About Wanaka Helicopters Limited
Wanaka Helicopters Limited is a family-owned flight training school and commercial helicopter operator based in Wānaka, New Zealand, established in 1992. It offers private pilot licence (PPL), commercial pilot licence (CPL), and tertiary-level training, including the New Zealand Diploma in Aviation.
The school is led by founder and Chief Flying Instructor Simon Spencer-Bower, who holds over 24,000 flight hours across more than 50 years of experience and has received the Queen's Service Medal for services to aviation.
Programmes and Qualifications
Wanaka Helicopters offers the following named programmes and qualifications:
- Private Pilot Licence PPL(H) — private pilot licence — minimum 50 hours flight training (no fixed duration stated)
- Commercial Pilot Licence CPL(H) — commercial pilot licence — minimum 150 hours flight training (no fixed duration stated)
- New Zealand Diploma in Aviation (NZDipGA) — nationally recognised qualification (NZQA) — two years full-time
- Advanced Mountain Flying Course — NZCAA approved course — 10 hours flying plus associated theory (adjustable to individual requirements)
Fees
Wanaka Helicopters publishes estimated training costs for three pathways. The figures below are estimates based on minimum required flight hours; additional costs may apply depending on individual progress and circumstances.
| Training Pathway | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Private Pilot Licence (PPL) | From approximately $48,000 |
| Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) (after completing PPL) | From approximately $87,500 |
| Diploma in Aviation (Helicopter) – Domestic Students (2027 estimate) | Approximately $132,200 |
| Diploma in Aviation (Helicopter) – International Students (2027 estimate) | Approximately $158,500 |
Additional costs not included in these estimates include the aviation medical certificate, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) exam fees, flight test fees, licence issue fees, training materials, and accommodation and living expenses. Wanaka Helicopters recommends allowing an additional 10–15% contingency for these items.
For the Diploma in Aviation (Helicopter), domestic students (New Zealand residents and Australian citizens) may be eligible for government subsidies and StudyLink student loans of up to $70,000.
Subject area: Aviation
The Ministry of Education groups Wanaka Helicopters Limited under Aviation — the broad field of education and training it's classified under in the official tertiary directory.
AviationAddress
Where Wanaka Helicopters Limited is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.
- Street4 Lloyd Dunn Avenue
- CityWanaka
- Postcode9343
- Territorial authorityQueenstown-Lakes District
- RegionOtago Region
No coordinates are published for tertiary providers in this dataset, so no map is shown here.
Contact Wanaka Helicopters Limited
Find the published contact details for Wanaka Helicopters Limited, including its phone number, website and other available contact information.
- Phone03-4431085
- Emailtraining@wanakahelicopters.co.nz
- Fax03-4431086
- Websitewww.wanakahelicopters.co.nz
Contact details combine official Ministry of Education records with information published on Wanaka Helicopters Limited's own website, reviewed by the KuraData team on 16 September 2026.
Other Aviation providers
Explore other New Zealand private training establishments listed under the same Aviation subject area as Wanaka Helicopters Limited, including providers in different locations.
-
Ardmore Flying School Ltd Ardmore
-
Nelson Aviation College Limited Motueka
-
Southern Wings Invercargill
International Students
Wanaka Helicopters Limited is a nationally accredited training provider with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and is a signatory of the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.
The primary pathway for international students is the international Diploma in Aviation. Training can begin with no prior flight experience and progresses through to Private Pilot Licence (PPL), Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), and Diploma level. International Diploma students should allow approximately 80 to 100 weeks to complete the programme.
The estimated cost of the international programme is approximately NZ$135,800 for 150 flight hours (current as at 2026/2027). This figure excludes medical certification, insurance, visa expenses, accommodation, travel, and living costs. Final costs depend on individual progress and current hourly training rates.
For approved full-time programmes, Wanaka Helicopters can provide successful applicants with enrolment documentation to support a student visa application. All mandatory paperwork must be signed in English before a visa application is submitted. Immigration New Zealand makes all visa decisions.
International students who are not New Zealand or Australian citizens are required to meet the following conditions before enrolment:
- Medical and travel insurance, including cover for flight operations
- An appropriate visa or permit to study in New Zealand
- An English translation of Justice Department and/or police reports for the Civil Aviation Authority Fit and Proper Person application
- Proof of ability to financially support themselves while in New Zealand (access to NZ$10,000 per year)
- An IELTS score of 6 for the Diploma in Aviation, if English is not their first language
Eligible graduates of the international programme may qualify for up to six months of post-study work rights, subject to immigration rules at the time of graduation and as determined by Immigration New Zealand.
Curated by the KuraData team from Wanaka Helicopters Limited'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 onWanaka Helicopters Limited's official website — reviewed by KuraData 16 September 2026