Our graduates from our training options end up all over the world flying in different areas all gaining invaluable experience.

Charlotte remembers the day her aviation career began, undertaking a trial flight at Wanaka Helicopters. Charlotte undertook private training at Wanaka Helicopters to gain her commercial licence and was determined to have a job she loved. Wanaka Helicopters was an obvious place for her to train, being from Queenstown. However the opportunity to learn to fly in the mountains and with experienced instructors was a big factor. “My research told me Wanaka Helicopters is the best training provider in NZ. Not only that you are flying around one of the most beautiful places. When you are not training you are enjoying everything Central Otago has to offer skiing, hiking, boating and so much more!”

After completing her commercial licence in 2015. Charlotte worked at Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters/Southern Lakes Helicopters and is now loving her new role at Volcanic Air in Rotorua.

Charlotte describes her typical day: “I start my day preflighting my assigned helicopter and talk with the office staff to get any last minute details for the job. An example would be flying down to Huka Lodge in Taupo. I would fly them over geothermal areas on the way to White Island where we do a tour around NZ’s most active volcano. We might then stop on the beach close to Whakatane for a picnic. On the way back to Huka lodge we would land up on Mt Tarawera which last erupted in 1886 taking in the views overlooking the many lakes surrounding Rotorua and the rift that splits the mountain in two. After dropping my clients back I will then fly back to our hangar at Rotorua Airport, clean and tidy the machine all ready for the next flight”. The best aspects of her new role include flying most days, the coastal scenery, meeting lots of interesting people and the challenge.

Charlotte would eventually love to get involved with search and rescue or a medical helicopter pilot role. If you are thinking about becoming a helicopter pilot she encourages you to do a trial flight and talk to people in the industry. “Most pilots live and breathe their job so it’s not a decision to be made lightly – you need to really love aviation, it’s a journey not a sprint”.

Learn more about our training options here.