Airways International’s air traffic services training programme is for those people wanting to become air traffic controllers or flight service officers. For this training programme, we go through a robust selection process looking for people with the ability to visualise and react to situations in the right kind of way. Are you:
If you believe you can answer yes to all of the above, then you may have the skills and attributes we’re looking for to successfully train in air traffic services and become either an air traffic controller or flight service officer.
Applications for our air traffic services training programme starting in October 2024 are now open – click “Apply now” below to complete our application form. Â
Applications close on 31 July 2024.
You need to meet the following eligibility criteria in order to train to be an air traffic controller or flight service officer in New Zealand:
Training to become an air traffic controller or flight service officer is both demanding and rewarding. Making the cut for the training programme is not easy! We use our carefully designed selection process to offer training to those people with the exact skills and attributes we need.
The intent of this robust process is to maximise students’ chance of success and achievement of their full potential.
With only 2-3% of the global population possessing the competencies to become an air traffic controller, selecting the right people from the start saves you, the student, time and money by improving your chances for training success.
The selection process may take 6 to 12 months, with two training intakes annually – usually in April and October.
Complete your online application, including some information about yourself, and evidence of your qualifications. We’ll then review, and select candidates to take through to testing.
We’ll assess your aptitude via a range of online tests and assessments – covering detail accuracy, spatial awareness, memory, multi-tasking exercises, and a personality assessment.
If selected, you’ll attend a one-day assessment in Christchurch (we will support your travel expenses). You’ll take further aptitude tests, be assessed in group and individual activities, and undertake an interview.Â
Following successful reference checks, you will be offered a place on an upcoming training programme, subject to a criminal check, drug testing and meeting the Civil Aviation Authority’s medical requirements.
Once you are selected to join a training programme, flight service students will be enrolled in the New Zealand Certificate in Air Traffic Services (Level 5), and air traffic control students will be enrolled in both the Certificate in Air Traffic Services (Level 5) and the New Zealand Diploma in Air Traffic Services (Level 6).
Training begins online via self-directed learning for a period of four weeks. You will then join us at the Airways Training Centre in Christchurch for further theory and practical training – for eight to nine months (air traffic control) or six weeks (flight service).
Both air traffic control and flight service training are intensive. For the period of training, you need to be able to dedicate time outside of the classroom for further study.
If you are selected to join the ATS training programme, the 2024 fees are:
Financial support is available to eligible students via a student loan from StudyLink, and the Fees-Free tertiary education scheme. You may also be eligible for a student allowance and other benefits.
Once you complete your training within our training academy, you will relocate to one of Airways’ towers or surveillance centres for on-job training as an employee four to nine months. The time spent in on-job training is dependent on the location and your learning capacity.
Locations for on-job training vary for each student, however, these locations are typically regional aerodrome towers, such as Rotorua, Palmerston North, Napier, Invercargill and New Plymouth. For flight service, training is either in the tower at Paraparaumu, Milford Sound, or in our surveillance centre in Christchurch or Auckland.
Students are advised of the on-job training locations during the last few weeks of their initial training course. Whilst we take your preferences into consideration, you must be flexible and have the ability to relocate within New Zealand.
Once you successfully complete the selection process, you’ll be offered the chance to join one of our training courses – usually starting in April and October each year. Each course intake is 6 to 12 students.
The first four weeks of training is online, self-directed learning, followed by six weeks of theoretical training in Christchurch. Flight service students then begin on-job training. Air traffic control students continue in the training academy for 22 weeks, working in our simulators.
When you’ve completed theory and simulator training, you will be offered employment at Airways New Zealand, and you’ll undertake on-job training for four to nine months. For air traffic control students, this will most likely be in one of our regional towers. During on-job training you will be working with real aircraft, supervised by an experienced air traffic controller or flight service officer.
When you’ve completed on-job training and shown that you can deal consistently with all traffic situations, you’ll undertake a final proficiency assessment. On successful completion you’ll be issued your air traffic controller or flight service officer licence and rating from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
