The New Zealand Diploma in Aviation is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under section 249 of the Education Act 1989, and Southern Wings is accredited to provide it under section 250 of the Act.

On the 1st January 2018 the Government introduced the free fees scheme for the first year of tertiary study. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the New Zealand Government will pay up to $12,000 to cover tuition fees towards your first year of full time study at Southern Wings.

To find out if you are eligible, use the Government’s online tool at https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/

The New Zealand Diploma in Aviation course that Southern Wings provides has three streams; General Aviation, Instructor and Airline Preparation.  All students of these streams will complete a Private Licence (PPL) and Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). After that the completion requirements depend on the stream chosen. For the Airline Preparation stream, students will complete a PPL ,CPL, and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR). Then they will undergo a secondary selection process for entry into the Airline Integration Course (AIC).

Diploma in Aviation – Airline Preparation Level 6

Graduates of this course will be qualified commercial pilots, able to exercise the privileges provided for by CAANZ in New Zealand, hold valid written examination credit covering the airline transport pilot licence theory subjects and are ready for airline multi-crew flying operations or work in associated roles and industries.  Graduates will have priority in future employment with Air New Zealand.

airline-preparation

Course Content

The aim of this course is to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve and Commercial Pilots Licence with type and instrument ratings (entitling the holder to legally operate an aircraft in New Zealand for commercial purposes), complete the theory requirements for an Airline Transport Pilots Licence and prepare for airline multi-crew flying operations.

Practical

Flying practical and flight tests for CPL and Single or Multi Engine Instrument Rating covering;

  • 230 hours of total flight time
    Included in this flight time will be;

    • Intensive cross-country training and advanced handling techniques
    • 30 hours of cross-country navigation
    • 40 hours of instrument time
  • Knowledge of the privileges and limitations of a CPL
  • Technical and operational knowledge relevant to the aircraft type used in flight tests
  • Competence to operate the aircraft
  • Control of the aircraft at all times ensuring successful outcome of procedure or manoeuvre is never in doubt
  • Competence in Radiotelephony
  • Competency for an appropriate type rating
  • Competency for night flying and instrument flying for night flying privilege
    Readiness for airline multi-crew flying operations

Theory

Through Digital Classroom Technology, students are taught by subject experts across both bases.

CPL theory subjects including;

  • Air Law
  • Flight Navigation
  • Meteorology
  • Principles of Flight and Aircraft Performance
  • General Aircraft Technical Knowledge
  • Human Factors

Single or Multi Engine Instrument Rating  theory subjects including;

  • Air Law
  • Navigation and Flight Planning
  • Instruments and Navigation Aids

Airline Transport Pilot Licence theory subjects including;

  • Air Law
  • Flight Planning
  • Flight Navigation
  • Instruments and Navigation Aids
  • Meteorology
  • Advanced Aerodynamics Performance and Systems
  • Human Factors

Diploma in Aviation – General Aviation Level 5

Graduates of this course will be qualified commercial pilots, able to exercise the privileges provided for by the CAANZ in New Zealand.

general-aviation

Course Content

The aim of this course is to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve a Commercial Pilots Licence with type and instrument ratings, entitling the holder to legally operate an aircraft in New Zealand for commercial purposes.

Practical

Flying practical and flight tests for CPL  and Single or Multi Engine Instrument Rating covering;

  • 230 hours of total flight time
    Included in this flight time will be;

    • Intensive cross-country training and advanced handling techniques
    • 30 hours of cross-country navigation
    • 40 hours of instrument time
  • Knowledge of the privileges and limitations of a CPL
  • Technical and operational Knowledge relevant to the aircraft type used in flight tests
  • Competence to operate the aircraft
  • Control of the aircraft at all times ensuring successful outcome of procedure or manoeuvre is never in doubt
  • Competence in Radiotelephony
  • Knowledge of the acceptance and carriage of dangerous goods by air
  • Competency for an appropriate type rating
  • Competency for night flying and flights where Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) are required
  • GPS and ILS Approach

Theory

Through Digital Classroom Technology, students are taught by subject experts across both bases.

Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) theory subjects including;

  • Air Law
  • Flight Navigation
  • Meteorology
  • Principles of Flight and Aircraft Performance
  • General Aircraft Technical Knowledge
  • Human Factors

Single or Multi Engine Instrument Rating (SEIR or MEIR) including;

  • Air Law
  • Navigation and Flight Planning
  • Instruments and Navigation Aids

    • Diploma in Aviation – Flight Instruction Level 6

    Graduates of this course will be qualified commercial pilots, with a Category C Flight Instructor Rating able to exercise the privileges provided for by the CAANZ in New Zealand.

    cabin-instruction

    Course Content

    The aim of this course is to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve a Commercial Pilots Licence with type and instrument ratings, entitling the holder to legally operate an aircraft in New Zealand for commercial purposes and a Category C Flight Instructor Rating.

