Air New Zealand has launched its Aviation Institute, a consolidated “one-stop-shop” training organisation which will undertake the majority of the airline’s training requirements, plus provide services for third party customers.
Comprising five ‘schools’ at two main ‘campusues’ in Auckland and Christchurch, and employing 150 staff providing 35,000 individual courses annually, the Aviation Institute will conduct training for pilots, engineers, flight attendants and airport check-in staff. Those courses include a new ‘First Officer Program’ where five partner flying training organisations will provide initial flight training “complemented by commercial airline entry assessments, training standards and advanced training modules through to first turboprop or jet type rating”, according to the airline.
Other recent additions to the airline’s training offerings include Boeing 777-300ER and ATR 72 full flight simulators training; EASA certified maintenance type training; a pilot ‘airline integration course’ to bridge the gap between ab initio training and turboprop or jet type ratings; customer service pre-employment training; and leadership programs. From 2012 the Aviation Institute will also offer a Diploma in Aeronautical Maintenance Certification.
Air New Zealand says the Training Institute was “three years in development”, and that it has “added considerable curriculum and training infrastructure to bolster its training capabilities”.
