Meet the Team: Celine Bennison, Flight Operations Officer

March 10, 2026

Celine Bennison serves as the Flight Operations Officer at Nelson Aviation College. In this role, she and the wider operations team are dedicated to ensuring that students extract the maximum value from every single day of their training.

Comprehensive daily support

The core mission of the operations department is to provide robust support both in the air and on the ground. This involves working closely with flight instructors to offer additional assistance whenever it is required. Furthermore, the team is readily available for students who feel they might need a little extra guidance or support outside of their standard lessons.

While clear skies and pleasant weather make for a smooth day of flying, perfect conditions are not always the most beneficial for a pilot's education. Celine notes that becoming a highly competent aviator requires the ability to operate safely in marginal conditions as well. Experiencing a wide variety of weather scenarios is highly advantageous for a student's overall development. When the weather dictates that flying is entirely off the table, the operations team ensures that progress does not halt. Students are immediately transitioned to relevant ground work or theory studies, meaning there is always plenty of productive work to accomplish even on non-flying days.

A foundation of encouragement

Undertaking flight training is a rigorous and demanding process. Because it is not an easy journey, having a dedicated support network is absolutely crucial. Celine highlights that students genuinely appreciate knowing there is a committed team standing firmly behind them. This collective desire to see every student succeed makes a significant difference in their overall training experience and morale.

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Meet the Team: Celine Bennison, Flight Operations Officer

Celine Bennison serves as the Flight Operations Officer at Nelson Aviation College. In this role, she and the wider operations team are dedicated to ensuring that students extract the maximum value from every single day of their training.

March 12, 2026

Meet the Team: Aaron Pearce - A Category Flight Examiner, Safety Manager and Training and Development Manager at Nelson Aviation College

At Nelson Aviation College, the quality of our training is directly tied to the expertise and dedication of our staff. To give you a closer look at the people shaping the next generation of pilots, we sat down with Aaron Pearce, an A Category Flight Examiner who holds two critical roles at the college: Safety Manager and Training and Development Manager.

February 24, 2026

From Around the World to Nelson: A New Resource for International Students

At Nelson Aviation College, we understand that learning to fly is more than just a career choice. It is a life-changing adventure. For our international students, that adventure begins with a leap of faith: moving to a new country, adapting to a new culture, and mastering complex skills in a foreign environment.

February 12, 2026

Supporting the Future of Aviation: Congratulations to the 2026 Flying New Zealand Young Eagles Scholarship winners!

Nelson Aviation College is proud to announce another year of exceptional talent emerging from the Flying New Zealand Young Eagles programme. Following a rigorous selection process that highlighted the incredible standard of young aviators in New Zealand, the recipients of the 2026 scholarships have been confirmed.

January 21, 2026

Personalised attention: How NAC maintains high training standards

Nelson Aviation College is committed to providing focused, high-quality instruction to every student. A key factor in maintaining this standard, particularly during the critical flight training phase, is our dedication to a low student-to-instructor ratio.

November 17, 2025

Nelson Aviation College congratulates latest recipient of the prestigious Pauwels Flying Scholarship

Nelson Aviation College is delighted to announce that Luka Winz has been named a recipient of this year's highly recognised Pauwels Flying Scholarship. This esteemed award, sponsored by the Gattung Foundation, supports promising young pilots across New Zealand in achieving their aviation ambitions by facilitating professional flight training at NAC.

November 19, 2025

Your Aviation Journey Begins at NAC: Programmes for International Students

Our new 2026 Prospectus has been published and is your essential guide to becoming a pilot with Nelson Aviation College. It contains all the important information you need to get started on your training with us.

February 12, 2026

Meet Nelson Aviation College at the Air New Zealand Pilot Career Evenings 2025

This August, Nelson Aviation College, a proud Air New Zealand Preferred Flight Training Organisation, is excited to be part of the highly anticipated Air New Zealand Pilot Career Evenings across the country.

August 6, 2025

Nelson Aviation College Partners Nelson Airport for Plane Spotting Photography Competition 2025

Nelson Aviation College is delighted to announce the 2025 Nelson Airport Plane Spotting Photo Competition. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our shared love for aviation and to highlight the incredible photographic talent right here in the Nelson region.

August 6, 2025

Choosing the Right Flight School: A Comprehensive Guide

Selecting the right flight school is one of the most critical decisions you'll make on your journey to becoming a pilot. Your choice directly influences your training quality, your overall experience, and your future career prospects. At Nelson Aviation College, we believe an informed decision leads to a successful aviation career.

August 6, 2025