    Practical

    Flying practical and flight tests for CPL  and Single or Multi Engine Instrument Rating covering;

    • 230 hours flight time, plus 25 hours dual instruction towards your Instructor rating and Pilot in Command hours.
      Included in this flight time will be;

      • Intensive cross-country training and advanced handling techniques
      • 30 hours of cross-country navigation
      • 40 hours of instrument time
    • Knowledge of the privileges and limitations of a CPL
    • Technical and operational Knowledge relevant to the aircraft type used in flight tests
    • Competence to operate the aircraft
    • Control of the aircraft at all times ensuring successful outcome of procedure or manoeuvre is never in doubt
    • Competence in Radiotelephony
    • Category C Flight Instructor Rating
    • Competency for an appropriate type rating
    • Competency for night flying and instrument flying for night flying privilege
    • A minimum of two electives from instruction in;Night flight, aerobatic flight, spinning flight and multi-engine flight

    Theory

    Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) theory subjects including;

    • Air Law, Flight Navigation
    • Meteorology
    • Principles of Flight and Aircraft Performance
    • General Aircraft Technical Knowledge
    • Human Factors

    Single or Multi Engine Instrument Rating (SEIR or MEIR) including;

    • Air Law
    • Navigation and Flight Planning
    • Instruments and Navigation Aids

    Airline Integration Course (AIC)

    The Airline Integration Course is designed to equip low-hour pilots with the skills they need to work in a multi-crew airline environment.  This course is available if you are enrolled in the Airline Preparation Course, however you will undergo a secondary selection process for entry onto the AIC course.  AIC provides CPL/MEIR holders with a detailed introduction to the many demands of a multi-crew cockpit and the systems and operations of modern turbo-prop and jet aircraft.  For low-hour pilots or those with no commercial multi-crew experience the AIC provides excellent preparation for a candidates first type rating.

    airline-integration

    The course is completed over four weeks and includes the following subjects;

    • Human Factors
    • The Role of an Airline Pilot
    • Primary Flight Management
    • Use of Operational Documents
    • Safety Management Systems
    • Advanced Aircraft Systems
    • Managing Threats to Safe Flight
    • 20 Hours full flight sim per crew
    • A flight deck familiarisation (observational flight) and visits to an air traffic control centre and operational control and planning departments of Air New Zealand.

    Entry Requirements

    • Be at least 18 before the date of your CPL flight exam.
    • Complete the ADAPT pilot prescreening tool on the ATTO Skills Connect website: nzskillsconnect.co.nz. Follow the aviation link to complete the pilot pre-screening test.  You need to score “Average” or above.  A grade of “Below Average” will only be acceptable in individually assessed special circumstances.
    • Four years secondary schooling in a country where the first language is English; or an IELTS overall score of 6.0, with no sub-part (reading, writing, listening, or speaking) below 6.0.
    • Some experience of being around aircraft, or provides evidence of self motivated efforts to educate themselves about aircraft and the profession of being a pilot.
    • NCEA Level 3 Certificate (or equivalent) with;
      • At least 14 Level 3 credits in a language rich subject, and
      • At least 14 Level 3 credits in a numbers orientated subject

    Or

    • A trade qualification of Level 4 or above

    Or

    • A pass in all PPL subjects gained over a period of no more than 42 days where;
      1. No more than two subjects have been failed
      2. No one subject has been failed more then twice
    • A New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Medical Certificate, Class 1.
    • As CAA fit and proper person status applies students are required to produce a character reference and two referees, produce a criminal record history from the Ministry of Justice and a Land Transport offence history from Land Transport New Zealand.

    Selection Interview Criteria

    As a signatory to the New Zealand Aviation Industry Association Incorporated Flight Training Code of Practice. The interview must show that candidates demonstrate;

    • A genuine interest in an aviation career which must include a written statement by the candidate.
    • Appropriate information from background checks, character references and/or referees statements.
    • Above average communication skills with emphasis on being a member of a team.
    • A positive and open attitude to learning.
    • Self motivation and self awareness.
    • A person of sound judgement who is able to demonstrate clear decision making skills.
    • Responsibility and maturity.
      • A New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Medical Certificate, Class 1.
      • As CAA fit and proper person status applies students are required to produce a character reference and two referees, produce a criminal record history from the Ministry of Justice and a Land Transport offence history from Land Transport New Zealand.