack of experience in the helicopter training industry with experience when dealing with "international students" especially if one compares to the amount of fixed wing instructors with thousands of hours training foreign students.
It was my belief that HFT were in a position to address this by accessing instructors who have trained international and in particular Indian students and understands the needs and requirements for those students.
We all clear now?
At no time did I suggest that HFT or any other school for that matter lacked experience in it's staff and I know what that HFT has gone out of it's way to ensure commercial experience within it's staff.
What I suggested was there is a lack of experience in the helicopter training industry with experience when dealing with "international students" especially if one compares to the amount of fixed wing instructors with thousands of hours training foreign students.
It was my belief that HFT were in a position to address this by accessing instructors who have trained international and in particular Indian students and understands the needs and requirements for those students.
We all clear now?
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Auckland
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Pdex
Yes, from what i seen of their website and location, very professional.
I'm assuming you went on to complete the instructor course with them.
I'm also looking at doing CPL-H then move on to instructor rating with them.
Whats the average salary as an instructor.?
I'm looking at the size of the student loan. CPL 94k + 30k (not listed on the site)?
Having it been interest free helps.
But I'm trying to get an idea with the general cost of living
with the average yearly salary ,get an estimate on how long to pay my loan back
Thanks
Yes, from what i seen of their website and location, very professional.
I'm assuming you went on to complete the instructor course with them.
I'm also looking at doing CPL-H then move on to instructor rating with them.
Whats the average salary as an instructor.?
I'm looking at the size of the student loan. CPL 94k + 30k (not listed on the site)?
Having it been interest free helps.
But I'm trying to get an idea with the general cost of living
with the average yearly salary ,get an estimate on how long to pay my loan back
Thanks
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Zealand
Age: 31
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shoreline Helicopters
I am starting my CPL-H next year and need some advice. I am enrolled in the theory course with Helipro to complete all theory subjects before I start flying. Then I am either going to do my flying with them and take advantage of the student loan scheme and should have completed my CPL by the end of next year. Or I have been recently talking to a couple of local (Hawkes Bay) pilots and they have recommended to start working as ground crew and fly in spare time with Rick Graham Welcome to shorelinehelicopters.co.nz . This would take at least 2 years but would it mean I am more employable? I am wanting to eventually become an ag pilot and am 18 years old.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Pacific
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Peely.
There are a lot of jobs out there. Oil gas & mining exploration is booming in some parts.
I know several companies that cannot fill their rosters. Much depends on whether or not the individual has the spine and/or guts to get out of their comfort zone and what kind of flying they want to do.
Lots of white glove helo pilots being spat out nowadays with no real marrow in their bones. Limp.
I am not personally hearing of heaps of pilots looking for work.
There are a lot of jobs out there. Oil gas & mining exploration is booming in some parts.
I know several companies that cannot fill their rosters. Much depends on whether or not the individual has the spine and/or guts to get out of their comfort zone and what kind of flying they want to do.
Lots of white glove helo pilots being spat out nowadays with no real marrow in their bones. Limp.
I am not personally hearing of heaps of pilots looking for work.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NZ
Age: 46
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Attn: Lowry
g'day Lowry.. My advice for you at 18 years of age and keen to get into Ag flying is.. yes, do a couple years loading first... before you do your license.. you are going to have to anyway with the new CAA regulations (coming into effect in Jan) before you can even start your Ag Rating.. and after a couple years if you still like Ag then your a better man than most 
...
You should not be in any rush either.. it will take years to work your way into the industry.. 3-5 years loading before an offer of a flying job is common... its a career.. so dont feel the need to rush out and get it all done at once... (talk to as many commercial operators and pilots as you can, who dont really care where you spend your money. Not training schools, as they have a vested interest in your Training $$) make contacts/friends and work hard, as jobs are rarely advertised in Ag.. its all who you know and who knows you..
Also... on the plus side of loading, you will get a solid grounding in practical production flying (by watching and learning ) and a good skill set when it gets to be your turn.. And.. loader/drivers often get to do a bit of ferry flying.. which is a cheap way to build up time.. Best of luck mate...
