Aug 17, 2025
Deciding where to learn to fly is one of the key milestones in your aviation career. While many places offer flight training, few can match the unique advantages and challenges of learning to fly in Invercargill, New Zealand.
What makes Invercargill so special? When training in Southland, the environment itself becomes a powerful teaching tool, preparing you not just to pass your flight tests but to become a competent and confident pilot. So what’s it like to train as a pilot in Invercargill? Flight training in Invercargill offers a unique advantage due to the region’s diverse and challenging weather conditions and close proximity to controlled and uncontrolled airspace. This type of flight training environment helps to build resilience and hone expertise, building valuable experience for any long-term aviation career.
Why Is The Weather In Southland Good For Pilot Training?
A common misconception out there is that perfect, sunny days are best for learning to fly. While great for building basic skills, consistently calm weather can actually create a false sense of security. The reality is that professional pilots need to be proficient in a variety of conditions (including the unpredictable ones!).
What’s the weather like in Southland? Invercargill’s location on the southern tip of the South Island exposes it to a wide range of weather conditions. The region is often the first to be affected by weather systems, with strong westerly winds common, especially around Foveaux Strait. The area has two distinct climate zones, the western ranges, including Fiordland, which are among the wettest places on Earth, and the eastern lowlands which are significantly drier. Temperatures in Southland are generally cooler than the rest of the country, with more frequent frosts and less sunshine on average, and, despite the sometimes windy conditions, winter is typically the least windy time of year.
So to sum it all up, while you can expect to encounter everything from clear, calm sunny days to gusty winds, rainfall, and low clouds – this isn’t a disadvantage for pilots in training, it’s a valuable learning opportunity! Invercargill weather conditions will help you gain real-world experience in:
- Understanding And Adapting To Changing Conditions. You’ll learn how to read complex weather systems, make informed go/no-go decisions, and handle turbulence with skill and confidence.
- Developing More Precise “Stick And Rudder” Skills. The variable wind conditions in the region are excellent for honing your manual flying abilities. You’ll learn to handle the aircraft with greater precision.
- Building Situational Awareness. When the weather is always changing, as a pilot, your mental workload increases. Sometimes without realising, this teaches you to stay ahead of the aircraft, prioritise tasks, and make sound judgments under pressure.
All of this off-the-beaten-path flight training exposure works ensures that when you graduate, you’ll be prepared for the realities of a global aviation career, not just for flying in a perfect training bubble!
What Kind Of Terrain Will You Fly Over From Invercargill?
The landscape around Invercargill is often described as a pilot’s dream. Unlike training grounds in flat, featureless areas, Southland offers an incredibly diverse and scenic backdrop for your lessons. As a student, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a range of different environments, including:
- Coastal Flying. You’ll be able to navigate along the rugged Southland coastline and even fly out towards Stewart Island, gaining experience with maritime weather effects.
- Mountain Flying. With the majestic Southern Alps and the incredible Fiordland region just a short flight away, you’ll be able to gain exposure to this challenging terrain that allows for comprehensive training in mountain flying, IFR procedures, and handling the challenging weather scenarios associated with mountain flying. All highly valuable skills for any pilot hoping to fly in New Zealand or other mountainous regions around the world.
- Rural And Urban Environments. Invercargill itself has its own fully secured, controlled domestic airport located 1.6 km west of the Central business district of Invercargill, and your cross-country flights will take you over a mix of farmland and smaller towns, teaching you how to manage your navigation and radio work in a variety of different settings.
The highly varied terrain that Southland offers trainee pilots not only makes for some of the most beautiful flying in the world but also forces you to constantly practice your navigation and decision-making skills in a dynamic, real-world environment!
How Does Training In A Quieter Controlled Airspace Benefit Student Pilots?
Invercargill Airport offers a good blend of being a controlled airport but with a lower traffic density than major hubs like Auckland or Christchurch. Unsurprisingly, this situation actually provides the best of both worlds for a student pilot.
- Best Of Both Worlds. Being exposed to real-world air traffic control experiences, where you will regularly communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and learn proper radio etiquette and procedures right from your very first flights building the professional habits and confidence required to fly in any airspace without the added stress and time constraints of a busier airport hub.
- Reduced Congestion. Unlike training at a large, busy international airport, the quieter airspace in Invercargill means less time spent waiting on the ground and more time spent in the air. This maximises your training hours and helps you progress through your licence faster.
- Uncontrolled Airspace Access. Easy access to uncontrolled airspace is also a big bonus. Southland is home to some of the largest areas of uncontrolled airspace in New Zealand. This allows you to practice key navigation and handling skills without the constant need for ATC clearances.
Training in an environment like Invercargill allows you to develop a deep understanding of how to operate in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace!
Looking for flight training options in Southland? Southern Wings has a flight training base located at Invercargill Airport. Whether it’s your PPL, CPL or an airline career, Southern Wings have got you covered!