Flight Training Manawatu

A flying school that can can also provide operational experience to our pilots.

Feilding Aviation has provided flying training for 10 years initially using two Cessna 150's. In May 2003 the trading name was changed to Flight Training Manawatu to be more in keeping with the type of operation it is involved in today. Michael Bryant has been Chief of flying operations for seven years. Today the company uses 7 Cessna 152's and 3 Cessna 172's for training, type ratings and cross-country flying.

For pilots wanting to make aviation a career or those wishing to extend their experience, night rating, C Cat Instructor rating and multi-engine training in the Partenavia P 68 B(140 knot cabin class aircraft) are available. Students flying the Partenavia or the Cessna 172 for instrument training fly to: Wanganui for NDB work, to Ohakea for ILS, and to Palmerston North for VOR training. All are within a few minutes flying time of Feilding Aerodrome. The training operation is ideally situated because of its close proximity to all the navigation aids as well as the airspace around the airfield being conducive to efficient abinitio light training.

Flight Training Manawatu is now part of the Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology (MNIT), providing a Diploma in Aviation Science and the option to continue on to a Bachelor of Aviation Degree though Griffith University Australia. This is a full time two and half year course. At FTM classes are intentionally kept small, allowing for individual student attention.

Flight Training Manawatu operates seven days per week and for pilots who have completed PPLs there is plenty of scope to continue to broaden and develop their flying skills at FTM. The company is closely integrated with Air Charter Manawatu (ACM) which holds the Air Transport Licence. (Part 135) For pilots making aviation a career valuable single engine operational experience is available with the companies extensive aerial photography operation, gas-pipeline inspections and forestry surveys. As operational experience is gained the pilots then have an opportunity to move onto the light twins for charter and air ambulance experience.

FLYING RATES

Cessna 172                            $220/hr (chock to chock)

Partenavia P68B                      $540/hr (airswitch)

I/F                                         $15

Dual Instructor Charge              $50/hr

Dual I/F Instructor Charge         $60/hr

BFR                                        $80

BFR (in FTM aircraft)                 $75

Package Deals

Flight of Discovery C152             $39

Flight of Discovery C172             $65

Aerobatic Flight of Discovery       $69

3 Flight Package                        $199

3 Flight Package and Manual        $359

12 Hour Starter Pack                 $2638

AVGAS                                    $2.20 per Litre

All prices include GST.

Air Charter Manawatu

Air Charter Manawatu Ltd was formed in 1998 and was one of the first companies to be granted a Part 135 certificate. ACM caters for a diverse range of charter operations. It operates a Cessna 421 Golden Eagle, Piper Navajo, Partenavia P 68 B, and two Cessna 172's. The pressurised Golden Eagle provides a high class comfortable service with smooth flights at altitude and is particularly suitable for the corporate charter and air ambulance role. The Piper Navajo and Partenavia share the charter requirements whereas the C172's are mainly engaged in commercial transport operations. ACM has a contract for air ambulance work with MidCentral Health. This is in conjunction with the Square Trust Rescue Helicopter.

Responsibilities for the operation are shared between Operations Manager Bruce Brownlie who is Chief Pilot of Air Transport Operations which involves fee-paying passengers and operates from Feilding and Palmerston North, and CEO Michael Bryant who is Chief Pilot of Commercial Transport Operations which includes aerial photography, gas-pipeline inspections, and forestry work.

Here are some examples of the type of work we are involved in:

• Inter hospital patient transfer
• Transport of patients for urgent surgery including transplants
• Business executives travelling to meetings or conferences
• To destinations not serviced by scheduled operators
• Specialised freight

Have a browse of the website for more information or please feel free to call in, or telephone, and talk to one of our staff. See the Contact Us page for our email address and how to find us! - We're here to help you.