... You should not be in any rush either.. it will take years to work your way into the industry.. 3-5 years loading before an offer of a flying job is common... its a career.. so dont feel the need to rush out and get it all done at once... (talk to as many commercial operators and pilots as you can, who dont really care where you spend your money. Not training schools, as they have a vested interest in your Training $$) make contacts/friends and work hard, as jobs are rarely advertised in Ag.. its all who you know and who knows you..
Also... on the plus side of loading, you will get a solid grounding in practical production flying (by watching and learning ) and a good skill set when it gets to be your turn.. And.. loader/drivers often get to do a bit of ferry flying.. which is a cheap way to build up time.. Best of luck mate...
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Zealand
Age: 52
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lowry, if you want to get into Ag then R22million is spot on the money. do your theory wherever you want, but go to Rick or someone like him, for the training. Forget any of the big training schools they have guys who don't even know how to fly, trying to teach you how to fly. And job wise, if i was looking for another new, or even experienced pilot, Rick is one of the guys in the game that i would take a recomendation from.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: AGL
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rick at Shoreline is "old school."
Some would criticise that and say a more "professional" training organisation would be better.
IMHO you can learn more from the "old school" trainers than you ever will from the "professional" at Ardmore or somewhere. It is far easier to retrospectively lift your professional standards, if that is even required, to meet todays PC bulls**t world, than it is to learn the skills required to stay alive in the first place from a career instructor.
I say that as advice specifically for somebody contemplating the ag/utility sector. It might be different for a career in the IFR/corporate type of role.
Some would criticise that and say a more "professional" training organisation would be better.
IMHO you can learn more from the "old school" trainers than you ever will from the "professional" at Ardmore or somewhere. It is far easier to retrospectively lift your professional standards, if that is even required, to meet todays PC bulls**t world, than it is to learn the skills required to stay alive in the first place from a career instructor.
I say that as advice specifically for somebody contemplating the ag/utility sector. It might be different for a career in the IFR/corporate type of role.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Zealand
Age: 52
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lowry, it would be hard getting a job with me sorry, you would be best looking at someone with 22's or 300's. go get yourself 5000 odd hrs of good utility ops, no accidents, sling and long line expertise, then give me a call...
Right at the moment i don't know of any Ag operators in NZ that are looking for pilots, particularly junior pilots. Sorry, it may get better at some stage, but at the moment there is a huge oversupply of Helicopters in NZ and there are way more pilots than helicopters...
I know of quite a few NZ ag/utility pilots that are heading up to PNG, good money up there, better than what you get at home for most.
Right at the moment i don't know of any Ag operators in NZ that are looking for pilots, particularly junior pilots. Sorry, it may get better at some stage, but at the moment there is a huge oversupply of Helicopters in NZ and there are way more pilots than helicopters...
I know of quite a few NZ ag/utility pilots that are heading up to PNG, good money up there,
better than what you get at home for most.
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Multi Engine Jobs
Hi all, sorry to change the subject slightly. I am a Kiwi currently flying helos in the Royal Navy and am looking at my options for the future. I want to come back home to start flying commercially and bring up my young family in NZ. I should have around 2000 hrs (all single and multi turbine time) when I finish in a few years, and will have a JAA CPL(H) with frozen ATPL(H) theory credits.
I am (as everyone seems to be) trying to get a feeling for the state of the NZ industry at the moment and how people think things will go over the coming years. Reading some earlier posts it doesn’t seem to encouraging.
Jobs wise I would love to get into the rescue helicopter scene. Are these difficult jobs to get into for someone of my hours/ experience? I saw a job ad for the Auckland rescue unit recently that had 2000 hrs as a minimum so I’m guessing this is fairly standard. Other than this and offshore flying what other work is out there on multi’s?
My other questions are (and please excuse any naivety!):
I realise that’s a lot of questions so I would appreciate any answers/ advice that anyone can give me.
Cheers,
Mac.
I am (as everyone seems to be) trying to get a feeling for the state of the NZ industry at the moment and how people think things will go over the coming years. Reading some earlier posts it doesn’t seem to encouraging.
Jobs wise I would love to get into the rescue helicopter scene. Are these difficult jobs to get into for someone of my hours/ experience? I saw a job ad for the Auckland rescue unit recently that had 2000 hrs as a minimum so I’m guessing this is fairly standard. Other than this and offshore flying what other work is out there on multi’s?
