The NZS.com Flight Training in New Zealand article contains information about flight schools and aero clubs in New Zealand, and the history of flight training in NZ.
Flight Training History and Flight Training Schools in New Zealand
Training for private and commercial pilot licenses is available at many flying schools throughout the country. Learning to fly in a Tiger Moth at the local aero club is now a thing of the past, and flight training in New Zealand is now a multi-million dollar business, training student pilots from all over the world.
History
Formal pilot training in New Zealand goes back to the early 1930s when rudimentary training for private pilot licenses was available at local aero clubs.
With clouds of war looming over Europe in the late 1930s, the New Zealand government established a civilian reserve of pilots trained by aero clubs, and at the outbreak of war in 1939, this reserve of pilots was incorporated into the RNZAF. Aero clubs were often taken over by the Air Force as rudimentary flying schools, and airfields and facilities formed the nucleus of many RNZAF airfields.
By the time peace arrived in 1945 and aero clubs resumed operations, aviation in New Zealand had changed. Many New Zealanders had acquired military flying experience, and large numbers of surplus aircraft were available, and the era of commercial aviation, particularly agricultural aviation, had arrived. Aero clubs rapidly took up the challenge of satisfying the increased demand for pilot training.
The first full-time courses for civilian pilot licenses were established by the Wanganui aero club's Commercial Pilots School. Established in 1954, the school trained pilots for agricultural and general commercial work.
Flight Training Today
Flight training in New Zealand is provided by flying schools and aero clubs registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and approved under Part 141 (Training Organisation Certification) of the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZCAA) rules.
Students receiving flight training offered by approved flying schools and aero clubs are eligible for student loans if the courses are offered in conjunction with a tertiary education institution.
Tertiary Education Institutions offer diplomas, degrees, and post-graduate degrees in aviation-related subjects. Flight training associated with these qualifications is offered in conjunction with approved flying schools.
All organisations approved for student loans are members of the Aviation Industry Association (AIA), and follow the association's code of practice for professional flight training. As of late 2008, 5 tertiary education institutions, 18 flying schools, and 41 aero clubs were AIA members.
Flying Schools are established solely for the purpose providing professional flight training, and employ experienced instructors and provide comprehensive facilities for training including classrooms, simulators, and aircraft.
Services offered by flying schools range from novice level training for microlite certificates and private pilot licenses, commercial pilot licenses, and more comprehensive training for instrument, instructor, and multi-engine ratings, and more specialised instruction (e.g. mountain flying, handling of dangerous goods, and GPS navigation). Some schools also offer NZQA accredited aviation diplomas.
Aero Clubs have moved beyond the traditional format of a few rickety planes on a grass strip, and are subject to comprehensive CAA regulations for aircraft and facilities. Many have established their own approved commercial flying schools, however they still maintain the social activities and recreational and competition flying associated with the traditional aero club.
Going International
In 2006, the AIA received a government grant of $100,000 to develop an export programme for the aviation sector. The Association identified flight training as a one of the sectors with good potential for growth.
Significant growth is forecast for the international aviation industry, and considerable opportunities exist for New Zealand flying schools to provide pilot training to satisfy the growing demand.
Flight training schools have catered for overseas students for a decade or more, and New Zealand pilot licenses are accepted automatically in the United Kingdom and other European countries. Schools commonly arrange accommodation for students, and in conjunction with English language schools, often provide courses in Aviation English for students with English as a second language.
Going beyond the direct training of pilots, Pacific Simulators International Ltd of Christchurch manufactures low-cost flight simulators modeled on the cockpit of the later versions of the Boeing 737 airliner. In September 2008, the company sold its first system to the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Flight Academy for training of airline pilots. Developed by TechNZ, the business investment arm of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, the simulator is designed to supplant rather than replace existing large-scale flight simulators.
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Motoring images from Flickr: Aero Club Como, Traffic Lights and Motorway.
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