Feb 14, 2026

Becoming a pilot in New Zealand is an exciting journey, and fortunately as a Kiwi the pathways are well-structured. Whether you want to fly for fun or aim for a career with Air New Zealand, the starting point is almost always the same. Here is the step-by-step roadmap to getting airborne as a pilot in NZ.

1. Take A Trial Flight

Before you spend a cent on theory, or commit to enrolment in a flight training course, the most useful piece of advice is to go to your nearest aero club or flight school and book what is known as an ‘Introductory’ or ‘Trial Flight’.

  • What It Is: A Trial Flight is a roughly 30-60 minute flight in a training aircraft where an instructor takes the lead, but lets you have a go at the controls mid-flight.
  • Why Do It: Trial Flights are the best way to see if you actually enjoy the practice and sensation of flying before committing.

2. Get Your Medical Certificate

The second and perhaps most important logistical step is to go to your nearest approved medical examiner and get your Medical Certificate. The last thing you want to do is spend thousands of dollars on flight training only to find out you have a medical condition that prevents you from furthering your flying career as planned. There are actually two types of medical certificates for pilots in NZ, Class 1 and Class 2.

  • Class 2 Medical: Required for a Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
  • Class 1 Medical: Required if you intend to become a professional/Commercial Pilot (CPL)

It is important to note that you must go to see a CAA-approved Medical Examiner (not just your regular doctor/GP). Check the CAA website for a list of examiners in your region. Applying for an initial New Zealand aviation medical certificate involves a structured six-step process. To ensure a smooth application, follow the information on the CAA website summarised below:

  1. Register For A Participant ID. Before beginning, you must obtain a CAA Participant ID. This unique number is required for all future aviation activities. Registration is completed via the “MyAviation” portal under the CAA Online Services. If you encounter issues, the CAA provides instructional videos and a support form.
  2. Pay The Application Fee. According to the CAA website, the application fee is currently $132.83 for NZ residents and $115.50 for non-residents. This must be paid via the CAA Online Payment portal or by phone using your Participant ID. You will receive an email receipt, and you must bring this receipt to your medical examination. This fee is separate from the fee charged by your medical examiner.
  3. Select A Medical Examiner. Appointments must be made with a CAA-approved Medical Examiner. While most are located within New Zealand, there are overseas options available. You can find a complete list of these professionals on the CAA website.
  4. Complete The Application Form. Download and fill out pages 1–3 of this Application for Medical Certificate (24067-001) form. Remember to include your payment receipt number at the top of page 1 and provide a full medical history. Any “Yes” answers require a detailed explanation on page 3. Leave page 4 blank; this must be signed in the presence of your examiner.
  5. Attend The Medical Examination. Bring your completed form and a valid photo ID (such as a passport or NZ driver’s license) to the appointment. The examiner will conduct various tests based on the class of certificate you are seeking. Some specialised tests, like the CAA Special Eye Report, may require a visit to an accredited optometrist or ophthalmologist.
  6. Assessment And Results. After the exam, the examiner will review your results. If you meet the standards, they will issue your certificate, potentially with specific conditions. The examiner may request further specialist reports if the medical history is complex. If you do not meet the standard requirements, you can consent to an Accredited Medical Conclusion. This process assesses your specific case to see if a certificate can still be issued safely despite the medical condition.

3. Choose Your Training Pathway

In NZ, you generally have three main routes to choose from on your journey to becoming a pilot. The right choice for you depends on what your career goals are and how you wish to achieve them.

  • Flight Training Schools: Sometimes referred to as Aviation Academies, this is the most common pathway for pilots wishing to build a professional career in aviation. Flight training schools offer a structured yet timely approach to gaining the necessary qualifications and hours needed to become a commercial pilot. Flight schools provide valuable access to a range of different aircraft and instructors, while also offering valuable industry connections.
  • Local Aero Clubs: The perfect choice for those who see flying as a hobby, aero clubs offer convenience, flexibility and a more casual approach to learning to fly. They are great for introductory flights, weekend fun and getting your PPL while continuing with your normal “day job”.
  • University: This pathway is more degree-focused as pilots will complete a Bachelor of Aviation. This route is more classroom heavy while integrating flight training where necessary.

Preferred Air New Zealand Training Pathways

It does pay to note that Air New Zealand has a specific “ecosystem for hiring”. They often look more closely at candidates from their Preferred Flight Training Organisations (PFTOs).

