Sport and Recreation
Gliding and General Aviating for NZQA Credits
Contributed by Jill McCaw
THERE IS great news for aviation minded young people. Thanks
to the efforts of Vern Grant, CFI of Gliding Wairarapa and Senior
enterprises. The whole concept of including this type of assessment
Science teacher at Kuranui College in the Wairarapa, the Aviation,
for a sporting body in the nation’s assessment framework is rather
Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTTO) and the New
unique and is replicated, I think, only in Germany.
Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) it is now possible for
“Kuranui College in Greytown is now assessing against the
young people to turn their aeronautical experiences into credits for
six gliding standards. The college has been running the National
their National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)
Certificate in Aviation Level 2 course for several years now and
qualifications.
already some of the students have
The units are designed for
achieved 6 credits at level 4 on
school age students who may be
the framework for flying a glider
interested in aviation as a career.
to A certificate level. Level 4 on
Working through the Gateway
the framework is equivalent to
Programme which provides
first year tertiary study. I believe
vocational training through
we are the first college to do this.
schools, young people can opt
All assessments on the framework
to do an Aviation placement.
need to be moderated and
The programme is available in
ATTTO have indicated that the
both power and glider units. This
CFI in any gliding club has the
programme is not yet rolled out
credentials to do this.”
nationwide but aero and gliding
If young people are interested
clubs are working to have it ready.
in the 10 week Aviation vocational
In the meantime it is possible for
course they should approach the
young people with flight training
Gateway Programme adviser at
up to PPL in power planes and
their school. Be aware that not
GPL in gliders to transfer that
all Aero or Gliding clubs in the
training to level 3 NCEA credits.
country are prepared for or able
ATTTO have worked with
to provide this programme yet.
the Christchurch Aero club to
Hopefully if there is enough
develop a programme which
interest in an area then something
introduces young people to career
can be arranged for your club.
paths available in aviation and
For information on turning flight
teaches them about flight. Over
training into NCEA credits, in
a period of ten weeks students
the first instance see the ATTTO
spend one day a week with their
website ATTTO.org.nz and/or
local aero or gliding club. In the
approach your CFI.
trial programme last year with
Gliding New Zealand is very
Christchurch Aero Club the
excited about the potential this
students received a pack including
programme has to introduce
a year’s free membership, the first Images from the ATTTO Aviation Gateway Careers Guide and Principles of interested and motivated students
Flight Student Manual for obtaining NZQA credits
three flights of their PPL and a
to our sport. As a parent of keen
log book. These costs are not included in the school’s programme
aviators I personally am very excited by the way this programme
but were offered at reduced rates by the aero club. The school
and many other Gateway vocation programmes keep school
covers the cost of the work books and assessments for the course.
meaningful and relevant to young people who may otherwise drift
The ten week programme is a structured programme of
away from education. Having some NCEA credits in the bag for my
events including an introduction to the club and meeting with
solo glider pilot is a bonus.
the instructors. As well as their three flights, airfield ‘etiquette’,
I am Jill McCaw, editor and publisher of Gliding NZ’s official
how to wash aircraft and why, preflights, refuelling and visits with
journal SoaringNZ. For more information on the magazine or to
the mechanics at the aero club were included on the days spent
learn more about gliding in New Zealand see the GNZ web site:
at the club. Other days involved visits to the control tower, radar
www.gliding.co.nz
centre, Air New Zealand Maintenance and the Crash Fire unit.
They talked to helicopter pilots and discussed helicopter training
and were visited by an Airforce recruiter and an Air New Zealand
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to AN (671-676) or AGS (320-326) Specs.
Vern Grant says, “Gliding Wairarapa, with the assistance of
Tie Rods available in Carbon Steel or Stainless Steel
to AN (701-706) or AGS (307-313) Specs. Dave Evans, Aircraft Industry Training Advisor from ATTTO and
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the NZQA, constructed the (Unit standard) equivalent (of the flight
to AN665, BS SP3 or AGS Specs. training) program for gliding. All six standards are based on Gliding
Testing and recertification service for your old assemblies available. New Zealand’s protocols for training. It is suspected that other
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aviation industries will follow, including helicopter and ballooning
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