Air Napier has been approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to provide fixed-wing aircraft pilot training to international students. Students start with little or no experience and progress through licences and ratings to achieve the status of professional pilot.

Air Napier has also agreed to abide by the Ministry of Education: Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. Students are mentored and supported during their time at Air Napier to achieve the best result possible.

Programme details
International Licence Recognition
Immigration Requirements
Requirements
Health Care
Course Costs
Code of Practice

Programme details

Students are prepared for the written examinations and practical assessments laid out by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority.

They first complete the New Zealand Private Pilot Licence (PPL) followed by the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and the Single and Multi Engine Instrument Rating. This includes radio training. The Air Napier course is a DGCA recognised training programme.

Air Napier provides classroom courses to prepare students for the written exams. Topics include:

Written examinations must be completed before the flight tests. An English Proficiency test (IELTS) is also required for the CPL.

Back to top

International Licence Recognition

When you qualify as a pilot in New Zealand you obtain a New Zealand Pilot Licence. The NZ Pilot Licence enjoys widespread international recognition. New Zealand is a signatory to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) so the NZ Pilot Licence is an ICAO Pilot Licence.

Immigration Requirements

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service and can be viewed on their website at
www.immigration.govt.nz.

Requirements

Duration – To complete the full programme, including the PPL, CPL and Instrument Rating, studying fulltime, and starting with no other experience, should take approximately 6-9 months. The programme can be started at any time by mutual agreement.

Age – You must be at least 17 years old to hold a Private Pilot Licence and at least 18 years old to hold a Commercial Pilot Licence. While you remain medically fit, there is no upper age limit.

Note: Air Napier does not accept International Students under the age of 18.

Education – There are no minimum educational requirements, however a good standard of English and Maths is recommended.

English Language Requirement - As English is the international language of aviation, Air Napier Ltd. requires all speakers of English as a second language to have a pass in the academic IELTS test of 6 or more across all bands of the test. This pass should ensure the successful applicant is able to keep up with the lectures and pass exams. International Students are required to send Air Napier Ltd. these test results as part of the enrolment process. Students who send over their IELTS test results but who are unable to correlate this pass on arrival, will be asked to attend an English Language course. The ‘Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Regulations’ (detailed in the Student Handbook) will be applied. English of a technical nature (not merely conversational) is required to pass these courses. English Language Courses are available at E.I.T. situated ten minutes away.

Medical – A Class 1 medical certificate is required. We can arrange a medical examination which is carried out by a specialist doctor.

Flying Hours – The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requires the following minimum flight experience:

PPL:

CPL: A minimum of 200 hours flight experience made up of at least:

Back to top

Health Care

Eligibility for Health Services - Most International Students are not entitled to publicly funded Health Services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website at
www.moh.govt.nz.

Accident Insurance - The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand Citizens, Residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at www.acc.co.nz.

Course costs

Please contact us for current details about course costs.

Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students

Air Napier has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Karen Morgan the Administration Manager is the contact person for matters concerning “the Code” – she can be reached at Ph (06) 835 6182. Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international.