May 23, 2026
Airline pilots require a specialist qualification that sits beyond the CPL and is required before they can legally operate different commercial aircraft – known as a type rating. This guide explains what a type rating is, how it works, what it costs in a New Zealand context.
What Is A Type Rating?
A type rating is a specific authorisation endorsed on a pilot’s licence that qualifies them to operate a particular make and model of aircraft. It is not a general category endorsement, it is deliberately and purposefully aircraft-specific.
Under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) framework, adopted by aviation authorities worldwide including the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ), any aircraft that exceeds 5,700 kilograms maximum take-off weight, or any turbojet-powered aircraft regardless of weight, requires the pilot in command to hold an approved type rating for that specific aircraft. This is the regulatory threshold that applies to virtually every commercial airliner in operation today, from the regional ATR 72-600 turboprop to the wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
This is because modern commercial aircraft are enormously complex systems. We are talking fly-by-wire flight control computers, sophisticated auto flight systems, and automated failure management that all behaves very differently from the piston-engine trainers and smaller multi-engine aircraft used in commercial licence training. Pilots must be formally trained, assessed, and certified on each specific aircraft type before they can exercise command on it.
Under CAANZ’s Civil Aviation Rules Part 61, aircraft type ratings are one of the key ratings issued alongside a pilot licence. These ratings must be maintained through recurrent training and competency checks to remain current as CAANZ notes, periodic oversight of type ratings is required at least every five years for approved training organisations operating in New Zealand.
How Does Type Rating Training Work?
Type rating training follows a structured and intensive progression with most programmes take between four and six weeks to complete (though some accelerated formats do exist for experienced pilots). The training is typically delivered in three phases.
- Ground School. Pilots undergo an in-depth study of the aircraft’s systems, from hydraulics and pneumatics to electrical systems, fuel systems, flight management computers, and pressurisation. This phase covers normal procedures, abnormal procedures, and emergency checklists specific to that aircraft type. Most modern programmes incorporate computer-based training (CBT) as pre-study material before the classroom component begins. Ground school typically spans nine to fourteen days depending on your flight training school.
- Full Flight Simulator Training. Pilots train in pairs as a crew replicating the real-world multi-crew environment using a full-motion, Level D certified simulator. A Level D simulator is the highest category of flight simulator under ICAO standards, providing a fully enclosed, moving cockpit environment with high-fidelity visual and motion systems. Pilots typically complete eight or more simulator sessions of approximately four hours each, progressing from basic aircraft handling through increasingly complex scenarios including engine failures, hydraulic malfunctions, and emergency descents. The programme culminates in a Licence Skill Test conducted by an approved flight examiner.
- Base Training. ICAO and most national aviation authorities require pilots to complete a number of actual aircraft landings under supervision before the type rating is finalised. The number of required landings varies depending on the pilot’s prior experience on similar aircraft types. This phase involves flying the real aircraft, usually in a line training environment, where the pilot executes take-offs and landings under the supervision of a type rating instructor.
Which Aircraft Types Matter Most In NZ?
While type ratings exist for every aircraft above the regulatory weight threshold, two aircraft families dominate the commercial aviation landscape and represent the most strategically valuable ratings for aspiring airline pilots.
- Airbus A320 Family: Which includes the A318, A319, A320, A321, and their neo (new engine option) variants (all covered by a single common type rating). This makes it one of the most sought-after qualifications in commercial aviation globally. The A320 family is the world’s best-selling narrow-body aircraft, with more than 10,000 aircraft delivered as of 2024 (Airline Pilot Study Notes, 2026). Air New Zealand currently operates A320s on domestic and short-haul trans-Tasman routes.
- Boeing 737 Family: Spanning the 737 Classic, the 737 Next Generation (NG), and the 737 MAX is the worlds most widely produced commercial jet. Variants within each sub-family share common type ratings, though the Classic, NG, and MAX are considered separate type ratings under most regulatory frameworks. The 737 NG remains one of the most common aircraft in service across the Asia-Pacific region, making it highly relevant for New Zealand pilots seeking regional and international opportunities.
