Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Aviation Network

I am pleased to be here today to officially launch the country’s largest aviation training network. The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology programme is really making its mark as a leader in training the pilots of tomorrow.

As a politician, air travel is just part of everyday life. I jump on an aircraft and head to a destination – probably do some work on the way, chat to a passenger, read or catch a few minutes sleep and then arrive at an airport and head off to a meeting or event.

But coming here today prompted me to pause for a moment and reflect on how we take air travel for granted now.

Who could have imagined back in the days of the post-war air strip that our air services would eventually evolve into scenic flying, aerial mapping, emergency rescue services, top dressing and spraying, air taxi services and, naturally, aviation training.

It’s training that I want to talk about today, and to acknowledge the wonderful work the NMIT Aviation Network does in preparing our future pilots. What your Institute has created, with your eleven partners around the country, is unique. The Network now trains over 300 pilots a year and offers a cohesive framework for students wanting a career in aviation.

This is a time of unprecedented growth in the global aviation industry. This growth has led to a worldwide shortage of pilots and a wealth of opportunities for training providers willing to grasp them. In order for us to capitalise on these opportunities, it is important to maintain and enhance our reputation as a provider of safe aviation training. NMIT should be proud to be at the forefront of aviation safety in New Zealand.

New Zealand relies on aviation to export some high value products to global markets and for our people to do business and see family and friends overseas. Domestically, aviation has become a highly competitive form of transport at the expense of road and rail.

New Zealand’s tourism industry has a sizeable aviation element, with tourists able to fly over and on to our mountains and lakes. Recreational flying is also a popular pastime with airspace that is largely uncluttered compared with other parts of the world.

As Minister for Transport Safety, I can not give a speech to an aviation gathering without reflecting on safety outcomes achieved in the recent past. It is a subject that we approach with both optimism and caution.

New Zealand’s relatively small fleet experiences the statistical effects of low numbers. A single accident can drastically alter the record for the year. The background to our recent aviation safety record is one of increasing activity, unsurprising in light of economic growth and confidence.

Since 2005, the Civil Aviation Authority has been expressing safety in terms of social cost. The various sectors in the industry continue to show distinct differences. However, some of these differences are changing in positive ways. While the categories of Airline Operations – Medium Aeroplanes and Other Commercial Operations – Helicopter exceed their social cost targets by considerable margins, the category of Airline Operations – Large Aeroplanes has remained well below the target level.

Pleasingly, agricultural operations in both the aeroplane and helicopter categories have shown a sharp downward trend from an initially high start point. Private Operations – Aeroplanes and Helicopters are also showing a downward trend in social cost towards their target levels. For both agricultural and private operations, this is good news, coming from sectors that were previously of great concern.

This focuses our attention on the vital role that pilot training has in aviation safety and the development of a strong safety culture. The Diploma in Aviation Science offered by the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology is an internationally recognised qualification and an important step towards a number of degree qualifications.

It equips students for jobs as co-pilots, or pilots of helicopters or small aeroplanes.

It can qualify them to become flying instructors. With its commitment to training students to the highest standards, it clearly sets them up for a safe and promising future in the aviation industry.

Many of the students who have gone through your aviation programme probably always dreamed of becoming pilots. We all know that ‘learning to fly’ is a passion for many young people. Through your Aviation Network and with the commitment of your partners, you are helping your students to live this dream.

Congratulations on your contribution to the aviation industry. I now have pleasure in formally launching the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Aviation Network.