Oceania · Authority: CAA New Zealand
26 researched schools and 65 verified programs so far. This is the research done to date, not a complete list of every provider in New Zealand.
Cities:AlbanyAshburtonBlenheimChristchurchGoreHamiltonHastingsInvercargillKerikeriMosgielMotuekaMount MaunganuiNelsonOnehungaPalmerston NorthPapakuraParaparaumuRangioraTimaruWanakaWellingtonWest MeltonWhanganuiWhangarei
26 schools
Professional flight academy · Papakura, New Zealand
Auckland flight school at Papakura/Ardmore offering intro flights, a Level 5 international flight training diploma and Level 6 flight instruction, with student accommodation and simulators.
Helicopter school · Onehunga, New Zealand
Helicopter training company at Auckland Heliport, Onehunga, offering trial flights, PPL and CPL helicopter training in Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopters.
Helicopter school · Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Tauranga-based helicopter training provider offering trial flights in Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters and certified helicopter pilot training toward private and commercial licences.
Flying club · Kerikeri, New Zealand
Aero club at Kerikeri Airport offering PPL training in a Robin R2160 and microlight training, with trial flights and a Young Eagles programme.
Flying club · West Melton, Rangiora, Christchurch, New Zealand
Aero club based at Christchurch International Airport with West Melton and Rangiora airfields, offering introductory flights to commercial licences, mountain flying and instructor training.
Helicopter school · Christchurch, New Zealand
Helicopter operator and pilot training provider at Christchurch International Airport offering a helicopter trial flight, PPL, CPL, flight instructor rating and an NZQA-accredited NZ Diploma in Aviation.
Flying club · Gore, New Zealand
Aero club at Gore Aerodrome providing flying instruction in Tecnam aircraft towards the PPL, recreational pilot certificate and further skills.
Flying club · Hastings, New Zealand
Aero club at Bridge Pa (Hastings) Aerodrome offering trial flights, microlight and PPL training, type ratings and flight reviews.
Helicopter school · Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson Airport helicopter operator that also provides helicopter trial flights, private helicopter pilot training and a limited-intake commercial helicopter pilot course in a Cabri G2.
Helicopter school · Mosgiel, New Zealand
Helicopter operator training from Taieri Airfield, offering private and commercial ab-initio training, type ratings, instructor training and a hands-on trial flight.
Flying club · Paraparaumu, New Zealand
Aero club at Kapiti Coast Airport offering trial flights, PPL (fixed wing and helicopter), CPL, instrument and other ratings.
Flying club · Blenheim, New Zealand
Aero club at Omaka Airfield, Blenheim, offering trial flights, PPL and CPL training with published fee breakdowns, plus strip flying tuition.
University flight-training unit · Palmerston North, New Zealand
University school of aviation at Palmerston North Airport offering the Bachelor of Aviation (with pilot training) and aviation management qualifications; also contract flight training and instructor techniques courses.
Flying club · Ashburton, New Zealand
Aero club near Ashburton serving local pilots and beginners, offering introductory flights and flight training.
Flying club · Nelson, New Zealand
Not-for-profit aero club at Nelson Airport offering introductory flights and PPL training in Cessna 152 and 172 aircraft; describes CPL requirements and refers inquiries to the club.
Professional flight academy · Nelson, Motueka, New Zealand
Private flight training college with a VFR base at Motueka Aerodrome and an IFR base at Nelson Airport, offering PPL, CPL, instrument and instructor training and New Zealand Diploma in Aviation programmes.
Flying club · Albany, New Zealand
Aero club at North Shore Airfield, Auckland, offering trial flights, PPL and CPL training and other ratings.
Flying club · Mosgiel, New Zealand
Aero club in Mosgiel near Dunedin describing itself as New Zealand's first established aero club (1927). Offers U-Fly trial flights and PPL and CPL training in light-sport and Tecnam aircraft.
Flying club · Timaru, New Zealand
Aero club at Richard Pearse Airport, Timaru, offering introductory flights, PPL, CPL, mountain flying, aerobatic and C-category instructor training.
Professional flight academy · Invercargill, New Zealand
Professional pilot training academy with bases at Invercargill Airport and Ardmore Airport (Auckland), offering the NZ Diploma in Aviation, PPL, CPL and instrument rating, including an Air New Zealand pathway.
Independent flight school · Wanaka, New Zealand
Wanaka-based CAA-certified commercial air operator offering intro flights, PPL, CPL, instructor, mountain flying and other training, plus scenic flights.
Flying club · Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton-based flight training organisation (over 80 years in the Waikato) offering flight experiences and a two-year NZ Diploma in Aviation (Level 6).
Helicopter school · Wanaka, New Zealand
Family-owned commercial helicopter operator and flight training school at Wanaka Airport offering PPL(H) and CPL(H) training plus a tertiary Diploma in Aviation (rotary).
Flying club · Whanganui, New Zealand
Aero club at Whanganui Airport providing informal pay-as-you-go flight training from recreational to commercial licences, plus trial flights.
