F A Q

Can anybody learn to fly?

Yes! Experience has taught us that if you can drive a car, then you can fly an aeroplane. The hardest part is deciding when to start. Whether you want to become a Private Pilot and fly for pleasure, or begin a career in flying, then enthusiasm and determination are the two main things you will need.

And once you begin flying, the world will never look the same again. Once you have a pilot licence the possibilities are enormous.

Remember that the pilot of the last airliner you flew on was once - NOT A PILOT. 

Is there any difference between private flying schools and aero clubs?

Yes. While the training syllabus at different Schools and Clubs will be quite similar (because the Regulations are very specific about what is required), you will find differences in other areas:

At NZ International Commercial Pilot Academy we have no joining fees, we strive to give our customers the best possible service, to maintain a very high standard of training and aircraft, and to provide competitive rates. Our success depends on our customers' satisfaction.

Is flying safe?

Flying is very safe. The majority of pilots have never been in any kind of flying accident or incident - not even a small one. Compare that with driving - how many drivers do you know that have never even scratched the paint or damaged the bumper of their car? A substantial portion of your PPL training is devoted to comprehensive safety and emergency training. At NZ International Commercial Pilot Academy we place a very high priority on safety and emergency procedures, making sure that all our students meet a very high standard of competence in their flying.

Browse the website for more information or please feel free to call in, or telephone and talk to one of our staff. See the Contact page for our email address and how to find us! - We're here to help you.

What is a Commercial Pilot Licence?

A 'CPL' is the first stage of your flying career. You work towards a CPL after gaining your Private Pilot Licence (PPL). The holder of a CPL is entitled to carry fare-paying passengers and can fly anywhere within New Zealand. A CPL is the basic licence required before you can apply for flying jobs, although there are further qualifications that you will need for most commercial work. These include 'ratings' such as an Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating, and Instructors Rating, to name a few.

How do I get a CPL?

If you are starting from scratch, the first thing you need to do is get a Private Pilot Licence. A PPL requires a minimum of 50 hours flight training, along with some theory exams. The minimum requirement for a CPL is 200 hours flight time; so after you have gained your PPL you need to build up a further 150 hours flight time. Approximately 40 hours of this will need to be advanced flight training in preparation for your CPL flight test. The rest of the time can be made up of a combination of recreational flying and training either for pleasure, or for the advancement of your flying skills. The theory for the CPL covers the same subject areas as for a PPL but in more depth. There are 6 theory exams at CPL level: Navigation, Meteorology, Aviation Law, Aircraft Technology, Principles of Flight, and Human Factors in Aviation as well as the Flight Radio Telephone Operators Licence which you gained before sitting your PPL.

Follow these links for more information -  Commercial Pilot Licence   NZ Diploma In Aviation Aeroplane (General Aviation)

Are there any age limits?

Anyone of any age can learn to fly. However, you must be 16 years to fly solo, 17 years to gain a Private Pilot Licence and 18 years or over to gain a Commercial Pilot Licence.

What are the medical requirements?

The medical assessment for all pilots are carried out by a Civil Aviation-approved doctor. If you are of good average health you probably won't have any problems getting a medical. Wearing glasses doesn't prevent you from getting a medical except in some exceptional cases.  Medicals differ between licences with the requirements for commercial pilots being more stringent than for private pilots.

What is involved in the Flying Training

At NZ International Commercial Pilot Academy we train students in Cessna 152's and 172's - the world's most popular trainer. It is a high wing aircraft and well suited to the Whanganui Airport.  We have the aircraft and experience required to train students for Instrument Ratings, Multi-Engine Ratings, and Instructor Ratings. Our instructors are all full-time professionals who maintain a high standard, and are committed to providing you with the best possible training.

How long does it take to get a Pilot Licence?

That depends on you. There are no regulations concerning how long you should take to do your training. If you wish to fly and study full time towards your licence, be it a PPL or CPL, you could gain your Licence in as little as 6 months. On the other hand if you are working and you want to fit your lessons around other times and budget commitments, there is no reason why you can't spread the training over a much longer period. It's entirely up to you.

Do I need any special qualifications or equipment?

There are no pre-requisite qualifications for any pilot licence. Similarly there is no special equipment required. You will need some books and a small amount of navigation equipment for your study and you can get these as required during the course of your training. The greatest asset you can bring to your flying is enthusiasm and determination to succeed.  If you wish to complete one of our Diploma programmes there are minimum academic requirements - Explore the Diploma Programmes here.

How much will my licence cost?

The training for a CPL compares favourably with a number of professional qualifications in this age of user-pays. If you are interested in studying full time, your qualification can be completed in a relatively short period of time. This can be advantageous from the point of view that your living costs while studying will be less and you are able to begin looking for work in your chosen field relatively quickly.

Costs will vary depending on the length of time taken to complete the course, and the school chosen. All costs relate to the hours flown, the tuition undertaken and the length of time you take to meet the necassary standards to enable you to sit and pass exams and complete flight tests successfully.

How Can I Pay For My Flying?

There are a range of options including self funding, direct loan and, for domestic students, a StudyLink student loan. For more information on student loans check out Study Link.

Another way is to seek assistance from parents / grandparents or private sponsor by way of a personal loan.

Of course we do have the option of completing our programmes on a part time, pay as you go, basis.  Please talk to us, we are more than happy to discuss options.