Flight Training

Overview

The ability to control an aircraft is an exciting and challenging skill to learn. From taking the controls for the first time, your first takeoff to your first solo flight – all these experiences and memories will be with you for life.

Otago Aero Club located on the Taieri Plains is a great place to learn to fly. We have an excellent airfield with light traffic volume, where you will rarely have a delay getting airborne. Allowing you the maximum amount of flying time for your money. When you are ready to operate in controlled airspace we have the Dunedin control zone just minutes away, the large variety of terrain ranging from beaches, valleys, hills, mountains and plains all within 15 minutes flying time, make Otago Aero Club the ideal place to learn to fly.

Training is personalised to your requirements in a relaxed club environment. Our professional and friendly instructors will ensure you enjoy your experience at the Otago Aero Club.

We offer training for Private and Commercial Pilots Licences, and basic to advanced Microlight Instruction.

U-Fly

Take control of the aeroplane and experience the thrill of flight for just $100

Under the guidance of one of our highly experienced flight instructors, you will take control of the aeroplane and head over the coast just South of Dunedin City. You will be led through the basics of flying the aircraft, while taking in the great coastal views of the Dunedin City area.

A trial flight is a one on one experience with your instructor that is flexible and personalised to suit your needs. You will be flying the aircraft for the majority of the flight. The flight is normally in our two seat Cessna, however you can opt for our four seat Cessna if you wish to bring family or friends along for the ride.

PPL

You have completed our U-Fly experience and decided that learning to fly is for you. Whether your ultimate goal is flying professionally or simply flying for pleasure, the first stop is your Private Pilots Licence (PPL).

With your Private Pilots Licence, you will be able to take friends and family on stunning airborne adventures where any place with an airstrip becomes a potential destination.

Otago Aero Club, with its team of highly qualified and experienced flight instructors, will help you to learn the knowledge and skills while developing the confidence to fly anywhere in New Zealand.

Entry Requirements

There are no prior qualifications required to start pilot training, however secondary school level subject passes in English, Maths and Physics will help aid your learning process.

You can commence flight training at any age however to fly solo you must:

• Be of at least 16 years of age
• Hold at least a Class 2 medical certificate

Qualification and Licence Issue Requirements:

• Be of at least 17 years of age
• Achieve a pass in six aviation theory examinations
• At least 50hrs minimum practical flying time
• Pass a practical flight test

Theory Subjects:

• Flight Radio Telephony (FRTO Rating)
• Human Factors
• Aviation Air Law
• Meteorology
• Navigation and Flight Planning
• Aircraft Technical Knowledge

Flying Experience:

Your training will include:
• At least 50 hours total flying experience
• 15 hours of Solo flying
• Progress from basic to more advanced flying skills
• Cross country navigation experience around southern New Zealand
• Instrument Flying

CPL

If a Career in Aviation appeals to you, then the Otago Aero Club can help you achieve this.

Entry Requirements

• Hold a Private Pilots Licence
• Hold a Class 1 aviation medical certificate

Licence Issue Requirements

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Achieve a pass in an additional six aviation theory examinations
• Gain 200 hours minimum flight time
• Pass a practical flight test

Theory Subjects:

• Human Factors
• Aviation Air Law (Commercial)
• Meteorology
• Navigation and Flight Planning
• Aircraft Technical Knowledge
• Principles of Flight and Performance

Flying Experience:

Your training will include:
• advanced Cross Country Navigation Techniques
• beach and remote Strip Landings
• advanced Handling Manoeuvres
• passenger handling
• emergency training
• local traffic experience

Microlight

Otago Aero Club have a team of friendly qualified microlight instructors available who can take you through the SAC licence process. You start the process with a U-Fly experience in the club microlight around the Dunedin City area. Once you have decided that microlights are the path you wish to take, you will start flight training towards your first solo flight where you will be awarded your Novice Certificate. Then you can start working towards your Intermediate Certificate and Passenger Rating which allows you to start your cross-country training. Once your cross country training is complete, you can sit your final flight test where you will be awarded an Advanced Certificate which allows you to fly anywhere in New Zealand.

Microlight category aircraft are experiencing rapid growth with recreational pilots due to the lower flying cost and the advance in aircraft now available, many of which far exceed basic GA aircraft in terms of performance and fit and finish. The main difference with a Microlight licence is you are limited to 2 seats.

Entry Requirements

There are no prior qualifications required to start pilot training.

You can commence flight training at any age however to fly solo you must:
• Be of at least 16 years of age
• Hold a SAC medical certificate

Qualification and Licence Issue Requirements:

• Achieve a pass in five aviation theory examinations
• At least 50hrs minimum practical flying time
• Pass two practical flight tests

Theory Subjects:

• Flight Radio Telephony (FRTO Rating)
• Aviation Air Law
• Meteorology
• Navigation and Flight Planning
• Aircraft Technical Knowledge

Flying Experience:

Your training will include:
• at least 50 hours total flying experience
• 35 hours of Solo flying
• progress from Basic to more Advanced Flying skills
• cross country navigation experience around Southern New Zealand

Visiting Pilots

Many pilots on holiday want to do more than take a scenic flight, naturally they want to fly the plane themselves, and what better place than Otago.

The Otago Aero club encourages foreign pilots to come flying with us, no matter how short your stay is. Under the guidance of one of our experienced flight instructors you are able to fly yourself around some of the most stunning scenery in the World. You will also have the opportunity to learn some of the basics of flying in this unique environment.

Overseas pilots wishing to fly New Zealand registered aircraft are required to either convert their current licence to a New Zealand one, or obtain a short-term validation.

See the CAA website for more details or download Flight Crew Recognition information PDF.

How to get short term validation

A Short term Validation enables you to use your ‘current’ overseas licence here in New Zealand for a period up to 6 months. The process is simple; produce your current overseas licence and medical, conduct a Biennial Flight Review and complete this form: Download Issue of a Validation Permit form.

How to convert your PPL

Converting your overseas licence enables you to be issued with a lifetime NZ PPL Licence. To qualify for this conversion you must produce your ‘current’ overseas licence and medical, conduct a Biennial Flight Review, meet NZ PPL requirements and complete this form: Download Issue of New Zealand Flight Crew Licence - Overseas Licence Holders Only form.

New Zealand PPL Requirements in some cases require additional training on top of your overseas licence such as Instrument Flying (5 Hours Simulated or Actual), Cross Country flying (10 Hours) and recently introduced Terrain and Weather Awareness training (5 Hours).

You will also be required to complete a Fit and Proper Persons Questionnaire, that requires you to obtain reports for Criminal and Traffic offence history for the last 5 years. Finally a Language Proficiency test is required for the NZ PPL (or evidence of you having already completed this).

You will find all the links and forms you require here: Download Issue of New Zealand Flight Crew Licence - Overseas Licence Holders Only form.