My other questions are (and please excuse any naivety!):
- Would I need a type rating before applying for a certain job or do these get done “on the job”?
- How easy will it be to convert my UK licence to a Kiwi one?
- I was planning to do an instrument rating once in NZ as I assume this would be much cheaper. Is this the case or should I do it here?
- The one I’m sure you’re sick of hearing! What sort of salary/ pay am I looking at with my level of experience?
I realise that’s a lot of questions so I would appreciate any answers/ advice that anyone can give me.
Cheers,
Mac.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: AGL
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
- Would I need a type rating before applying for a certain job or do these get done “on the job”?
- How easy will it be to convert my UK licence to a Kiwi one?
- I was planning to do an instrument rating once in NZ as I assume this would be much cheaper. Is this the case or should I do it here?
- The one I’m sure you’re sick of hearing! What sort of salary/ pay am I looking at with my level of experience?
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry all that turned out a bit long winded. It didn't look that bad before I posted it. Thanks for the reply EBCAU, food for thought. As I said it would be interesting to see peoples views on how they recon the industry will look in a few years time?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Where my blades stop turning
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had a bit to do with Garden City and can definitely recommend them out of your list of three, either in Nelson or Ch Ch.
BUT, I still say go see 'Mark Law' in Whakatane at Frontier Helicopters, you wont find a nicer guy, good place to train and he is out there working not just training! I haven't caught up with him for a while, but he used to sort out accommodation for the students, and he has a scenic op running, so maybe more chance of a job than with the others you mentioned and he knows a lot of people in the industry.
Doesn't hurt to talk to him!
BUT, I still say go see 'Mark Law' in Whakatane at Frontier Helicopters, you wont find a nicer guy, good place to train and he is out there working not just training! I haven't caught up with him for a while, but he used to sort out accommodation for the students, and he has a scenic op running, so maybe more chance of a job than with the others you mentioned and he knows a lot of people in the industry.
Doesn't hurt to talk to him!
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Auckland
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hows the New Zealand Helicopter industry going lately?
be interesting what you guys think.
Are foreign students now in the market, perhaps from China or India, or locals using the student loan scheme still the main income.
Are there jobs out there at there moment for those just finished their
CPL-Hs with 150-200Hrs?
About me
I did my CPL years ago (2006) in Wellington, but after no luck finding work, taken a few years off to pay off loans.I'm not current, due to the costs, medical certs etc., current hrs etc.
3 on the same course as me are no longer in the industry.
1 in Aussies driving road trains, another in the building
Wondering if it's worth getting back, or same when i left.
be interesting what you guys think.
Are foreign students now in the market, perhaps from China or India, or locals using the student loan scheme still the main income.
Are there jobs out there at there moment for those just finished their
CPL-Hs with 150-200Hrs?
About me
I did my CPL years ago (2006) in Wellington, but after no luck finding work, taken a few years off to pay off loans.I'm not current, due to the costs, medical certs etc., current hrs etc.
3 on the same course as me are no longer in the industry.
1 in Aussies driving road trains, another in the building
Wondering if it's worth getting back, or same when i left.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: landdownunder
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What are these guys smoking? what ever happened to young guys being hungry for a job and wanting to get off their arse and sweep hangar floors -and generally take the bull by the horns and go find a job,instead off sitting on their backsides and asking silly questions on the net-why would any operator want a clown that clearly shows no initiative-you wouldn't want to let them out of your sight.
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: scotland
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ouch
Can't imagine what the responce would have been if New Zealand had lost Sunday
I was asking for a bit of info that might help get this thread reinvigorated. SAR and oil and gas over here in Scotland are great places for a low time pilot to get started and might give no-fly-zone a bit of encouragement.
Don't loose hart no-fly-zone it appears it is ok for him to put up a post on rotorheads to ask a bunch of pilots about fasting glucose levels
but don't ask any questions yourself about flying here better check with your doctor.
I had a 7 week trip to New Zealand a couple of months ago and loved the place and the people and would seriously consider looking for a job there myself in a couple of years, however, sounds like 5,500 hours sindle/multi P1 will just get me a cleaning job!
Can't imagine what the responce would have been if New Zealand had lost SundayI was asking for a bit of info that might help get this thread reinvigorated. SAR and oil and gas over here in Scotland are great places for a low time pilot to get started and might give no-fly-zone a bit of encouragement.
