Learning to fly is both fun and achievable when you come to the Canterbury Recreational Aircraft Club. For between just $1700 & $3000 most people can reach the point of flying solo in our 80 hp aircraft (RGA & RGC) and with some study, and more flying hours (both with an instructor and solo), you can achieve the RAANZ Advanced Microlight Pilot Certificate to allow you to fly all over the country.
The first thing you need to do is to arrange a introductory instructional flight. Contact one of the instructors listed below and arrange a flight where you will get to fly the aircraft.
Once you have decided that you want to learn to fly, you will need to have your GP complete a Medical Certificate for you, and you will also need to complete a Fit & Proper Person Declaration (both on the Resources page) Take the completed forms to your instructor (at your next lesson). Your Instructor will then help you apply for a Microlight Pilots License to be issued by RAANZ (Recreational Aircraft Association of New Zealand). At this stage you will need to join the club (an annual subscription and joining fee, see the Prices page) and also RAANZ (annual subscription). You will also need to purchase both a Pilots Logbook and a Pilots Training Manual.
Instruction should be arranged with your chosen Instructor. Please be aware that our Instructors have busy lives too, and may not always be available. Weather will also be a factor - we do not normally fly in strong nor-westers! Your Instructor will record your progress in your logbook which you should bring to each lesson.
You will pay for time in the aircrarft, plus ground instruction (this is arranged directly with the instructor but is typically $50 per session or $60 for cross countries and BFRs). The current hourly charge for aircraft hire is displayed on the Prices page. The 'time to first solo' is not a race or a competition. Some students may solo in 10 hours, some in 15 hours, and others in 20 hours or more. The instructor will make a judgment call as to when the student has demonstrated they can safely fly the aircraft solo. This is a unique and thrilling experience that most pilots can readily recall all their lives.
Please note that the Annual Membership Fee is $120 per annum. A one-off Joining Fee of $30.00 is also applicable.
For those people joining throughout the year after April, the Annual Membership will be charged on a reducing Pro-Rata basis.
It is expected that your payment for the hire of the club aircraft be paid immediately after the flight and is Direct Credited to the Club Account:
Canterbury Recreational Aircraft Club 03 1594 0061058 000
Microlights are governed principally by two organisations, RAANZ & Flying NZ (formerly the RNZAC) also has some microlight operations.
Listed below are our currently active instructors and their affiliations to a Part 149 organisation as above
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Colin MacDonald - 3 Axis Tuition - Chief Flying Instructor |
| Scott James - 3 Axis Tuition 021 525 561 |
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Lionel Green - 3 Axis & Gyrocopter Tuition |
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Peter Chadwick - 3 Axis Tuition |
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Tony den Haan - 3 Axis Tuition |
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Ben Jackson - 3 Axis Tuition |
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Connor O'Loughlin - 3 Axis Tuition |
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Benjamin Dodd - 3 Axis Tuition |
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