About Southern Wings
Southern Wings is a flight training college based at Invercargill Airport, with a second base at Ardmore Airport in Auckland. The college has offered pilot training since 1935.
Southern Wings holds accreditation from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), gained in 1996, and is certified under CAA Part 141 (training provider) and CAA Part 135 (Air Transport Operations). In 2012 it became a signatory to the Code of Practice for International Students.
In 2011, Air New Zealand appointed Southern Wings as a Preferred Flight Training Organisation (PFTO) — one of four organisations in New Zealand to hold that designation at the time.
Training programmes cover private and commercial pilot licensing, instrument ratings, multi-engine conversion, instructor ratings, and airline preparation. The college operates fixed-wing aircraft and flight simulators at both bases.
Flight Training Programmes
Southern Wings offers the following named flight training programmes and qualifications:
- Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
- Instrument Rating (IFR)
- Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) — theory course
- New Zealand Diploma in Aviation
- Airline Integration Course
Bases
Southern Wings operates two bases, one in Invercargill and one in Auckland.
- Invercargill Base — located at 76 Airport Avenue, Invercargill Airport, this is the school's original base, operating since 1935. Facilities include one dedicated classroom, a large meeting room, two briefing rooms, a flight planning room, and a bar lounge area.
- Auckland Base — opened in August 2014 at Ardmore Airport. Facilities include two classrooms, a flight planning room, and a simulator room. Students at this base also complete part of their training at the Invercargill base.
Subject area: Aviation
The Ministry of Education groups Southern Wings under Aviation — the broad field of education and training it's classified under in the official tertiary directory.
AviationAddress
Where Southern Wings is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.
- Street76 Airport Avenue
- CityInvercargill
- Postcode9840
- Territorial authorityInvercargill City
- RegionSouthland Region
No coordinates are published for tertiary providers in this dataset, so no map is shown here.
Contact Southern Wings
Find the published contact details for Southern Wings, including its phone number, website and other available contact information.
- Phone0800 284 283
- Fax03-2186136
- Websitewww.southernwings.co.nz
Contact details combine official Ministry of Education records with information published on Southern Wings's own website, reviewed by the KuraData team on 15 September 2026.
Other Aviation providers
Explore other New Zealand private training establishments listed under the same Aviation subject area as Southern Wings, including providers in different locations.
-
Ardmore Flying School Ltd Ardmore
Applying to Southern Wings
Applications are submitted by completing a Southern Wings application form, with separate forms available for domestic and international students. The following documents must be included with an application:
- CV, including references
- Statement of aviation history (if any) and goals (minimum 200 words)
- Copy of Criminal History Report, including Land Transport
- Copy of Adapt Pre-screen test
- Copy of CAA medical (if held)
- Copy of Record of Learning
- Copy of birth certificate or passport (international students only)
Following submission, Southern Wings contacts applicants to arrange an interview. Interviews are conducted on-site at Southern Wings where possible; otherwise an online interview can be arranged. An eligibility check for professional pilot training is available on the Southern Wings website. No application deadlines are stated.
International Students
Southern Wings is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, which sets minimum standards of pastoral care and information provision for international learners at New Zealand education providers.
Visa requirements
Student visa applications take at least four weeks to process and are sent to Palmerston North. Required documents include an Offer of Place letter from Southern Wings, a copy of the tuition fee receipt, a passport valid for at least three months beyond the course finish date, a passport photograph, evidence of funds to cover living costs, and a return plane ticket or funds for one. The visa application fee is NZ$200 plus a NZ$10 courier fee, though these amounts may change.
Because the aviation course exceeds six months, applicants must provide a temporary chest X-ray certificate to New Zealand Immigration Services. Students intending to stay for more than two years must also submit a full medical certificate and a police certificate. Once in New Zealand, Southern Wings can assist with visa extensions and other visa issues.
International students on a student visa studying a mainstream programme may be eligible for a work permit allowing paid employment during the summer period from December to February, and for limited hours at other times.
Medical and travel insurance
Medical and travel insurance is compulsory for all international students. Southern Wings verifies each student's insurance prior to enrolment, checking that the insurer holds a credit rating of no lower than A from Standard & Poor's or B+ from AM Best, provides 24/7 emergency cover, and that the policy covers the full planned period of study. The policy must be provided in English. Required coverage includes flight training, travel costs, medical care, emergency evacuation and repatriation, personal effects, personal liability, death-related costs, and accompanying relative cover.
Health services
Most international learners are not entitled to publicly funded health services in New Zealand and may be liable for the full costs of any medical treatment received. The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for temporary visitors, but other medical costs remain the student's responsibility.
Curated by the KuraData team from Southern Wings's own website, reviewed 15 September 2026.
Data source
- SourceTertiary Providers Directory — Ministry of Education
- Ministry data last checked6 September 2026
- AI-assisted content based onSouthern Wings's official website — reviewed by KuraData 15 September 2026