Frequently Asked Questions | Flight Training & Aviation Careers from the International Aviation Academy of New Zealand.

1. What advantages does your Academy have?: You are able to train in the professional environment of an international airport if you are aiming to become an airline pilot, it makes sense to train in a working airline environment.

You will have the use of our own satellite airfield at West Melton, 5 minutes flying time from Christchurch Airport. There will be times, particularly at early stages of training, when the quieter environment of our own airfield at West Melton will be a more suitable training ground. West Melton has 6 runway vectors
and is for the exclusive use of our pilots. Christchurch has excellent weather with high sunshine hours.

We have three large training areas and three low flying areas in close proximity.
You will have the use of our large 35 aircraft, single and multi engine fleet. We are the largest operation of our kind in New Zealand.

As a student of the Academy you will receive automatic membership of our parent company, the Canterbury Aero Club. This will give you reciprocal rights to a network of some 50 Aero clubs in New Zealand - thus giving you the advantage of obtaining briefings and "local knowledge" on cross country flights away from your home base.

You will have access to our large engineering facilities which not only provide prompt, safe and efficient "in house" maintenance of our fleet, but allow you a valuable insight into maintenance operations.

Christchurch is a welcoming city with wide open, clean green spaces, pure artesian water drinkable from the tap, a safe and caring community.
2. Which course is suitable for me?: This depends on your final goal.
If your goal is to fly for an airline, you will require a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and a Multi Engine Instrument Rating. Our "Professional Pilot Course" will provide you with these qualifications. If your goal is to work as or for a scenic flying operator, or as an agricultural pilot you will probably only require a CPL. Our CPL course will provide you with this qualification.

If your goal is to work as a Flight Instructor, you will require a CPL and a Flight Instructor Rating.

If your final goal is one of the above, but for reasons of finance or available time you are unable to undertake the complete course, we can offer our PPL/CPL Theory Course. This will give you a full Private Pilot Licence with the theory component of the CPL. This provides an ideal starting platform from which
to complete your CPL at a later date.

If you already have a licence or rating we can provide additional courses or ratings as required.

If you cannot train full time we can structure your course on a part-time basis.
3. What are your course prices?: Please contact us for up to date prices.
4. Are any loans or allowances available?: The Academy's courses are approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and because of this student allowances and loans are available for New Zealand or New Zealand permanent resident students. (www.studylink.govt.nz).
For overseas students, the New Zealand Immigration Authority requires that courses are pre-paid before a Student Visa will be issued. (http://www.immigration.govt.nz) It may be possible for payment to be split into three four month instalments payable in advance of each period.

A visa will be issued for each corresponding period.
5. Is the New Zealand Licence recognised overseas?: The New Zealand CPL is well respected world wide and "Kiwi" Pilots are in demand by many airlines.
The Licence meets the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. In many cases a licence conversion will simply require passing the local flight rules examination, completing a flight test and obtaining a local medical for the type of licence you hold.
6. I hold a foreign licence. How can I convert it to a New Zealand Licence?: All licence version details are on the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority website.
7. Are there any pre-requisites for course entry?: NZ CAA requires that you must be 16 years old to fly solo and 17 years old to hold a Private Pilot's Licence. CAA also requires that a person must be 18 years old to hold a Commercial Pilot's Licence.
The NZ CAA has no minimum educational requirements for a CPL, but high school Maths and Physics are useful.

We do not accept any students (domentic or overseas) under 18 years of age.

Students wishing to access student loan funding will require a minimum of NCEA level 2 or 3 or equivalent, and will be required to pass an entrance assessment.

For domestic students the pre requisites include: NCEA Level 2 or 3 - University Entrance or Bursary.

Language - You must be able to speak, read and write English preferably to IELTS level 6 or TOEFL level 550. For students not meeting minimum standards of English, language courses are available prior to course entry.
8. I wear glasses, will this be a problem?: You will have to meet minimum medical standards, but in most cases this will not be a problem. Many Airline Pilots wear glasses.
We recommend you consult an Aviation Medical Examiner.
9. I have already flown for some hours. Will this affect my training?: Any previous training will be taken into account on a flight check, and this will be assessed on your arrival at the Academy.
A reduction of course fees is likely.
10. Where can I live?: There is plenty of boarding and flatting accommodation available in Christchurch , including the airport area. The approximate cost is NZ$200-$250 per week for full board, or NZ$85-95 per week for rental accommodation. Meals are not included in the course costs but snacks and lunch are available on site at a nominal cost.

See the Christchurch website on www.christchurch.org.nz for more information.
11. Can I work while I am at the Academy?: Students on a student visa can only work up to 15 hours per week if the course they enrolled in is 2 years in length or more. However, it is most important that a job should not be allowed to interfere with the prime objective of training. Students should not expect part-time work to pay for their course, but wages can subsidise living expenses.
12. Is a job guaranteed?: We will provide you with a high standard of training and the accompanying skills required for you to be employed in your chosen sector of aviation. We cannot guarantee you a job.
As with any training, your ability to convert learned skills into employment is up to you - how you seek the opportunities and make the most of those presented to you. The demand for well trained and qualified pilots worldwide remains very high. Our graduates hold flying positions in many parts of the world and throughout New Zealand.