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Oceania · Authority: CAA New Zealand

Flight training in 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

65 programs

Country: New Zealand Reset all

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.

About training in New Zealand

How pilot training is regulated

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.

Source: aviation.govt.nz/rules/rule-part/part-141/

Relevant aviation authorities

Listing here does not imply affiliation. Flight School Atlas is independent of every aviation authority.

Training pathways

  • Recreational flying

    CAA describes the microlight certificate and the private pilot licence as the options for someone flying only for recreation.

    Source

  • Professional pilot

    Those building a career in aviation train towards a commercial pilot licence or an airline transport pilot licence.

    Source

Qualification terminology

Names and privileges are local to New Zealand. Similar names in other countries are not interchangeable.

CodeOfficial nameMinimum ageRegulatory minimum flight timeSource
SPL-soloStudent 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.16n/pNo minimum total hours; a student must have received dual instruction within the last 5 hours of flight experience.official
PPLPrivate Pilot Licence (aeroplane, helicopter, glider categories)Rule 61.153 sets the eligibility requirements for the private pilot licence for the appropriate category of aircraft.1750 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-ACommercial Pilot Licence (aeroplane)Rule 61.203 sets eligibility for the commercial pilot licence, with a lower hour minimum for a course of approved training.18150 h200 hours of flight time, or 150 hours if undertaking a course of approved training.official
CPL-HCommercial Pilot Licence (helicopter)Commercial licence for helicopters under rule 61.203 with age and medical class the same as for aeroplanes.18125 h150 hours of flight time, or 125 hours if undertaking a course of approved training.official
ATPL-AAirline 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.211500 hGeneral flight time experience as a pilot, with specific flight experience acceptable to the Director.official
ATPL-HAirline Transport Pilot Licence (helicopter)Airline transport licence for helicopters under rule 61.253.211000 hGeneral flight time experience as a pilot, with specific flight experience acceptable to the Director.official
IRInstrument 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/p10 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
TRAircraft 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/pn/pConversion instruction flight experience acceptable to the Director; no fixed hours in the rule.official
FI-CFlight 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/p200 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-BFlight Instructor Rating (Category B)Intermediate instructor category requiring a Category C rating or approved equivalent, further hours and a flight test.n/p500 hMinimum 500 hours flight time as a pilot.official
FI-AFlight Instructor Rating (Category A)Senior instructor category requiring a Category B rating or approved equivalent and, for aeroplanes, an instrument rating.n/p1250 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.

Terms you will meet

Part 61
The Civil Aviation Rules part covering pilot licences and ratings.
Part 141
The Civil Aviation Rules part on certification of Aviation Training Organisations, with standard and restricted certificates.
Director
The Director of Civil Aviation, who accepts experience stated as acceptable to the Director in the rules.

Medical, language and instruction

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.

International students

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.

Foreign licences and conversion

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.