Once you have completed your Licence there are further achievements that will improve your skills, or just make you enjoy your flying even more.

Night Flying

One of the greatest experiences as a pilot is to use the privileges of a night rating. After your PPL you can complete five hours of night flying and you will then have the use of a night rating. This means you can carry passengers to see the wonderful views of flying by night.

Mountain Flying

As the terrain in New Zealand is varied, particularly around the South Island, a mountain flying course will enable you to feel confident and experience the thrill of flying through the mountains and viewing the magnificent scenery.

Instrument Training

An instrument rating allows you to fly on bad weather days but as a PPL is not always practical because of the currency requirements. However some aircraft have more complex instruments and autopilots that may be used by the Private licence holder. A basic course can teach you how to use these instruments to your advantage on long cross country flights.

Competition Flying

Each year the aero club sends a large team of representatives to compete at the regional competitions. If successful at the regionals, you will be invited to compete at the National competitions. Competitions are a fun way to meet like minded people at your aero club and from other clubs throughout New Zealand. It's not all about competing, it's quite social and a lot of fun with a large range of competitions ranging from precision circuits and landings to streamer cutting, liferaft dropping or aerobatics.

Formation Flying

The aero club can offer formation ratings. These are mainly used at competitions and displays are a fun way to improve your flying skills and learn to fly as part of a team.