About Otago Aviation Academy Ltd
Otago Aviation Academy (OAA) is a Private Training Establishment (PTE) registered on 24 February 2022 and based at Wanaka Airport. It is owned by Southern Horizon Ltd, the same parent company that owns U-Fly Wanaka, a general aviation operator founded in 2010. OAA leases its aircraft, hangar, and premises from U-Fly Wanaka, and the two organisations share operational infrastructure.
OAA focuses on training international students and offers two NZQA-approved qualifications: the New Zealand Diploma in Aviation (General Aviation) (Level 5), a 240-credit programme, and the New Zealand Diploma in Aviation (Flight Instruction) (Level 6), a 295-credit programme. Training uses a fleet of three aircraft types — the Cessna C172R, the Piper Cherokee PA28-180, and the Tecnam P2006T twin-engine aircraft.
The chief executive of both OAA and U-Fly Wanaka is Junjie Li (Fox Lee). Graduates are offered interviews for internships delivering training to new students, with the possibility of subsequent employment with U-Fly Wanaka in commercial operations.
Programmes and Qualifications
Otago Aviation Academy offers the following named flight training programmes and ratings:
- PPL – Private Pilot Training
- CPL – Commercial Pilot Training
- Instructor Rating — CAANZ Category C Instructor Rating
- Terrain and Weather Awareness (TWA) for PPL Issue
- Basic Mountain Flying for CPL Issue
- Single-Engine Instrument Flight Rating (IR)
- Multi-engine Instrument Rating (MEIR)
- Biennial Flight Review
Programmes and Qualifications
Otago Aviation Academy offers the following named programmes and qualifications:
- New Zealand Diploma in Aviation with strands in Aeroplane — Level 5
- New Zealand Diploma in Aviation with strands in Aeroplane Flight Instruction — Level 6
- Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
- Single-Engine Instrument Rating (SEIR)
- Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR)
- C Category Flight Instructor Rating
- DGCA Program
Address
Where Otago Aviation Academy Ltd is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.
- StreetWanaka Airport
- CityWanaka
- Territorial authorityQueenstown-Lakes District
- RegionOtago Region
No coordinates are published for tertiary providers in this dataset, so no map is shown here.
Contact Otago Aviation Academy Ltd
Find the published contact details for Otago Aviation Academy Ltd, including its phone number, website and other available contact information.
- Phone+6434434005
- Emailinfo@otagoaviation.ac.nz
- Websiteotagoaviation.ac.nz/
Contact details combine official Ministry of Education records with information published on Otago Aviation Academy Ltd's own website, reviewed by the KuraData team on 16 September 2026.
Other providers in Wanaka
Explore other tertiary providers based in Wanaka, near Otago Aviation Academy Ltd.
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Wanaka Helicopters Limited Wanaka
International Students
Otago Aviation Academy (OAA), based at Wanaka Airport, offers two full-time programmes approved for international students:
- New Zealand Diploma in Aviation (General Aviation) (Level 5) — 240 credits, preparing students for commercial pilot licensing and general aviation careers
- New Zealand Diploma in Aviation (Flight Instruction) (Level 6) — 295 credits, focused on qualifying students as flight instructors (Category C)
Entry requirements for international students include a minimum age of 18 years on the first day of the course, an IELTS score of 5.5 (or equivalent) across all bands, a CAA NZ Class 1 Medical Certificate, and comprehensive travel and medical insurance covering aviation training and emergency repatriation for the full duration of study.
International students must hold a valid New Zealand Student Visa. OAA requires a valid offer of place, evidence of tuition payment, proof of living expenses, and approved insurance cover as part of the visa application. If a visa application is declined, all tuition fees paid are refunded in full.
Immigration New Zealand requires international students to demonstrate access to at least NZ$20,000 for the first year, or NZ$1,667 per month for courses shorter than 12 months, as proof of living expenses.
OAA provides airport pickup from Queenstown Airport and an orientation covering course expectations, health and safety, key staff, and settling into life in New Zealand. Support services include academic progress reviews, cultural and wellbeing support, visa and immigration assistance, and local guidance on accommodation, banking, and transport. OAA complies with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
Accommodation is not provided on-site, but OAA assists with arranging options including homestays, self-contained units or cabins in local holiday parks, and private rentals.
Facilities
Otago Aviation Academy is based in Wanaka. Its on-site facilities include the following:
- Reception and Administrative Building — provides information on training programmes and adventure flights
- Hangars — house the academy's aircraft fleet and are used for aircraft maintenance
- Classroom Facilities — used for ground school sessions, briefings, and debriefings
- Pilot Briefing Rooms — dedicated spaces for pre-flight planning, equipped with resources for weather, flight routes, and aircraft information
- Outdoor Relaxation Area — features picnic tables and a shaded canopy overlooking the airfield
- In-House Maintenance — an on-site maintenance team services the fleet
Curated by the KuraData team from Otago Aviation Academy Ltd's own website, reviewed 16 September 2026.
Data source
- SourceTertiary Providers Directory — Ministry of Education
- Ministry data last checked6 September 2026
- AI-assisted content based onOtago Aviation Academy Ltd's official website — reviewed by KuraData 16 September 2026