New Zealand is privileged to receive thousands of international students each year that enjoy a safe, multi-cultural environment in which to study. New Zealand is a very unique, modern, technologically advanced country with world-famous, breathtaking scenery and it continues to be an affordable place to study and live. Heliflite has great pleasure in welcoming International Students to Flight Training.

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of 1.5 million. Situated in the upper North Island the city is engulfed by scenic harbours, volcanic islands, stunning beaches, vineyards and rain forests. Exciting international events, festivals, concerts and exhibitions are hosted in Auckland throughout the year.

Heliflite Charter and Training school is based at Ardmore Aerodrome, a 20-minute drive from the Airport and a 30-minute drive from Auckland’s city center. Ardmore is a uniquely situated aerodrome that enhances both private and commercial training by exposing students with a variety of terrain and airspace challenges. Ardmore is home to many of New Zealand’s historical Warbirds and hosts many flight shows and exhibitions each year.

Ardmore is surrounded by pastoral farmland, populated towns and also nestled between the Hunua Mountain Ranges and Whitford Forests offering real bush flying experiences. The Aerodrome neighbors the beautiful Gulf of Thames and Manukau Harbour and also adjoins Auckland international airport giving students valuable experience flying into ATC controlled airspace.

Heliflite Charter and Training follows the flight training syllabus as established by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Theory classes are taught by our experienced flight instructors in our state of the art facilities right on the aerodrome. Flying lessons are preceded by a classroom briefing, conducted on a whiteboard or PowerPoint by the instructor. International Students are required to be fluent in the English language before conducting any Flight Training.

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be eligible to hold a New Zealand Student Visa. Please refer to the NZ Immigration website for more details
• Have medical and travel insurance
• Hold a New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Medical Certificate
• Valid passport
• CAA fit and proper person status applies and students are required to produce a character reference and 2 referees
• The criteria for the fit and proper person test are:
  • The applicant’s conviction record for transport safety offenses.
  • The applicant’s experience in the transport industry.
  • The applicant’s knowledge of aviation regulatory requirements.
  • The applicant’s history of compliance with transport safety regulatory requirements.
  • The applicant’s history of physical or mental health or behavioral problems.
• Produce a criminal history report for all countries in which you resided in for 5 years or more.
• Produce a land transport offense history report for all countries in which you resided in for 5 years or more.

Heliflite Charter & Training has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the NZ Ministry of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from HCAT or from the NZ Ministry of Education website. Complying with this code signifies that HCAT’s training programs and staff are obliged to meet certain conditions prior to enrolling you and we are also required to provide you with pertinent information.

All international students require a student visa from Immigration New Zealand to enable the study to be undertaken in New Zealand. All applications need to be made through a New Zealand embassy. The visa process usually takes between 6 – 8 weeks, please allow enough time for this to be processed.

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service.

Flatting situations are very popular with aviation students. In most cases, a room in a flat (2,3,4 bedroom house) can cost anywhere between $100 – $200 per person a week. This varies due to house and room size, parking availability, etc. Other costs to be mindful of are electricity, internet, and phone, food bills. Some costs are shared and others are not. Some houses may be furnished and others may require the purchase of white goods such as refrigerators and washing machines.

When a house is leased a bond payment is required to financially protect the house owner from any damages caused by the tenants. The amount is paid prior to moving in and once the property has been inspected and no damage is reported prior to move out, the bond will be returned to you. The bond payment is usually 4 weeks rent and possibly a ‘letting’ fee charged by the real estate agent.