Nelson Aviation College Flight Training in 2025: Start Dates

Nelson Aviation College offers a variety of comprehensive flight training programmes designed to help you achieve your goals, whether you aspire to become an airline pilot, a flight instructor, or explore the exciting world of general aviation. Our 2025 courses cater to different aspirations and experience levels, with flexible start dates and competitive pricing to suit your needs.

Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

A 16-week program for recreational pilots.

Includes 50 hours of flight time.

Course Dates: 7th February 2025, 2nd May 2025, 1st August 2025.

‍Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)

‍A 36-week course for those who wish to fly commercially.

Includes 200 hours of flight time.

Course Dates: 7th February 2025, 1st August 2025.

‍Instrument Rating (IR)

‍A 16-week course required for pilots who need to fly by instruments only (IFR).

Includes 40 hours of flight time.

Course Dates: January 2025, April 2025, July 2025, September 2025.

‍C Category Instructor Rating

‍A 12-week course for those with a CPL who wish to become instructors.

Includes 76 hours of Cessna 152 flight time.

Course Dates: July 2025.

‍Aerobatic Rating

‍A 2-week course for those who want to learn how to perform aerobatic manoeuvres.

Includes 10 hours of aerobatic flight.

Course Dates: Open.

‍New Zealand Diploma in Aviation — Aeroplane

‍Available in two strands: Airline Preparation and Flight Instruction.

Course Dates: 7th February 2025, 1st August 2025.

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Flight Training Pilot Theory Specialised Training

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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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