Results are listed alphabetically; there is no price ranking because prices in different currencies, price types and bases are not comparable. Schools marked Sponsored are paid placements and never change approval status or order.
New Zealand pilot licences and ratings are governed by Part 61 of the Civil Aviation Rules, made under the Civil Aviation Act 2023. Part 61 sets eligibility for student, private, commercial and airline transport pilot licences, instructor and instrument ratings, and type ratings. Training organisations are certified separately under Part 141 (Aviation Training Organisations), which provides standard and restricted certificates. Rules are published on the CAA website, and a draft realignment of the rules was also posted at the time of review, so the in-force text should be checked.
Names and privileges are local to New Zealand. Similar names in other countries are not interchangeable.
| Code | Official name | Minimum age | Regulatory minimum flight time | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPL-solo | Student pilot (solo flight conditions)Part 61 Subpart C sets conditions for a student to fly solo, including a minimum age and a qualifying medical certificate. | 16 | n/pNo minimum total hours; a student must have received dual instruction within the last 5 hours of flight experience. | official |
| PPL | Private Pilot Licence (aeroplane, helicopter, glider categories)Rule 61.153 sets the eligibility requirements for the private pilot licence for the appropriate category of aircraft. | 17 | 50 h50 hours flight time as a pilot in the appropriate category (solo, dual, instrument and cross-country time included); 40 hours if the holder will not exercise private privileges on a cross-country flight. | official |
| CPL-A | Commercial Pilot Licence (aeroplane)Rule 61.203 sets eligibility for the commercial pilot licence, with a lower hour minimum for a course of approved training. | 18 | 150 h200 hours of flight time, or 150 hours if undertaking a course of approved training. | official |
| CPL-H | Commercial Pilot Licence (helicopter)Commercial licence for helicopters under rule 61.203 with age and medical class the same as for aeroplanes. | 18 | 125 h150 hours of flight time, or 125 hours if undertaking a course of approved training. | official |
| ATPL-A | Airline Transport Pilot Licence (aeroplane)Rule 61.253 sets eligibility for the airline transport pilot licence; holders must comply with the medical requirements in rule 61.35 before exercising privileges. | 21 | 1500 hGeneral flight time experience as a pilot, with specific flight experience acceptable to the Director. | official |
| ATPL-H | Airline Transport Pilot Licence (helicopter)Airline transport licence for helicopters under rule 61.253. | 21 | 1000 hGeneral flight time experience as a pilot, with specific flight experience acceptable to the Director. | official |
| IR | Instrument Rating (aeroplane or helicopter)Rule 61.801 requires a pilot licence with night privileges, a ground training course, a flight test and dual instrument instruction in the category. | n/p | 10 hMinimum 10 hours of dual instruction in the appropriate category; total experience must be acceptable to the Director and no total-hours figure is set in the rule. | official |
| TR | Aircraft type rating (including multi-engine and multi-engine helicopters)A type rating requires a current pilot licence for the category, conversion instruction and a type competency demonstration; aircraft above 5700 kg and multi-engine helicopters need an approved technical course and written exam. | n/p | n/pConversion instruction flight experience acceptable to the Director; no fixed hours in the rule. | official |
| FI-C | Flight Instructor Rating (Category C)Entry-level instructor category under rule 61.303 which also requires a current commercial pilot licence and an approved instructor course. | n/p | 200 hMinimum 200 hours flight time as a pilot in the appropriate aircraft category, plus at least 25 hours of dual flight instructor training or approved equivalent. | official |
| FI-B | Flight Instructor Rating (Category B)Intermediate instructor category requiring a Category C rating or approved equivalent, further hours and a flight test. | n/p | 500 hMinimum 500 hours flight time as a pilot. | official |
| FI-A | Flight Instructor Rating (Category A)Senior instructor category requiring a Category B rating or approved equivalent and, for aeroplanes, an instrument rating. | n/p | 1250 hMinimum 1250 hours experience in the appropriate category of aircraft. | official |
A regulatory minimum is a legal floor for the qualification. It is not the number of hours most students need, and not a guarantee of cost or completion time.
The CAA issues aviation medical certificates; Part 61 requires at least Class 2 for a private pilot licence and Class 1 for commercial and airline transport licences. Official medical information
Rule 61.11 requires applicants to show sufficient English ability to carry out a pilot's responsibilities.
Languages of instruction among researched schools: English.
A foreign student typically needs to look into a New Zealand student visa from Immigration New Zealand, which requires an offer of place from an approved education provider. Flight training provider certification and licence recognition are CAA matters. Nothing here promises a visa or admission.
Training approval does not establish immigration permission or international-student eligibility. Verify current rules with the official sources above.
The CAA publishes pages on recognising foreign pilot licences: holders of CAA UK licences need CAA UK to release licence details, Australian professional licences are recognised under trans-Tasman arrangements, and other holders should read the CAA recognition-of-overseas-licences document.
Country information last reviewed 16 October 2026. 5 official sources consulted.