Advanced Training and Ratings

Advanced Training and Ratings

Although a night rating is not a requirement for the PPL or CPL license, it is a great way to improve your flying skills. The CPL night rating qualification is also a requirement if you wish to work as a frost pilot during the spring months.

During the rating you will get the opportunity to fly to various locations in the Christchurch and Canterbury area including over the city, which at night is a sight that has to be seen.

To obtain a PPL night rating in a helicopter you must achieve the following:

For night operations within 25nm of a lighted heliport or aerodrome:

  • 2 hrs dual instrument flight instruction in helicopters
  • 5 hours night flight time in helicopters including dual and solo

To obtain a CPL night rating in a helicopter you must achieve the following:

For night operations within 25nm of a lighted heliport or aerodrome:

  • 2 hrs dual instrument flight instruction in helicopters
  • 10 hours night flight time in helicopters including dual and solo

If you want to improve your skills as a helicopter pilot then a sling rating is what you need. Initially flying and hovering with a slung load under the helicopter is like your early days learning to hover.

Although carriage of sling loads is included in the CPL syllabus, it is however not included in the PPL syllabus. For those with international licences who require a sling rating as part of your NZCAA conversion, this rating is for you.

To obtain a PPL sling rating in a helicopter you must achieve the following:

  • 5 hours of sling training in helicopters including dual and solo.

To obtain a CPL sling rating in a helicopter you must achieve the following:

  • 10 hours of sling training in helicopters including dual and solo.

Christchurch Helicopters is one of only a few training providers within New Zealand to be able to offer the CAA approved Instructional Techniques course.

This course is a pre requisite to gaining a D or C Category flight instructor rating.

This is a four day course that covers the syllabus set out by the NZCAA and is both insightful and essential.

 The course is typically run four times a year from our base in Christchurch.

Christchurch Helicopters runs a very comprehensive ground theory school on site for our full time Diploma Programme. For part time students, we offer a great deal of support in the study of the required theory and will work with each individual to come up with a plan that suits their specific situation. 

With the Southern Alps and other mountainous terrain at our back doorstep, you’ll train in some of the most diverse conditions seen anywhere in the world. Snow, wind, altitude and beautiful blue sky days – it’s all there.

Our instructors teach safe and proven mountain flying techniques as well as guiding you to make good calls about where and when to go.

You will find that the Cabri G2 is well suited to this environment and is an excellent machine to fly in the mountains. The 3 bladed system makes it extremely capable in a variety of weather conditions.

To get started and for more information – call us on 0800 Fly Heli