For pilots looking to fly within New Zealand’s regional network, the ATR 72 turboprop (operated extensively on domestic routes by Air New Zealand) is also a common first type rating for new entrants coming through cadetship pathways.
What Does A New Zealand Type Rating Cost?
Type rating costs vary significantly depending on the aircraft type, the training provider, and the country in which the training is conducted. These are not small figures, and they represent one of the most significant financial decisions a pilot will make at the transition point between the CPL and airline employment.
As of 2026, the rough cost of a type rating on the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 ranges from approximately NZD $50,000 to NZD $80,000 when self-funded, depending on the training provider and location. Wide-body type ratings such as the Boeing 777 or 787, or the Airbus A330/A350 – are considerably more expensive and, in practice, are almost never self-funded. They are typically provided exclusively by airlines as part of a formal employment package after a pilot has accumulated significant hours on narrow-body types.
- The Airline Route: $0 + Training Bond. The vast majority of pilots flying A320s or 737s in New Zealand do not pay for their type rating directly. If you are hired by a major local operator such as Air New Zealand (A320) or Jetstar (A320) the airline fully sponsors your ground school and simulator training. Instead of paying upfront, you pay with time via a ‘Training Bond’ (typically 12 to 36 months) where the airline covers the cost up front. If you stay for the duration of the bond, the debt is completely wiped. If you leave the airline early, you are required to pay back a pro-rated amount of the training cost
- Independent Self-Funding: $50,000 – $80,000 NZD. If you choose to self-fund a type rating to make your CV more competitive for overseas airlines, you will likely have to travel. While Air New Zealand has its own simulator facilities, private type-rating slots locally are highly restricted. Most Kiwi pilots looking for a self-funded type rating head to certified multi-national hubs in Australia, Asia, or Europe. The total cost varies when you factor in any additional mandatory base training, travel, international accommodation, and living expenses during the course.
- Integrated Academy Packages: ~$150,000 NZD. Some flight schools in New Zealand offer all-inclusive “frozen ATPL” or First Officer pathways aimed at international airline readiness. These package deals vary in cost but you will be looking at approximately $145,000 NZD for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR), all ATPL theory subjects, multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) training bundle.
*It is important to understand that these costs cover the simulator training and skills test only. They do not include accommodation, travel, living expenses during training, or the cost of maintaining the rating through recurrent checks in subsequent years.
How Do Airlines Typically Sponsor Type Ratings?
For most pilots who reach the airlines, the type rating is not self-funded. It is provided by the airline as part of the employment or cadetship package often with conditions attached. The most common arrangement in the traditional pathway is that a pilot joins an airline as a first officer after accumulating the required hours on their CPL (and ideally holding a multi-crew cooperation certificate or equivalent multi-engine instrument time). The airline then funds the type rating, with the pilot typically signing a training bond agreement (a contractual obligation to remain with the airline for a specified period (often two to three years) or repay the training cost if they leave early).
In New Zealand, this model has been evolving. Air New Zealand’s approach to type rating and pilot development has historically operated on the traditional model: pilots graduate from flight training providers such as Southern Wings, build their hours, obtain their instrument rating, and are then recruited by the airline and put through type rating training internally. As Air New Zealand’s Captain David Morgan explained when describing the traditional model, pilots were “recruited following their graduation from preferred flight training providers and then became type-rated before a four-month period of training with Air New Zealand” (Air New Zealand Newsroom, 2024).
The Mangōpare Cadetship: A New Pathway In New Zealand
In June 2024, Air New Zealand launched the Mangōpare Air New Zealand Pilot Cadetship, representing a significant shift in how New Zealand’s national carrier is approaching pilot pipeline development. The programme is directly relevant to anyone considering a flight training pathway that leads to an airline career.
The cadetship is an accelerated 14-month programme, 12 months of initial flight training followed by two months of ATR 72-600 type rating training, with the majority of costs funded directly by Air New Zealand. The programme received more than 2,000 applications for its inaugural cohort of 30 places.
Critically, Air New Zealand has stated it will continue recruiting pilots through the traditional pathway alongside the cadetship. This means graduates of established flight schools, including those completing their training through Southern Wings’ Commercial Pilot Licence programme, remain a core part of the airline’s recruitment pipeline.
