Astral Helicopters
Your training Ground! Aircraft your instructors fly.

International Helicopter Pilot Students

Cost Effectiveness

New Zealand is one of the most cost effective destinations for helicopter training due to our stable economy and favourable present exchange rates, and Rotorua is one of our most affordable cities in terms of living costs. So you will be gaining not only one of the most highly respected helicopter licences in the world, but you will achieve it at one of the best rates in the world.

Weather

Rotorua enjoys around 320 flyable days each year, so you will be achieving maximum effectiveness and flying opportunities for your valuable time. With our clean air and clear skies we average around 60km visibility and regularly enjoy 100kms + visibility.

Rotorua enjoys the following climate:

Average annual rainfall (mm): 1,401
Average annual sunshine hours: 2,117
Average summer temperature (C): 23
Average winter temperature (C): 12

New Zealand's maritime climate provides a variety of weather conditions in which to expand a students skills, as they gain experience and confidence. During the CPL course you will learn the valuable skills to safely fly in a range of conditions.

Astral Helicopters welcomes international students to our flight training course and to our beautiful city of Rotorua. With over 2 million tourist visitors every year, Rotorua is a truly cosmopolitan city with a diverse range of international restaurants, cultural activities and events for all nationalities.

And with the present exchange rates you will be getting not only the highest quality helicopter training but also some of the cheapest helicopter training in the world.

view of beach from a helicopter view of beach from a helicopter Helicopter landing in snow

International Students Entry Criteria

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a Class 1 Medical Certificate, and demonstrate the ability to undertake the qualification with a reasonable likelihood of success. Applicants must also meet the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZCAA) fit and proper person status requirements (production of a character reference and two referee reports) plus criminal record and offence histories from the Ministry of Justice and Land Transport NZ or international equivalent. Applicants must provide evidence of the achievement of 12 credits or better at Level 2 NCEA in each of three subjects which must include Mathematics, English, and preferably a Science subject (or demonstrate equivalency). An applicant who does not reach this standard will be required to pass a series of aviation related pre-entry selection tests including an interview. Applicants for whom English is a second language must have achieved IELTS 6.0 or equivalent and passed the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Aviation English Proficiency Test.

Credit recognition will be granted to intending students who have achieved the NZCAA Private Pilot Licence (Helicopter).

A strong desire to achieve and a willingness to work in class however are more important than academic qualifications.

Students need to obtain a Class 1 Medical Certificate before they are eligible to complete a professional licence. Students intending to complete a Private Pilot Licence will need a Class 2 Certificate only. International students require a chest x-ray for immigration purposes and should retain a copy of their x-ray image and certificate for the NZ CAA medical. Visit this link for a list of medical examiners in your country, otherwise Astral Helicopters can arrange an examiner for you upon arrival into NZ.

Prospective students who do not have English as their first language need to be able to read and speak English comfortably. These students will be required to provide proof of language ability with an IELTS score of 6.0 or more when completing their application. Alternatively students may be interviewed by the Chief Flying Instructor and may be required to provide further information before being accepted onto the course. Students will be required to complete an English Language Test before the issue of their flight crew licence. Astral Helicopters can assist with language training if necessary after arrival.

Student Visa Issue

International Students will be required to hold a Student Visa. You or you agent must take the following steps to apply for a Student Visa, prior to leaving your home country:

  1. Print off the Student Visa application guide and read thoroughly
  2. Print off the Student Visa application Form and work through each section
  3. Full details and answers to most questions can be found on the New Zealand Immigration Department website www.immigration.govt.nz
  4. In addition to the completed visa application form, students will require:
    1. Students may require a chest x-ray and medical report for the visa issue, but all students will need a Class 1 pilots medical in order to hold a CPL licence. You can find the nearest authorised CAA doctor to issue you this medical report
    2. Students may require a police report from their home country for the visa issue, but all students will require a criminal history report and a driver licence history report for their pilots licence issue get further details here.
    3. Astral Helicopters Ltd will provide an Offer of Place letter, and evidence of payment of the course fees (once paid in full)
    4. Current Passport, valid for at least 15 months from the start of the course date
    5. Evidence of outward travel from New Zealand (open airline ticket)
    6. Evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay in New Zealand, generally $10 000 NZD per year
    7. Travel and health insurance for the duration of their stay
    8. Recent passport photograph.
    9. Attach applicable processing fee
  5. Attach all of the required documents and fee to the application form and forward to your nearest New Zealand Immigration Office
  6. You will be contacted once your application has been processed

Course Fees for International Students

Under New Zealand Government legislation, full course fees are required to be paid before the issue of any student visa. Astral Helicopters Ltd holds an independently audited trust account, administered under the provisions of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Students will pay the full course fees in advance. These full course fees are then held in this trust account and training fees will be paid from this trust account in arrears at the end of each month.

Details of our Course Refunds Policy