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Ardmore Flying School Ltd

Private Training Establishments · Aviation · Ardmore

A private flight training school based at Ardmore Aerodrome, south of Auckland, it has been training pilots since 1961. More than 130 students from New Zealand and internationally train there each year, with the school holding NZQA approval and New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority Part 141 certification to deliver the New Zealand Diploma in Aviation.

Jump to: About · Courses · Admissions · International students · Accommodation · Facilities

At a glance

TypePrivate Training Establishments
LocationArdmore
RegionAuckland Region
Provider informationKuraData curated
Ministry ID8638

About Ardmore Flying School Ltd

Ardmore Flying School Ltd is a flight training institution based at Ardmore Airport, south of Auckland. The school has been training pilots since 1961, when the Auckland Aero Club relocated to Ardmore from Māngere ahead of the development of Auckland International Airport.

The school holds New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) approval and a New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZ CAA) Part 141 approval for flight training, which authorises it to deliver the New Zealand Diploma in Aviation (DipAv) and pilot licensing at all levels. It offers both a Level 5 Diploma and a Level 6 Airline Preparation Diploma, as well as part-time and self-funded flexible training options including licence renewals and overseas licence conversions.

The school operates 16 aircraft (Cessna 172 and DA42 types) and three simulators (A320, 172, and DA42). More than 130 students from New Zealand and overseas train at the school each year, with most spending approximately 18 months in the area. The Level 5 Diploma takes approximately 64 weeks to complete; the Level 6 Diploma takes approximately 78 weeks.

Programmes and Qualifications

Ardmore Flying School offers the following named programmes and qualifications:

  • Private Pilot Licence (PPL) — licence — flexible (full-time or part-time)
  • Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) — licence — flexible (full-time or part-time)
  • Instrument Rating (IR) — rating — approximately five months full-time, or part-time
  • Biennial Flight Review (BFR) — review — one or more flights
  • Conversion of an Overseas Licence — licence conversion
  • NZ Diploma in Aviation (General Aviation) — Level 5 diploma — approximately 74 weeks total
  • Aviation Security Awareness — e-learning course — minimum 2 hours
  • Dangerous Goods Training — e-learning course — minimum 3 hours
  • Dangerous Goods Awareness Fiji — e-learning course (CAAF approved) — minimum 3 hours
  • Crew Resource Management (CRM) — e-learning course — approximately 3 hours
  • Command CRM — e-learning course — approximately 40 minutes (supplementary to CRM course)
  • Human Factors Ground Crew — e-learning course

Enrolment

Ardmore Flying School's application process involves nine steps, from an initial eligibility check through to a formal orientation session.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application and meet an English language proficiency requirement. The minimum academic qualification is NCEA Level 2, including English, Maths, and Science. Physics is noted as desirable but not required. Any additional tertiary results may also be submitted.

Required documents

Applications must include the following:

  • Recent NCEA results and any additional tertiary education results
  • Résumé and cover letter
  • Copy of passport
  • An ADAPT test result (must be less than two years old)
  • Logbook of previous flying, if applicable — prior experience is only recognised if completed in an ICAO-approved course, subject to review by the Chief Flight Instructor or CAA New Zealand

Applications are submitted by email to enrolments@ardmore.co.nz or by post to Enrolments, Ardmore Flying School, PO Box 72-744, Papakura, Auckland 2244.

Selection and placement

Shortlisted applicants are invited to a New Student Selection Day, which includes a maths and logical reasoning test, a Good Aviation Practice (GAP) assessment, and an interview with a senior flight instructor. Successful candidates must then provide a Class 1 medical certificate to be placed on a programme waiting list. A formal offer of placement and training agreement is issued when a place becomes available.

Fees and enrolment deadline

On accepting an offer, applicants sign the training agreement and pay the first instalment of fees as specified in that contract. Applicants using a student loan via Studylink must apply online at least two weeks before the programme starts. All enrolment steps must be completed at least two weeks before course commencement.

