Wanganui Airport has a long history of aviation and training pilots, both fixed-wing and helicopter, that dates back to the 1960's. When long-time helicopter instructor, Ian Wakeling, retired in 2020, the directors of Mid West Helicopters took it upon themselves to keep the legacy alive and continue training helicopter pilots. From that passion, the New Zealand Helicopter Training Academy was born and over the years we have grown to operate three Schwiezer 269 (Hughes 300) helicopters while introducing dozens of helicopter pilots to the industry. 

Our helicopter of choice is the Schwiezer 269 (more commonly known as the Huighes 300). Our instructors have taught in all the common training helicopters, and firmly believe that the H300 produces highly diligent and skillful pilots. There is no governor controlling the engine rpm, so our pilots are more in-tune to the sound of the helicopter and its engine, while they manually control the rpm. It is a very strong and stable helicopter which gives added safety in windy and mountaineous environments. It has great autorotative characteristics, which gives our pilots the foundation to handle any emergency situation throughout their careers. Plus, with two passenger seats, you may actually end up flying a H300 commercially; Mid West Helicopters use the H300 extensively for pest control, mustering, agricultural spraying and joy-flights!

Today, NZHTA continues to grow and are now operating a base down south in Canterbury. Based near Springfield, 35 minutes west of Christchurch, our students have the Southern Alps at their doorstep! This is the ideal training environment; quiet airspace but very close to controlled airspace at Christchurch International Airport, Waimakariri River for low-flying training, the Southern Alps for mountain training and access to farms and stations for varied training.