At the Tauranga Aero Club we run a flight training school in addition to our social club for aviators. This branch of the club has been active for well over 85 years, which makes us experts. With eight instructors on the books, we train recreational pilots to obtain their Private Pilot Licence (PPL), and career focused pilots to obtain their Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Instructor Ratings. If you need an aircraft type rating, Instrument Rating, Night Rating, Aerobatic Rating, or terrain and weather awareness training we can help with that too. If you are a career focused pilot, we can help you obtain a Level 6 Diploma in Aviation – Flight Instructor Strand, through ServiceIQ. Contact us to find out about the requirements.

Why do people choose to train with us?

Given we exist firstly as a social club for aviators, our students get to enjoy the social benefits of the club while completing their training. Not only do we pride ourselves on creating a friendly fun atmosphere for all our members and students; but we regularly hold events open to all students and members to continue to build great relationships, and even better pilots. These include Friday and Sunday nights at the Club House Bar, weekend Fly Always to destinations around the country, full day Fly Ins to other airports or landing strips, club competitions, and Flying New Zealand’s regional and national competitions. We also encourage our female pilots to attend the NZAWA each year to network with other female pilots in the industry. These types of experiences are the beating heart of our club, and we motivate everyone to participate.

What can I do with a PPL?

With a PPL you are able to carry passengers with you when you fly, although you are not able to charge for your services. You can hire an aircraft that you are type rated on, or buy your own aircraft, and you are able to fly anywhere in New Zealand. Some continue on in their training to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence and ultimately a career in aviation.

How does flight training here work?

When you are ready for your first lesson, contact us to book yourself in for a lesson. Most lessons consist of a 30-minute power point briefing in the briefing room, followed by a 45-minute flight, followed by a short debrief. You should allow one and a half hours for each lesson. You can fly any day of the week, subject to weather and other students booking the aircraft in ahead of you.

You can train as fast or as slow as you like. An optimum pace is 1-2 lessons per week. This gives you time between lessons to absorb what was taught in the previous lesson and prepare for the next one. Others have more time on their hands and train full-time. A PPL can be completed in about 2-3 months if you work hard and are good at studying for and sitting the 6 theory exams included in the process; however, the average time to complete the licence is often 6-12 months when studying part-time.