Student Pilot Conference

NZ Student Pilot Conference (NZSPC)

Each year  student pilots representing Flight Training Organisations from all over New Zealand attend our Student Pilot Conference in Nelson. The conference provides student pilots with the chance to network with there peers and industry professionals as well as providing an ideal forum for students to express their views on issues concerning student pilot training. For more information about our conference contact Hayden

NZSPC 08

From July 3 to 5 over 60 student pilots (representing 15 flight-training organisations from as far south as Invercargill right up to Auckland) flew to Nelson to take part in the 5th Annual New Zealand Student Pilot Conference. The Conference is organised by the Student Association of Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (SANITI) which represents over half of the entire student loan funded trainee pilots in the country. Each year, SANITI brings together student representatives from each of NMIT's Aviation providers as well as student pilots from other training providers in order for them to get face to face with and learn from key players within the Tertiary and Aviation sectors.

Following on from the success of last year's theme - 'The Future of New Zealand Aviation', SANITI's theme for this year's conference was 'Pathways to Employment'. The two-day event focused primarily on how students can best navigate their way into their first commercial flying job after their training is completed. In spite of the somewhat inclement weather (storms around the country!), most students made it into Nelson in time for day one – with 30 of them even flying themselves in!

The Thursday was dedicated to 'tertiary issues facing student pilots' with presentations from: Joy Saunders of the Tertiary Education Commission, Alan Gill from Aviation Services Ltd, Carlton Campbell from the Civil Aviation Authority, Glenn Kennedy from StudyLink, and representatives including NMIT Chief executive Tony Gray were also in attendance. The day ended with a the TEC holding focus groups and then a formal dinner which was kindly sponsored by NMIT and ATTTO.

On Friday the conference focus explored the future of employment and careers available for graduating students within New Zealand Aviation. SANITI was fortunate to have assembled an absolutely stellar list of industry professionals including: Matthew Davies of Aviation Travel Tourism Training Organisation, Irene King (Aviation Industry Association/Aviation Careers Ltd), Captain Dave Love (Mt Cook), Mark Woodhouse (Air New Zealand 777 pilot), Bob Guard (Air Nelson), Willie Sage (General Aviation), Owen Dodson (Marlborough Helicopters), Glen Kenny (NZALPA) and last but not least, former NMIT student, now skydiving pilot - Vince Gardner.

That night the students got to let their hair down and took part in the now famous after-conference bash held at Nelson's iconic Shark Club bar; a fancy dress affair where everyone was required to dress as 'something flightless'. It was awesome to see everyone get into the spirit of the occasion - even if creativity was in short supply on the night.

Big thanks must go to co sponsors NMIT and ATTTO for their generous support of the conference, as well as our other sponsors ASL, House of Travel, StudyLink, AIA, NZALPA, Ardmore Flying School and The Down Under Pilot Shop.

As a major SANITI event, thanks must particularly go to the staff and volunteers who toiled away for months in advance to make NZSPC 08 a reality and who hardly slept during the event ensuring that everyone was cared for, and the conference a success.

 

NZSPC 07

2007 Conference Notes
NZSPC 07 Photos

Following on from the success of last years one day ‘Pathways to Employment’ conference, SANITI expanded this year’s conference into a two day event focusing primarily on the future of New Zealand aviation. 
 Thursday was dedicated to tertiary issues facing student pilots. This included presentations from John Laxon (TEC), Alan Gill (Aviation Services limited), Marie Lockwood (StudyLink) and NZUSA Co-President Joey Randall.

Friday was spent exploring the future of employment and careers within New Zealand Aviation. SANITI was very fortunate to have an absolute stellar list of industry professionals: Stuart Horner (Aviation, Tourism & Travel Training Organisation), Irene King (Aviation Industry Association/Aviation Careers Ltd), John Lenaghan (Mt Cook), Massey Lynch (Eagle Air), Kevin Riley (Air Nelson), Willie Sage (Vincent Aviation), Jeanette Lusty (Nelson Helicopters) and last but not least Nick Anderson a former NMIT student pilot who is now flying a private jet.

On the Friday night the students got to let their hair down and took part in the now famous after conference bash. It was a fancy dress affair with the students having to attend the party as ‘something beginning with A’. It was awesome to see that everyone got into the spirit of the occasion even if there a few too many ‘Arabs’ in the group.

 

Big thanks must go out NMIT and Aviation Careers Ltd for their sponsorship towards the conference, as well as ATTTO, The House of Travel and StudyLink for sponsoring the Conference T-Shirts. SANITI greatly appreciated the contributions of all the staff and volunteers who toiled away behind the scenes to NZSPC 07 the great success that it was.

 

 

 

 

SANITI played a major role in helping to secure continued student loan funding for pilots for 2005 and onwards by representing NMIT flying students on an industry taskforce.