Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF Pilot

Training at RNZAF Pilot Training Squadron (PTS) comprises classroom work and flying instruction on the CT-4E Airtrainer. The Airtrainer phase is 34 weeks of lectures and flying, including 108 hours dual instruction and 38 hours solo flying.

During the Airtrainer phase students learn basic flying techniques and are taught general handling, aerobatics, spinning, instrument flying, night flying, formation flying and medium/low level (250ft above the ground) navigation.

Having successfully passed the Airtrainer phase, students continue training on the Beechcraft King Air B200 of No.42 Squadron flying a further 80 hours. On completion of the King Air phase, successful graduates receive the coveted Pilots Brevet (wings) and continue their career as an operational pilot in the RNZAF.

PTS has 13 CT-4E Airtrainers at Ohakea. The combined annual flying hours allocated to these units is 6,800. The RNZAF is looking to replace these aircraft with either the Short Tucano or the Beechcraft Texan T-6 II.

Note: In 2001 the New Zealand Government removed the RNZAF air combat capability.

Updated On: 12.04.28