Learn to Fly programme

Choose the level of microlight pilot licence that suits you best:
  • First learn to fly solo on your Novice licence.
  • Then gain your Intermediate licence to fly nearby.
  • After that you can sit your Advanced Local licence which allows you to fly up to 90km away from your chosen base airfield. 
  • Finally go for your Advanced National licence to fly anywhere in NZ.
Instructors
We have a team of experienced volunteer instructors, who can teach you to fly in our two Alpi Pioneer training aircraft.

​They teach teenagers, young adults, parents and retired people, both female and male, so that everyone can safely enjoy the thrill of flying.
Lessons
Your instructor will take you for a series of 30 minute training flights in our dual-control microlight aircraft.

Each short lesson builds on your increasing skills and confidence. Initially flying straight + level, turns and climb/descend. Then take-off, circuits and landing. Later lessons will take you through stalls, steep turns and safety procedures, 

The instructor will also introduce you to theory topics such as principles of flight, aviation weather, flight planning, etc.

Microlight Pilot Licences

Gaining a Microlight Pilot Licence
FAC uses the Recreational Aircraft Association of NZ system for training pilots and awarding Microlight Pilot Licences.

Minimum age 16 yrs.
​
When you start learning, you will need to:
  • Get a Medical + Eyesight certificate your local GP (same standard as for Car Driver’s Licence)
  • Fill out a 'Fit and Proper Person' declaration (download the FPP form from RAANZ website)
  • Join the Fiordland Aero Club
  • Buy a Pilot Logbook
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Four Levels of Microlight Pilot Licence
  • Novice – ‘Ab-initio’ training for 25+ hours. Normally dual instruction, where the flight instructor teaches the student the basics of flying.  After 8 or more hours, the student may be ready to go solo. Every solo flight must be approved by the instructor. No passengers.
  • Intermediate - 25 total hours (minimum) + practical flight test. Allowed to fly within 10nM of base. No passengers.
  • Advanced Local - 40 total hours (minimum), practical flight test + 4x local cross-country exercises. Allowed to fly within 90km (50nM) of your base. Passenger rating extra*
  • Advanced National – 45 total hours (minimum), practical flight test + 4x regional cross-country exercises. Allowed to fly anywhere in NZ. Passenger rating extra*
* Passengers may be carried by Advanced pilots, if they have gained their Passenger Rating.
          For more info, download RAANZ Certificate Structure PDF.
Study
RAANZ provides an online training manual, with 11 different chapters such as “Principles of Flight”, “Aviation Weather”, “Flight Planning”, etc.
Study the online Training Manual, as you progress though the practical flying lessons.

Exams
  • To get your Intermediate licence, you need to pass 5 online multi-choice exams (Law, Navigation, Meteorology, Technical, Human Factors).   
                      You should go through each set of practice questions to get ready for your exams. There's plenty of time to sit each exam, so no need to stress.
  • To use a VHF aircraft radio or to fly near major airports, microlight pilots must also pass a FRTO Radio exam.

Costs
For the cost of flying with Fiordland Aero Club, go to Join FAC 

Fly-away Trips

Love to explore new places?
Enjoy meeting other pilots?
​Join us on a fly-away trip.

Local Day Trips

Local places that we fly to include Mandeville, Bluecliffs Beach, Opio, Thornbury, Lochiel and Mokoreta.
​Around the Takitimu Mountains is a great scenic trip, while the Eglinton Valley is stunning from the air.
Longer day trips may be to Oturehua, Taieri or the Catlins. 

RAANZ National Fly-ins

 Each year a group of members fly to the annual RAANZ Fly-in in the North or South Islands.
​Recent Fly-ins have been held at Hokitika, Rangiora, Motueka, Waipukurau or Stratford.​​

Airshow Trips

​Large airshows like Warbirds over Wanaka in Central Otago or Classic Fighters at Omaka
​are popular destinations for multi-day trips with other microlight pilots.
For photos of club member's aircraft, plus some interesting videos, go to our Gallery 

Competitions

  • Think you can nail a Spot Landing?
  • Fancy doing a Bombing Run?
  • How about a High Jump - take-off, clear a 1m high ribbon, then land in shortest distance?
​Take part in one of our competitions.