New Zealand

HighBypass · Post by **HighBypass** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:59 pm

Hey does anyone have any info about getting the canadaian CPL converted to a NZ licence?

Also what is the industry doing over there? is there any job oppurtunities for low timers?

thanks,

BL.

B757FO · Post by **B757FO** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:02 pm

The conversion is a simple form. You will submit it and they will tell you what you need to cover for the conversion. Similar to a CAA conversion.

Air New Zealand is hiring but only for legally entitled people for the country. If you goto Air New Zealands web site follow the requirements part of the pilot job then refrence the documents you will require to apply for permanent work visa. It is costly just so you know. They are hiring but they tell you on the website that you will be competing against 500 other pilots with atleast 3000+ hours. It says the exact stats. But I forget exactly. If you are already legally allowed to work there and you want to fly a 767 or 747 and not a 737 then I would go go go. I believe you are also entitled to work in AUS with the same application but I am not sure.

I hope this helps this was the process I went through researching.

motox415 · Post by **motox415** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:42 pm

New Zealand = low pay plus high cost of living and few jobs. Go to Australia.

DHQ · Post by **DHQ** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:20 pm

I'm a Canadian pilot currently working in New Zealand.

The CPL conversion is quite easy. You have to do a review (not even a flight test) with an instructor, write the NZ Air Law exam and get a NZ medical. If you haven't done 250h of commercial flying in Canada, after the issue of your Canadian license, then you'll need to write all the NZ CPL exams (about 6 I think).

The real hurdle is immigration. It's a points based system, where you'll basically need a job offer and qualification to get enough points. I used a college aviation diploma as my qualification, but i'm not sure if the Canadian CPL on it's own can count. I THINK it does. If you have some random degree unrelated to aviation, that wont count either because the qualification you use needs to be "in the field" of your job offer.

The NZ job market is very small. Even when you look at the aircraft registrys there are 4000 aircraft registered in NZ as compared to Canada at 30,000. There isn't a high demand for pilots right now, but possibly more demand than in Canada. Job hunting over here was a really pleasant experience. Calling a CP was never a problem, and usually resulted in an invite to come tour the company and sit down for a chat & coffee, even if they weren't hiring. I don't know much about the airline and commuter operations, but pay among the smaller operators and tour companies I'd say is at least equal or usually better than what you'd get in Canada.

As a low time pilot, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to find a first job and build a few hours, I'd say NZ is not the answer. If you're looking to live in an awesome country for a few years, and realize you probably wont score a flying job on your first day, then give it a go.

Cheers.

ramp_agent · Post by **ramp_agent** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:59 pm

Good Luck.

kavupilot · Post by **kavupilot** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:15 pm

Immigration into New Zealand is not in any way as hard as the U.S, i have NZ passport and brought a girlfriend with me and they offered her resident status on the spot...so find a woman. As far as jobs the previous comments are very true, finding a job with little or no experience is very hard, much like Canada but if you have around 2000 hrs with turbine experience you may slide into a job at eagle or air nelson both Air New Zealand carriers they fly 1900D's (eagle) saabs and Q400's (air nelson).

Jumpus Pilotus · Post by **Jumpus Pilotus** » Sun May 07, 2006 1:03 pm

Hi there.

Please define "low timers". Less than 1000? 1000-2000?

I'm asking this because I just got confirmation of a job in Zew Zealand starting next fall and I also happen to be a pilot, so I may try to find a flying job once I get there.

The company I'll work for in NZ will provide me with a working visa and I have more than 1200 TT. I'm a Canadian citizen with canadian CPL.

What do you guys think of my chances of landing a pilot job?

Any advises will be more than welcome.

Thanks.[/quote]

water wings · Post by **water wings** » Sun May 07, 2006 1:24 pm

boy... lotsa info here so far, excellent...i personally have no idea what it takes.. i only started the process but never finished it. I got in touch with the NZ civil aviation dept and they sent me a whole buncha information. I also looked into the government site for working Visas (did you know that a hairdresser can work in almost any country in the world as that trade is not only recognized, but needed worldwide? fascinating)I have my NZ passport and citizenship, but was told i still should be a resident first. Or get a place that says i have a job to go to - kinda like a mini-sponsorship. (so by the sounds of that, i still have to go down there in person 1st)

one of my recent co-workers is a NZ and came up to Canada for work, so i don't know what that tells ya... unless he just got sick of the great weather, the oceans and the beautiful flora... yeah, that must be it.

good luck, and maybe i'll see ya down there!!

Shady McSly · Post by **Shady McSly** » Sun May 07, 2006 4:32 pm

There's a C206 and a piston Otter in, I think, a town called Taupo - interior of the North Is. They were hurting for people when I was there and I was basically offered a job on the spot. It sounds like if I would have had just a temp. work visa (which are easy to get) they would have easily helped get everything else needed.

So if you have certain experience like floats or good twin time there's jobs to be had.