Orientation

A formal orientation is held on the Friday before classes begin. Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Subject area: Aviation

The Ministry of Education groups Ardmore Flying School Ltd under Aviation — the broad field of education and training it's classified under in the official tertiary directory.

Aviation

Address

Where Ardmore Flying School Ltd is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.

  • StreetArdmore Airfield
  • CityArdmore
  • Postcode2244
  • Territorial authorityAuckland - Franklin
  • RegionAuckland Region

No coordinates are published for tertiary providers in this dataset, so no map is shown here.

Contact Ardmore Flying School Ltd

Find the published contact details for Ardmore Flying School Ltd, including its phone number, website and other available contact information.

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Contact details combine official Ministry of Education records with information published on Ardmore Flying School Ltd's own website, reviewed by the KuraData team on 14 September 2026.

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International Student Information

Ardmore Flying School Ltd, established in 1961, is accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as an approved Private Training Establishment (PTE) and by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ). It offers the New Zealand Diploma in Aviation, delivered through the Professional Airline Pilots Programme.

Enrolment criteria for international students

In addition to the standard domestic criteria, international applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Be 18 years of age or over
  • Hold evidence, gained within the last two years, of an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher with no subpart below 5.0, or an equivalent score from another internationally recognised English proficiency test
  • Meet further English language proficiency requirements under rule 18.3 of the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules

Fees

Course fees cover flying fees, landing and airport fees, programme equipment, theory courses, flight and theory tests and examinations, administration fees, and optionally accommodation. International students are also required to pay an international fee and the cost of medical and travel insurance. No specific fee figures are published on the school's website; prospective students are directed to contact the enrolment team at +64 9 298-5055 or info@ardmore.co.nz.

Visa

International students studying full time in New Zealand require a student visa. A Fee Paying Student Visa permits full-time study and part-time work of up to 20 hours per week. Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of at least $20,000 per year in living funds, plus a return airfare or an additional $2,000.

Living costs

The school estimates that international students will need between $20,000 and $25,000 per year ($380–$480 per week) to cover accommodation, food, transport, phone, internet, and entertainment in Auckland.

Support services

Each student is assigned a personal instructor who acts as a first point of contact for both training and pastoral matters. The school also refers students to the Peer Assistance Network (PAN), a confidential peer support service accessible by calling 0800 NZALPA. Accommodation can be arranged prior to arrival and is located approximately five minutes from the training centre.

Student Accommodation

Ardmore Flying School provides student accommodation in four-bedroom townhouses. Each house includes shared communal living spaces, private bedrooms, a washing machine, furniture, cutlery, and linen. Electrical power, water, and internet are included. A complimentary van service runs between the houses and the main aerodrome building, and also covers exam and medical appointments.

Two room types are available:

Room type Weekly rent Utilities levy
Single room $305 $25.00
Master room or sleepout (with ensuite) $355 $25.00

Both domestic and international students may be housed together. The school operates under the Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners code, which sets requirements for accommodation safety and inclusive communities.

Facilities

Ardmore Flying School is located on the airfield at Ardmore Airport. Its training facility and student areas include the following named facilities and equipment:

  • Frasca single engine simulator — fitted with a Garmin 1000 glass cockpit avionics suite, matching the configuration of the school's Cessna 172 and DA-42 aircraft
  • DA-42 simulator — an exact replica of the DA-42 aircraft, used for Multi-Engine Instrument Rating training, covering basic and advanced instrument, navigation, and procedural training including emergency scenarios
  • Pacific A320 fixed-base simulator — used for multi-pilot crew training with CPL students
  • Air-conditioned theory classrooms
  • Student Hub
  • Designated student computers and printer
  • Tuck shop and student lounge
  • Table tennis
  • Coffee machine
  • Carpark
  • Ground transport fleet — two 14-seater LDVs, providing twice-daily trips between nearby student accommodation and the training facility, and transport to off-campus examinations

Curated by the KuraData team from Ardmore Flying School Ltd's own website, reviewed 14 September 2026.

Data source