Brian Gordon

I started with Mainland in Nov 2000, completing my PPL, CPL and C Cat. I began instructing there in Dec 2001 and worked up through to B Cat Instructor, Single VFR Charter, Multi VFR Charter then Multi IFR Charter and Ambulance as well as Multi IFR Instructing. I moved from Dunedin to Hastings to do full time Air Ambulance work in a Navajo and Cessna 421 in Jan 2005.

I left Hastings in October 2007 to take up a position with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia - Western Operations, initially based in a small outback town called Meekatharra but now based in the larger outback gold mining town of Kalgoorlie, where I fly Pilatus PC 12 and Beechcraft B200 Super King Air aircraft throughout Western Australia on emergency air ambulance and inter hospital transfers.

Bart Mcconnell

I completed my training with Mainland Aviation College in 2000. I started working as an Instructor and moved through the ranks to the role of Chief Flying Instructor by 2002. Towards the end of 2003 I started working for, as a Co Pilot on a Jetstream 31/32 aircraft for Origin Pacific based out of Nelson. In 2005 I began with Mt Cook Airlines, a division of Air New Zealand, flying ATR 72's based out of Christchurch.

In 2007 I was accepted into Air New Zealand flying the big Boeing 767. I currently fly out of Auckland to Los Angles via Rarotonga then return. I normally spend one or two nights in each destination. I get 7 days in a row off and can live anywhere I like in New Zealand.

In my time at Mainland Aviation College I found the courses to be well structured and the staff and management approachable and flexible. The college is big enough to have excellent facilities and resources but small enough to have good staff to student ratios which ensures good quality training. I have no hesitation in recommending Mainland Aviation College to all aspiring pilots.

Alex Wilkinson

I started my training with Mainland Collage in 2007 and finished up in early 2008. I obtained my private, commercial, multi engine along with doing ratings in various other aircraft.
Training at Mainland Air was a great choice for me. I found the college to have a very professional manner whilst still retaining a friendly and personal atmosphere.

The instructors are very approachable and tailored a programme to suit the personal needs of each student. The variety of flying terrain is second to none which makes a great base for anyone starting out as a pilot.

I am now in Africa flying Cessna 206's and soon to progress onto the Cessna 208 turbine caravans

Bruce Dickens

After completing my CPL and Instructor training, I was employed by Mainland as a flight instructor. Within 8 months I began flying twin engine aircraft on charter and air ambulance flights.

When I left in 2006, I settled in Melbourne where I flew Chieftains' from the Mainland to Hobart in Tasmania. I then worked for Vincent Aviation as an Airways calibration pilot. Flying around the country testing the navigation aids installed at different airports.
I am now a First Officer on a Private Jet based in Auckland, flying to many different countries.

Dan Stevens

My flying began at the Otago Aero Club part time working towards my private pilots license. Once I left school I continued my training full time at Mainland Air to gain my Commercial pilots license, multi engine instrument rating and instructor rating.

Mainland offered me a part time position to complete my supervision as an instructor, after this I moved to Palmerton North were I continued to instruct and worked my way up the ranks to fly the twin engine air ambulance aircraft.

I'm currently working for Eagle Air based out of Blenheim, flying the beech 1900. Eagle Air currently has 21 destinations on the Air New Zealand Domestic Network. The job has lots of variety and every day is certainly different. I get lots of time off and enjoy working in a multi crew aircraft.

I enjoyed my time studying at Mainland Air and found the staff friendly and enthusiastic. Operating out of a large airport, having a good range of aircraft and with Mainland Air also being a charter organisation means you get to see the day-to-day operations as well as being able to train in aircraft that are used for charter flights.

Matt Hyndman

I am an ex-Mainland Aviation College student currently living and flying in Africa.
I finished my training in 2002 and was immediately employed as an instructor by Mainland. I stayed as an employee for four years, eventually flying as a charter pilot on the Seneca and the Chieftain and doing multi-engine instruction.

I obtained my ATPL and a Beech 1900 type rating before moving to Africa as a charter pilot. In the last two and a half years, I have lived in Angola, Pakistan, Chad, Algeria, Mali and Senegal and have flown within these countries and also to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Congo, Sao Tome, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire and in Afghanistan. I have flown a variety of different charters, including millions of dollars worth of gold, diamonds, oil workers, Red Cross patients, UN and other aid workers..

I enjoyed being trained by and working at Mainland and believe that the College gave me a good foundation for learning, preparing me for where I am today. I think Mainland Aviation College is a great place to start your aviation career.