Joel Fetcher / Student
I started my aviation career at Southern Wings and I am incredibly glad that’s where it began. Southern Wings was the obvious choice for me with their reputation and standards of flight training being exceptionally great. Being located a stone’s throw away from some incredible places like Stewart Island, Fiordland and the Central Otago area, as well as the combination of variable weather, Southern Wings provides a unique and robust training environment.
Southern Wings’ facilities and aircraft are ideal and cater all training requirements. The instructors at Southern Wings are fantastic and take pride in their students. I credit them to really training beyond the standard, they made my flight training a seamless experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Southern Wings. I made new life-long friends, grew connections in the industry that in turn opened the doors to my career path. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the team at Southern Wings, and can highly recommend their flight school to anyone.
Achievements
- NZ Diploma in Aviation – Airline Strand
- C-Cat Instructor Rating
Aviation employment since graduation:
- 2017 Southern Wings, Instructor
- 2017 – 2019 Stewart Island Flights, Pilot
- 2019 – 2020 Air New Zealand, ATR 72 First Officer
- 2020 – 2021 Stewart Island Flights, Pilot
- 2021 – Present Air New Zealand, ATR 72 First Officer
Jeremy Howell / Student
I found Southern Wings to be a great place to study, with friendly, experienced staff and easy access to all the amazing scenery the South Island has to offer. Throughout my training, I experienced flying in many different weather conditions over all sorts of terrain across the South Island, from Fiordland to the Marlborough Sounds and many places in between. The training and experience I gained at Southern Wings prepared me well for my first flying job as a line pilot at Stewart Island Flights.
Southland was the best location for me to complete my flight training, with friendly people, affordable living and easy access to the outdoors, with diving, hunting and hiking all a short drive from Invercargill.
Achievements
- NZ Diploma in Aviation – Airline Strand
- C-Cat Instructor Rating
Aviation employment since graduation:
- 2020 – Pilot Stewart Island Flights
David Moffatt / Student
Flight training at Southern Wings was an enjoyable experience that I would recommend to anyone looking to get into aviation. Flying in Southland, you are exposed to diverse weather and varied terrain which you will not find anywhere else in the country. This exposure allowed me to develop my stick and rudder skills and situational awareness, which was valuable going into my first aviation job. All the staff at Southern Wings are incredibly helpful and with their knowledge and experience provide an excellent learning environment.
Achievements
- NZ Diploma in Aviation – Airline Preparation
- Multi Engine Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilots License
Aviation employment since graduation:
- 2019 – 2022 Pilot Stewart Island Flights
- 2022 – First Officer Skyline Aviation
Hamish Christie / Student
Being born and bred in Southland, Southern Wings was the right choice for me when it came to flight training. Progressing first as a student pilot and then working up the instructing ladder, Southern Wings provided me with all the support and opportunity I needed to achieve my airline dream.
Invercargill and its surrounding regions offered a diverse set of challenges and conditions, which helped me hone my stick and rudder skills as well as build my situational awareness – some of the best flying in New Zealand.
All of the staff at Southern Wings are very passionate about aviation. They were always happy to go above and beyond to help, and share their knowledge and experience.
The skills I’ve learnt and the memories I have of Southern Wings will stick with me throughout my career.
Achievements
Commercial Pilots Licence, Multi-engine Instrument Rating, C-Category, B-Category and Multi-engine Instructor Rating.
Aviation employment since graduation:
- 2010 – 2014 Instructor, Southern Wings Aviation College, 2010-2014.
- 2014 – Present Current employment: Captain, ATR-72-600, Air NZ / Mount Cook Airline
Leon Gibbs / Student
Training with Southern Wings was the only choice for me. No other environment can offer what Southland offers. The adverse weather, a friendly social environment and top instructors was what I was looking for in a training organisation and met all of my expectations.
Achievements
- Commercial Pilot License
- Multi Engine
- Instrument Rating
- C Category Instructor Rating
- B Category Instructor Rating
Aviation employment since graduation:
- 2008 Southern Wings Instructor
- 2010 Stewart Island Flights
- 2012 Air New Zealand