iain howard
My journey started in June 2010. I chose Mainland Aviation College because it offered training out of an international airport, low student/instructor ratio and a fleet size that meant one need not book well in advance for a plane.
The smallness of the school meant the instructors and students alike got to know each other well - both professionally and socially. This proved a major positive as all instructors soon became aware of each student's trouble areas with both study and practical - and they took steps to assist.
Something I enjoyed about training at MAC is the freedom that comes with a PPL. While hour-building, many of us were encouraged to take a plane away for a week to travel around the North Island. Not many schools around offer that opportunity. Another highlight was being part of a fleet on five C152s and a Tobago to land on Mason's Bay on Stewart Island.
In just over a year, I'd acquired a PPL, CPL and a Multi-engine Instrument Rating. I then started training for an instructor's rating. After successfully attaining the instructor's rating I began instructing, along with some peers in November 2011. In March 2013, I began training in the charter division on the Piper Chieftain and Senecas.
In June 2013, I started flying with Air Rarotonga. I'm a first officer on the Embraer Bandeirante and fly scenic flights on the C172 when needed. I also do the odd instructional flight on the Cessna.
Looking back- the training at Mainland prepared me well for this journey. Knowing what I know now, if I could start again, I would definitely choose to go there again. Phil, Shirley, Hamish and the crew take a very personal interest in seeing candidates succeed, so anyone willing to pursue flying to any degree can be assured to receive professional training.
The smallness of the school meant the instructors and students alike got to know each other well - both professionally and socially. This proved a major positive as all instructors soon became aware of each student's trouble areas with both study and practical - and they took steps to assist.
Something I enjoyed about training at MAC is the freedom that comes with a PPL. While hour-building, many of us were encouraged to take a plane away for a week to travel around the North Island. Not many schools around offer that opportunity. Another highlight was being part of a fleet on five C152s and a Tobago to land on Mason's Bay on Stewart Island.
In just over a year, I'd acquired a PPL, CPL and a Multi-engine Instrument Rating. I then started training for an instructor's rating. After successfully attaining the instructor's rating I began instructing, along with some peers in November 2011. In March 2013, I began training in the charter division on the Piper Chieftain and Senecas.
In June 2013, I started flying with Air Rarotonga. I'm a first officer on the Embraer Bandeirante and fly scenic flights on the C172 when needed. I also do the odd instructional flight on the Cessna.
Looking back- the training at Mainland prepared me well for this journey. Knowing what I know now, if I could start again, I would definitely choose to go there again. Phil, Shirley, Hamish and the crew take a very personal interest in seeing candidates succeed, so anyone willing to pursue flying to any degree can be assured to receive professional training.