Don't loose hart no-fly-zone it appears it is ok for him to put up a post on rotorheads to ask a bunch of pilots about fasting glucose levels
but don't ask any questions yourself about flying here better check with your doctor.I had a 7 week trip to New Zealand a couple of months ago and loved the place and the people and would seriously consider looking for a job there myself in a couple of years, however, sounds like 5,500 hours sindle/multi P1 will just get me a cleaning job!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: landdownunder
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Smudge I didn't intend to insult you,-
I also didn't post the question about fasting Glucose levels on Rotorheads forum that was posted on the health forum where Doctors answers questions and where incidently you will be able to find out about the CAA requirements for reading glasses.
It wasn't your post I was refering to,it was no-fly zones, it seems ironic that a pilot has to ask on the net wether or not it is worth getting back into flying!
Shouldn't he be the one asking himself that question?, and if he was serious about his chosen career path and had worked for years to realise his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot the answer would be obvious. Young guys getting into the industry in NZ do get jobs and get themselves ahead and progress but they need to make it happen, sitting back wondering and hopeing someone will answer that for them dosen't install a great deal of confidence in me.
I have noticed a great decline in new commercial pilots attitudes to getting out and finding the first break since the introduction of student loans-where one day they decide to become helicopter pilot,get the money handed to them gain a CPL and wonder 'What happens now?-where has the keenness and passion gone. If I was employing the first question I would ask is what path did you take to get your licence?. Don't get me wrong if someone was throwing money around when I trained I would have grabbed it with both hands but there needs to be a hunger and passion and drive and to me it seems alot of new pilots lack this, I blame it on easy money.
I also didn't post the question about fasting Glucose levels on Rotorheads forum that was posted on the health forum where Doctors answers questions and where incidently you will be able to find out about the CAA requirements for reading glasses.
It wasn't your post I was refering to,it was no-fly zones, it seems ironic that a pilot has to ask on the net wether or not it is worth getting back into flying!
Shouldn't he be the one asking himself that question?, and if he was serious about his chosen career path and had worked for years to realise his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot the answer would be obvious. Young guys getting into the industry in NZ do get jobs and get themselves ahead and progress but they need to make it happen, sitting back wondering and hopeing someone will answer that for them dosen't install a great deal of confidence in me.
I have noticed a great decline in new commercial pilots attitudes to getting out and finding the first break since the introduction of student loans-where one day they decide to become helicopter pilot,get the money handed to them gain a CPL and wonder 'What happens now?-where has the keenness and passion gone. If I was employing the first question I would ask is what path did you take to get your licence?. Don't get me wrong if someone was throwing money around when I trained I would have grabbed it with both hands but there needs to be a hunger and passion and drive and to me it seems alot of new pilots lack this, I blame it on easy money.
Last edited by Granny; 26th Oct 2011 at 02:40.
Granny I'm hearing ya!! I just don't see the hunger and passion in these young guys that you need to succeed in this industry!
We looking for ground crew at the moment and it amazes me the attitude of these fresh CPL's !!!
Had 3 or 4 guys call up about the job , told them what job initials and told them no flying to begin with . Both our other low time ground crew are ferrying turbines around and there will be this for the new bloke too BUT not one of them has come down to have an interview and boss even offered to pay their fuel !!!
Seems to me that if they dont get a flying job they are not interested , really gets me wound up as back when I got my CPL ( and most other guys I knew ) traveled around the country , sleep in my car sold every thing I owned just to get a start .....sweeping hangers and surprise , surprise it led to flying.
If you have to ask yourself if its worth getting back into flying, the answer is no.
We looking for ground crew at the moment and it amazes me the attitude of these fresh CPL's !!!
Had 3 or 4 guys call up about the job , told them what job initials and told them no flying to begin with . Both our other low time ground crew are ferrying turbines around and there will be this for the new bloke too BUT not one of them has come down to have an interview and boss even offered to pay their fuel !!!
Seems to me that if they dont get a flying job they are not interested , really gets me wound up as back when I got my CPL ( and most other guys I knew ) traveled around the country , sleep in my car sold every thing I owned just to get a start .....sweeping hangers and surprise , surprise it led to flying.
If you have to ask yourself if its worth getting back into flying, the answer is no.