Learn to fly - a beginner's guide to taking off in Wellington
The following information will give you a sense of the commitment it takes to get your Private Pilot's Licence. And after the PPL, well… the sky’s the limit! There's never been a better time to learn to fly!
How much does it cost?
Aircraft are charged out on an hourly rate and you only pay for the time when the engine is running.
For all dual flights there is a fee for the instructor as well as landing and airways charges for all flight.
Are there exams?
Yes. There are 6 exams - radio, weather, aircraft technical knowledge, navigation, human factors and law, plus an English language proficiency test. Then, it's just the small matter of passing your PPL flight test to get your licence!
These exams and flight tests are administered for CAA in NZ by Aspeq.
How often should I fly?
We recommend you fly at least every two weeks while you're learning to fly. Everyone is different, so we will help you tailor your training to your schedule and goals.
Kasey went solo in trusty WAC in 2023 and went on to achieve her PPL with us in 2025!
How long does it take to get a PPL?
If you flew every day, you'd have your licence in 3 months. This is an unlikely scenario - six ground exams, Wellington weather and life in general often slow things down, which isn't a bad thing!
Most people schedule their flying to match their lifestyle and work, and it usually takes 12 to 18 months if you work at it. That said, how fast you do it is totally up to you.
After a 30-year break from flying, Dominic achieved his PPL with us in 2024! You'll see him around the club pretty often!
What can I do with a PPL?
Once you've done your cross-country training, you can take your friends and family flying around the country! You're not allowed to charge passengers, but they can contribute to the cost of hiring the aircraft.
You're not able to fly 'for hire or reward' - you need a Commercial Pilot Licence for that.
Turning short final on Runway 34 at NZWN. Will you accept the challenge?
Can I fly if I wear glasses?
That's fine! As long as your vision is corrected and you pass the other medical requirements (see below!), you're able to learn to fly, go solo and hold a PPL.
Are there any medical restrictions?
In order to hold a PPL, you will need to pass a Class 2 aviation medical or acquire a DL9 medical certificate (usually for driving licence purposes) from your GP.
If you have any medical conditions that you think might impact your ability to fly, please contact us and we’ll talk your aspirations through with you.
Continue your training…
Perhaps you already know that you want to get your license, maybe you want to consider a career in the airlines or commercial aviation in general… whatever the case, we have you covered, Wellington Aero Club offers you training options that cover recreational aviation to courses that allow you to obtain your own training credentials.
Further your journey here…
Private Pilot License (PPL)
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
Want to know more?
Visit the Civil Aviation Authority website for more information on licensing and aspeq's website for information on ground exams.
