With the global demand for commercial fixed-wing pilots going unmet, we are pleased to have added value in way of supplying a growing New Zealand flight school with aircraft to train their students. The New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA) based in Whanganui, was opened in 2017 and has since doubled its student intake to 83 in its second year of operation with plans to increase this to 200 students a year.

Bought by Whanganui District Council Holding in 2015 and with $400,000 in Government funding allocated to growth, Whanganui Airport is planned to become an Advanced Aviation Hub that will include an Advanced Simulation Centre as well as training for flight attendants and aeronautical engineers.

After years of championing our CD-155 Engine Upgrade Program to New Zealand Flight Schools, our Hamilton General Manager, Larry Jooste was pleased to get the go-ahead from NZICPA Chief Executive, Phil Bedford, to supply three new aircraft for the school, one Diesel powered Diamond DA42 and two diesel-powered Cessna 172s. With a forecasted 10 more Diesel powered Cessna’s for 2019

Working alongside Larry, our Fixed-Wing Sales Associate Dale James said, “We have now delivered three aircraft to NZICPA, one Diamond DA42 and two Cessna 172s that we will continue to maintain. The DA42 came with an upgraded Garmin 1000 avionics systems and the two Cessna 172s went through a full refurbishment, including new interior and exterior paint, reupholstered seats as well as our CD-155 Diesel Engine Upgrade program. We are very pleased with the result and look forward to supporting the NZICPA in the coming years.”

NZICPA took possession of the three aircraft in October of this year and celebrated with a launch event on Monday the 29th of October to celebrate the unveiling of the new facility as well as the handover of the aircraft including their maiden flights.

“Our CD-155 Diesel (Jet A1) Engine Upgrade program sees both Cessna 172s and Piper PA28 aircraft with a new engine allowing to run on Jet A1 or Diesel, a cheaper and more widely available fuel option than AvGas. In addition to running on a cheaper fuel source, the engines are more efficient adding to the operator’s bottom line. We see this as a perfect option for Flight Schools and have now refurbished seven aircraft plus have converted another eight customer owned aircraft with the diesel engine,” says Larry.

For information on our fully refurbished aircraft contact Dale James on dale.james@oal.nz or 027 567 0359