The School of Aviation was established in 1987 to meet airline needs for graduates with a wide industry perspective. We were the first New Zealand training organisation to meet the regulations for Civil Aviation Authority Rule Part 141 certification.
Study
Study
Undergraduate qualifications enable you to train to become a pilot or to study towards a career in aviation management. You can study in New Zealand or as a distance learning (aviation management) student at the Singapore Aviation Academy.
Senior aviation managers are required to demonstrate not only technical knowledge and expertise, but also postgraduate aviation qualifications and skills. Massey University’s postgraduate qualifications can give you those skills.
Research
The School of Aviation’s researchers conduct and supervise research in many different areas of the aviation sector.
Our staff and postgraduate students are leading the way in their areas of expertise, presenting their findings at domestic and international conferences and publishing articles in leading journals.
Become a pilot with a difference
Learn how to fly in Massey’s state-of-the-art training fleet, while gaining a university qualification that equips you for a professional career as an airline pilot, not just a ‘licence to fly’.
What is it like?
Find out more about entry requirements, fees and courses in the planning section.
Massey’s Bachelor of Aviation (Air Transport Pilot) is a university undergraduate qualification intended for career pilots. It will not just train you to be a competent pilot, but to become a ‘flight deck manager’ with a university education, and an in-depth understanding of the aviation industry.
Massey owns and operates a fleet of technically advanced Diamond single engine and twin engine aircraft equipped with full digital avionics approved for Performance Based Navigation operations.”
You’ll also get to learn in our state-of-the-art flight Diamond DA-42 flight simulator. With a 220-degree wraparound screen, it can be positioned at any airport in the world and the scenery outside will match the location. Massey University’s School of Aviation was the first pilot training facility in New Zealand to install this new-generation simulator.
Turn your passion into a career
Massey University is the only place in New Zealand where you can turn your passion for aviation into a university qualification. We are an internationally-recognised pilot training facility, but we also give you a broad knowledge of the global aviation industry. We will introduce you to the critical ‘soft’ skills required of a professional aviator such as:
- Decision-making
- Communication
- Workload management
- Conflict resolution
These will expand the range of careers open to you in the aviation industry.
Skills that employers seek
A career as a pilot is exciting and highly sought-after. Our aviation degree will give you a point of difference – an in-depth understanding of the industry, and an internationally-recognised qualification. We will teach you the skills that employers seek.
In addition to the scenario-based flight training methodology, a special feature of the flight training programme is multi-crew training. This is designed to prepare you for functioning as flight crew members in air carrier operations. The Airline Bridging Course module at the end of the flight training phase is unique to the Bachelor of Aviation programme.
Electronic flight bags
Electronic flight bags (EFBs) are now almost standard for every major international air carrier. Previously pilots needed to have comprehensive documentation for each flight, carried onto the aircraft in bulky paper manuals. This has now mostly moved to a digital format. As a new Bachelor of Aviation (ATP) student you will be issued with an Apple iPad to be used as your EFB for the duration of your flight training practicum period.
Industry mentor
Finally your cohort (group studying in the same year as you) will be assigned an experienced aviation industry mentor to help guide you through the course and to give you the benefit of their industry experience and knowledge.
Accreditations and industry recognition
This programme is ISO-9001-2015 certified and has the unique distinction of holding an Equivalence Approval from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority. This means our students’ university examination results are accepted in lieu of CAA examinations. Flight Examiners from the School are also approved for conducting flight tests for issue of licences.
Air NZ Preferred Flight Training Organisation (PFTO)
An Air NZ Preferred FTOs is a flight training organisation that Air New Zealand has chosen - as a result of a rigorous selection process – to provide airline-informed ab-initio flight training (training for those with no prior experience) under the Aviation Institute umbrella.
Internationally recognised qualification
Your qualification is internationally recognised, and accredited by the key New Zealand aviation authorities.