  • Southern Wings Flight Training School
  • Nelson Aviation College
  • Massey University School of Aviation
  • International Aviation Academy of NZ (IAANZ)

4. Hit Your Pilot Licensing Milestones

Regardless of where , when or how you choose to study the journey to becoming a professional pilot can be broken down into specific “levels” of licences and stages:

Student Pilot – Just starting out

  • Age: Can start at any age, but must be at least 16 to fly solo
  • Focus: Learning the basics: take-offs, landings, and emergency procedures

Private Pilot Licence (PPL) – You can fly yourself and your friends around NZ, but you cannot be paid for it

  • Requirements: Minimum 50 hours of flight time and passing 6 theory exams (Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, etc.)
  • Estimated Cost: ~$20,000 – $25,000

Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) – This is your “ticket” to working as a pilot, you can now be paid to fly

  • Requirements: Minimum 200 hours of flight time
  • Estimated Cost: Total cost (including PPL) often reaches $100,000+
  • Multi-Engine Instrument Ratings: ~$25,000 – $35,000

Airline Transport Pilot Licence Theory (ATPL)

Even if you only have a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), airlines in NZ strongly prefer that you have already passed your ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence) theory exams. There are seven of these exams, and they are significantly harder than CPL exams. Having these “frozen” (passed but not yet activated by hours) makes you much more hireable.

5. Build Your Hours

Airlines like Air New Zealand or Jetstar typically require 500 to 1,500 total flying hours before they will even look at your CV. Since you graduate flight school with only around 200 hours, you will need to bridge that gap. Common first jobs for pilots in NZ are:

  • Flight Instructing: The most common route for many aspiring pilots, where you stay at your flight school (or go to another one) and teach new students.
  • General Aviation: Flying scenic tours in Milford Sound, skydiving planes in Taupō, or agricultural work (spraying, spreading fertiliser etc).
  • Regional Charters: Flying small mail or freight planes (like the Beechcraft or Metroliner) across the Cook Strait.

6. Ace The Selection Process

When an airline invites you to an interview, it is famously rigorous. It usually involves:

  • Psychometric Testing: Assessing your logic, spatial awareness, and personality.
  • The Simulator Assessment: You’ll be put in a simulator (often an A320 or ATR) to see if you can handle a high-workload environment and follow instructions, even if you’ve never flown that specific plane before.
  • Group Exercises: They watch how you interact with a team. They aren’t looking for the loudest person; they’re looking for the person who listens and collaborates.
  • Behavioural Interview: They will ask “Tell me about a time you made a mistake…” to see your integrity and self-awareness.

Air NZ Pilot Application Checklist

To get hired by Air New Zealand, the requirements change depending on whether you are applying for their Jet Fleet (international) or their Regional Fleets (Air New Zealand Link). Here are the standard requirements as of 2026:

  1. Citizenship: You must be a New Zealand or Australian citizen, or hold a NZ Permanent Resident visa.
  2. Fit and Proper Person: A clean criminal record (Ministry of Justice check) and a clean driving history (demerit point check).
  3. Medical: A current NZCAA Class 1 Medical Certificate.
  4. Swimming: Ability to swim 50 meters in under 2 minutes and tread water for 1 minute (for ditching/emergency training).
  5. Total Flight Experience: At least 1,500 hours total flight time (though this can be lower for regional entry or specific cadetship pathways).
  6. Multi-Engine: At least 100 hours in multi-engine aircraft.
  7. Instrument Time: 40+ hours of instrument flight time.
  8. Night Flying: 25+ hours of night flight experience.
  9. Command Experience: Ideally, 100+ hours of Air Transport Operations or multi-crew experience.
  10. Licenses: A current NZ CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence) or ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence).
  11. Theory: Completion of all ATPL theory subjects is highly preferred, even if you don’t have the hours for the full licence yet.
  12. Ratings: A current MEIR (Multi-Engine Instrument Rating).
  13. English: ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 6.
  14. Academic: University Entrance or an equivalent Level 4 qualification.
  15. ADAPT Test: A high score on the ADAPT Pilot Aptitude Test (often required during the application phase).

Funding Your Flight Training In NZ

In NZ, if you are doing a formal Diploma in Aviation through a flight training provider like Southern Wings in Auckland, you will likely be eligible for Student Loans to cover a significant portion of the cost of your flight training (Student loans for pilot training are currently capped at $35,000 per 1.0 EFTS). You may also be eligible for the government’s Final Year Fees Free program, where you may be eligible for a refund of up to $12,000 toward your final year’s fees.

If you are studying full-time at an aviation academy, you may also qualify for Student Allowance weekly living cost payments, depending on your parents’ income (if under 24) or your own income.

Thinking about learning to fly, but don’t know where to start? Give the team at Southern Wings a call. We are more than happy to help with any questions you might have! Contact us for a quick career chat or to enroll in our NZ Diploma of Aviation today!

 

Disclaimer: All information included in this article is intended as a guide only, for up to date information always check with the CAA and appropriate government agencies.

 

 

 

 

< Back to Blog