Plus NZ kicks ass anyway - great uncrowded surf beaches everywhere.

water wings · Post by **water wings** » Sun May 07, 2006 4:36 pm

Shady McSly wrote:There's a C206 and a piston Otter in, I think, a town called Taupo

i went to school there!! When, may i ask were you there? i'm bookin' a flight right now....

kavupilot · Post by **kavupilot** » Sun May 07, 2006 9:39 pm

water wings... if you have a nz passport all you need now is an ird number..like a social insurance number go to their website and it will tell you how to get it..then you are free to work where ever..good luck hope you find something

ptc · Post by **ptc** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:32 pm

am off to New Zealand in September!!! was just down there and spoke with some companies, and i agree that is was a very pleasant experience...the float company on the North Island is actually on Lake Rotorua and they have a couple C206's and an Otter as well as 2 helicopters

lucky for me my girlfriend is a Kiwi so I am going down on an family class visa

polarkiwi · Post by **polarkiwi** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:51 pm

Im back in NZ after several years in Canada- honestly NZ is a lovely place but I'd stay in canada if you have any leads, bigger place and way more jobs particually at the entry level/ mid level. Not much hiring going on here now (some) its slowed up because..... no suprise Air NZ has put the brakes on hiring..... unlike Canada at the moment.
Also dont forget the cost of living- I dont care what anyone says- its expensive here... gas is now 1-70 a liter... if you want a shitty house in Auckland (or a lot of places now) with no insulation, no central air make sure you have about 400K in your pocket........ the dollar has tanked... no one has dental or medical plans..... there is no EI ( a poor version)... maternity leave is not paid leave .....drivers are crazy.... and you cant find NHL on TV to save yourself
BUT
everyone seems to think they are well off, they care about each other and that living in NZ makes up for getting screwed in most other respects.
Your choice... ha ha

Boss Hawg · Post by **Boss Hawg** » Thu May 11, 2006 4:38 am

Actually ptc there are places out of both Rotorua and Taupo that have floatplanes. The Rotorua company has a piston Otter and a couple of 206's, and the place in Taupo I believe has an Otter as well (although I didn't see it when I was there) but definitely a 206. On the south island there is a place in Picton now (just moved there from the west coast) with a 206, and another place in Te Anau with a 206. They are both owner/operator types so I doubt if you'd get a flying job with them.

There is a lot of skydiving there so you may get a lead on that end. Not sure what the requirements for it are, I guess it would depend on the machine. Some outfits use turbines, some use Cessnas. The other thing that keeps small airplanes flying is flightseeing on wheel planes, particularly into Milford Sound from Queenstown on 185's, 206's and 207's. Guys doing that get hired with a fresh CPL.

ptc · Post by **ptc** » Thu May 11, 2006 6:48 am

Did not know about the Rotorua place. Will have to pay them a visit.

Just some info for anyone considering heading there you need to have your log books and licences reviewd by Aviation Services LTD http://www.aviation.co.nz/

They need your original logs and certified copies of your licence/ratings, medical and RTO.[/url]

Over the Horn · Post by **Over the Horn** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:00 am

Rotarua a great place if you like the smell of rotten eggs!

benliliura · Post by **benliliura** » Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:29 am

DHQ wrote: ↑Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:20 pm I'm a Canadian pilot currently working in New Zealand.

The CPL conversion is quite easy. You have to do a review (not even a flight test) with an instructor, write the NZ Air Law exam and get a NZ medical. If you haven't done 250h of commercial flying in Canada, after the issue of your Canadian license, then you'll need to write all the NZ CPL exams (about 6 I think).

The real hurdle is immigration. It's a points based system, where you'll basically need a job offer and qualification to get enough points. I used a college aviation diploma as my qualification, but i'm not sure if the Canadian CPL on it's own can count. I THINK it does. If you have some random degree unrelated to aviation, that wont count either because the qualification you use needs to be "in the field" of your job offer.

The NZ job market is very small. Even when you look at the aircraft registrys there are 4000 aircraft registered in NZ as compared to Canada at 30,000. There isn't a high demand for pilots right now, but possibly more demand than in Canada. Job hunting over here was a really pleasant experience. Calling a CP was never a problem, and usually resulted in an invite to come tour the company and sit down for a chat & coffee, even if they weren't hiring. I don't know much about the airline and commuter operations, but pay among the smaller operators and tour companies I'd say is at least equal or usually better than what you'd get in Canada.

As a low time pilot, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to find a first job and build a few hours, I'd say NZ is not the answer. If you're looking to live in an awesome country for a few years, and realize you probably wont score a flying job on your first day, then give it a go.

Cheers.

Hi there, I noticed you mentioned that "if one doesn't have 250hr commercial operations, he/she has to sit for NZ CPL exams" My question is, is that the on thing you have to do - sit for NZ CPL exams or you have to also do some flying? please advise.

albertdesalvo · Post by **albertdesalvo** » Wed Nov 25, 2020 9:53 am

benliliura wrote: ↑Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:29 amHi there, I noticed you mentioned that "if one doesn't have 250hr commercial operations, he/she has to sit for NZ CPL exams" My question is, is that the on thing you have to do - sit for NZ CPL exams or you have to also do some flying? please advise.

You are replying to a message written 14 years ago!

New Zealand

New Zealand

...

Please define "low timer"

Re: TC Pilot License to CAA NZ

Re: TC Pilot License to CAA NZ