Massey University’s Bachelor of Aviation was the first non-engineering degree to be recognised by the Royal Aeronautical Society (1998) and Massey was the first New Zealand training organisation to meet all of the requirements for Civil Aviation Authority Rule Part 141 certification. When studying for the Bachelor of Aviation, professional pilot licensing requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand are integrated into your degree’s courses. Therefore upon graduation you’ll be issued with a commercial pilot’s licence and multi-engine instrument ratings. In addition you will have gained the theory credits towards your NZ ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence).
Massey University’s business and management studies also rank in the top 300 (by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings). We are ranked No.1 in New Zealand and in the top 150 universities worldwide for our business administration and finance programmes by Shanghai Ranking.
What is it like?
Find out more about entry requirements, fees and courses in the planning section.
Massey University’s Master of Aviation will give you the knowledge and skills you need to gain a more in-depth understanding of aviation and advance your career.
Enhance your career prospects
Aviation industry personnel like those in many other industries, face increasing ‘academic inflation’. Senior aviation managers are required to demonstrate not only technical knowledge and expertise, but also advanced aviation qualifications and skills.
This programme is partly taught and also includes a professional research project.
What will you learn?
A Master of Aviation will give you the skills to work to a high level of academic achievement, work to deadlines under pressure and communicate your work effectively. All of these are essential skills to work at a senior level in the aviation industry, or to progress to a higher level of study such as a PhD.
A masters is a rigorous and challenging academic programme, but you will be rewarded with an in-depth knowledge of aviation that will significantly enhance your career prospects in the internationally-competitive aviation sector.
180 credits
Massey University’s Master of Aviation is a 180 credit master qualification. The 180 credit masters offers a rigorous programme of learning yet can be achieved in three semesters (one and a half years).
Two pathways to choose
You can choose from two pathways: research or professional practice.
1. Research pathway
If you choose this pathway your study will include 60 credits of taught courses including a compulsory Research Methods course. Part Two will incorporate a minimum of 60 credits of research.
2. Professional practice pathway
Those wanting a more practice-based qualification which reflects their industry experience should enrol in the Professional Practice option.
This option includes two compulsory aviation management courses, elective aviation courses and culminates in a 60 credit ‘Professional Practice in Aviation’ course. Students who are already aviation professionals may wish to draw on their current aviation role for the purpose of a case study.
Turn your passion into a career
Massey University is the only place in New Zealand where you can turn your passion for aviation into a tertiary qualification. We are an internationally-recognised pilot training facility, but we also give you a broad knowledge of the global aviation industry. You will learn communication, management and administrative skills that will broaden out the range of careers open to you in the aviation industry.
Accessible lecturers
We work to help you succeed. Massey University offers smaller classes and more personalised learning than many other tertiary institutions, giving you greater access to lecturers and the help you need to succeed and thrive during your master’s study.
Research-led learning
Massey teaching is research-led and our academics are internationally ranked and among the best in the world. Our teaching staff are widely published and are in demand as keynote speakers on topical global issues. International visitors regularly seek out visits to our facilities to learn more about what we do.
Relevant learning
Your lecturers and supervisors at Massey have strong connections with the industry. We work to ensure that our teaching fits with the changing environment, which means you will emerge with a relevant qualification valued by potential employers.
International recognition
Massey University’s business and management studies rank in the top 300 (by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings). We are ranked No.1 in New Zealand and in the top 150 universities worldwide for our business administration and finance programmes by Shanghai Ranking.
Aviation Open Day
12 September 2020 (Saturday), 9am – 3.30pm
Massey’s Aviation Open Day offers a chance to view our facilities, take part in trial flights (must be pre-booked), view presentations on programmes and careers and talk to current aviation students. Hall of Residence tours also available. You must pre-register for this event.
Massey University Flight Operations Centre, 47 Airport Dr, Palmerston North.
Open days
Open Days at Massey University are your chance to explore your future options. They give you an insight into study areas, accommodation, student life and more.
They are usually held around August.