Training Beyond the Standard

Base Location

Premiere flight educational facility based in the Nelson Tasman.

Motueka Base

Our main theory and VFR flight training base is located at Motueka Aerodrome, a short 40 minute drive (or 15 minute flight) from Nelson Airport. Motueka Aerodrome is located in uncontrolled airspace, and therefore has no Air Traffic Control. This means that you will not experience any delays during your flight training, maximising every hour in the air. The first year of the Diploma in Aviation is spent at Motueka completing both your PPL and CPL licences. From there you will progress to our IFR training facility at Nelson Airport.

Nelson Base

Located in Airport House, Trent Drive, Nelson Airport, is our dedicated IFR training base headquarters. Nelson Airport is New Zealand's busiest domestic only airport. Here you will complete either your single or multi-engine instrument rating course in technically enhanced (glass cockpit) equipped aircraft. Training is available on VOR, ILS and GPS Navigational Aids. By operating out of Nelson Airport, students have the ability to easily access the required Navigational Aids and operate amongst scheduled commercial operations. Exposure to airline personnel and other commercial pilots makes Nelson an ideal IFR training location.

MORE ABOUT NAC

Training Above the Standard

Campus

Accommodation

Pastoral Care

360 Tour

The Nelson Tasman Region

Course

Flight Training

Pilot Theory

Specialised Training

Enhancing Pilot Training with Advanced Simulation Technology at Nelson Aviation College

November 7, 2025

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Nelson Aviation College Takes Flight Training to New Heights with True Course Simulations' C-172 Immersive Training Device

November 25, 2024

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Congratulations to the Nelson Aviation College Class of 2024

November 6, 2024

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Nelson Aviation College Boosts IFR Training with a New Simulator

Nelson Aviation College has significantly enhanced our Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training capabilities with the addition of a state-of-the-art Simutech PAA G1000NXi Simulated Flight Trainer (SFT) and six new Simutech desktop touchscreen Procedure Trainers (PTs).

November 7, 2025

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Nelson Aviation College Unveils a New Brand Identity

We've been busy working away at a full brand refresh to better reflect the values and vision of Nelson Aviation College.

October 7, 2024

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Nelson Aviation College Embraces Electric Aircraft with an Exciting New Announcement

Nelson Aviation College is proud to announce a partnership with Infinitus Aero to introduce the E22 Spark Electric Aircraft to our training fleet.

October 7, 2024

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