Why Type Ratings Matter More Than Ever
For New Zealand pilots completing their training today, the global demand environment for type-rated commercial pilots has rarely been more favourable. Boeing’s 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook (the industry’s most widely referenced long-range forecast) projects that the global aviation industry will require 660,000 new commercial pilots between 2025 and 2044 to meet growth and replace retiring personnel (Boeing, July 2025). This is part of an overall demand of nearly 2.4 million new aviation professionals across pilot, maintenance, and cabin crew roles over the same period.
The Asia-Pacific region (New Zealand’s primary aviation marketplace) is expected to see some of the strongest demand growth of any region globally. Boeing specifically notes that South Asia and Southeast Asia are the fastest-growing regions for staffing requirements, with demand projected to more than triple in those areas over the forecast period.
For New Zealand graduates who have earned their CPL, built their hours, and obtained a type rating, this global environment translates into strong demand, faster progression to captain rank, and increasing salary competitiveness at both regional and mainline carriers.
What The Path Looks Like For A New Zealand Pilot
To summarise the practical journey for a New Zealand-trained pilot aiming for a commercial airline seat:
- Initial Flight Training: A student completing the New Zealand Diploma in Aviation or a CPL programme at a school like Southern Wings will graduate with a Commercial Pilot Licence, a multi-engine instrument rating, and the flying hours required for entry-level airline consideration. The typical minimum for a New Zealand CPL is 200 hours total time, though most airlines are looking for pilots with considerably more experience (often 500 hours or more) before extending a type rating offer.
- After Graduation: many pilots build their hours through flight instructing, scenic operations, charter work, or agricultural aviation. These roles provide the flight time and multi-engine experience that forms the foundation of an airline application.
- Type Rating: Once a pilot is competitive for airline recruitment, either through a direct entry programme or a cadetship pathway, the airline conducts its own assessment process including simulator evaluations, interviews, and medical and background checks. On successful entry, the pilot undergoes the type rating training funded or co-funded by the airline, followed by a supervised line training period before they take their place on the airline’s roster as a qualified first officer.
The timeline from CPL graduation to a first airline seat is not fixed, but realistic expectations for a motivated graduate in the current environment sit between two and five years, depending on hour-building opportunities and the recruitment cycles of New Zealand’s domestic and regional carriers.
For students currently training with Southern Wings, the foundation being built in Invercargill and Auckland in demanding real-world weather, complex airspace, and high-quality instructional environments is exactly the foundation that well-regarded airlines and competitive type rating programmes are looking for. Contact the team at Southern Wings today to start your journey to becoming an airline pilot today!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Exactly Is A Type Rating? A type rating is a mandatory legal endorsement on a pilot’s license that qualifies them to operate a specific make and model of aircraft. Because modern airliners are highly complex, ICAO and the New Zealand CAA require pilots to be specifically trained and certified for any aircraft over 5,700 kg or any turbojet-powered aircraft.
- How Long Does It Take To Get A Type Rating? Most type rating programs are intensive and typically take between four and six weeks to complete. The training is broken into three distinct phases: ground school (systems theory), simulator training (procedural and emergency handling), and base training (actual aircraft landings).
- Do I Have To Pay For My Own Type Rating? Usually, no. Most pilots hired by major airlines (like Air New Zealand or Jetstar) have their type rating fully funded by the airline as part of an employment package. In exchange, the pilot typically signs a “training bond,” which is a contractual agreement to remain with the airline for a set period (usually 12 to 36 months).
- What Does It Cost If I Choose To Self-Fund? If you decide to self-fund a type rating to increase your competitiveness, you can expect to pay between $50,000 and $80,000 NZD. This covers ground school and simulator costs, but you must also budget for additional expenses like travel, accommodation, and the mandatory “base training” (actual flight time) required to finalize the rating.
- Which Aircraft Types Are Most Important For NZ Pilots? The most strategically valuable ratings in New Zealand are the Airbus A320 family (used for domestic and trans-Tasman routes) and the Boeing 737 family. For those starting in the regional network, the ATR 72-600 is also a highly relevant and common first type rating for new pilots.