Auckland Aero Club Inc

What Auckland Aero Club Inc does

Auckland Aero Club Inc is a non-profit incorporated society founded in 1928 and based at Ardmore Airport, Auckland, New Zealand. It is one of New Zealand's oldest aviation institutions and operates as a member-based flying club delivering pilot training, aircraft hire, and community flying activities. The club's core offering is Private Pilot License training (typically completed around 75 flight hours with first solo near 15 hours) supplemented by part-time Commercial Pilot License and Flight Instructor Rating training, night privileges, aerobatics (via partnership with NZ Warbirds using the A-152 Aerobat), and overseas license conversion services. The club maintains a fleet of seven aircraft (four Cessna 172S, one Cessna 172N 180hp conversion, one Cessna C-152, and one A152 Aerobat) and a roster of seven certified flight instructors including A-Cat, B-Cat, and C-Cat grades.

The business model is member-supported with multiple revenue streams: flight training (hourly instructor rates), aircraft hire (dry hire plus fuel for licensed members), introductory trial flights sold via gift vouchers ($256.47–$513.97), ground theory partnerships (CBT Systems), and external theory exams (ASPEQ). Pricing is unit-based and pay-as-you-go with fuel surcharges. Customer segments span aspiring private pilots (primary), licensed club members, youth ages 13–17 (Young Eagles program), advanced training seekers, and overseas pilots converting licenses. The club is a member of the Flying NZ network and operates with eleven staff. The club maintains an online presence via its website (aac.org.nz), member booking platform (Altivy), events calendar, Facebook, and Instagram, with a centenary celebration planned for 2028.

Name

Auckland Aero Club Inc

Legal name

Auckland Aero Club Incorporated

Website

https://aac.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Auckland Aero Club Inc is a non-profit New Zealand flying club founded in 1928, based at Ardmore Airport, delivering Private Pilot License training, aircraft hire, and youth aviation programs to aspiring pilots, licensed members, and aviation enthusiasts in the Auckland region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ardmore, Papakura

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Flight Training: Revenue from flight instruction for Private Pilot License, commercial training, night privileges, aerobatics, and other specialized training. Instructor hourly rates apply.
2. Aircraft Hire (Dry Hire): Licensed members can hire club aircraft at hourly rates. Fuel is calculated separately and added to dry hire rates. Dual (with instructor) and Solo rates vary with AVGAS price.
3. Introductory Trial Flights: Gift vouchers for trial flights sold at fixed prices: $256.47-$513.97 depending on aircraft type (two-seat vs four-seat) and duration (30 or 60 minutes). Vouchers valid for 3 years.
4. Ground Theory Training: Theory training through partner CBT Systems - club recommends this online program to students for exam preparation
5. Theory Exams: Six theory exams (Flight Radio, Human Factors, Meteorology, Aircraft Technical Knowledge, Air Law, Air Navigation) conducted by ASPEQ - external exam fees apply

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Auckland Aero Club is a member-based flying club that provides Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL) flight training, dry-hire aircraft rental to licensed members, and specialised instruction modules including night privileges, aerobatics, and overseas license conversions. It also runs the Young Eagles youth aviation program and organises club trips and competitions from its base at Ardmore Airport.

Product overview

Auckland Aero Club is a non-profit flying club operating as a traditional flight school, offering recreational and professional pilot training from its Ardmore Airport base. The core offerings center on Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License training, complemented by specialized modules including Night Privileges, Aerobatics, and Overseas License Conversions. The club operates a fleet of seven aircraft (Cessna 172S, 172N, C-152, and A152 Aerobat) available for both training and member hire. Supporting products include Introductory Trial Flights (available in two-seat and four-seat configurations from 30 minutes to one hour), the Young Eagles youth program, and club activities such as trips and competitions. Theory training is delivered through CBT Systems partnership, with practical examinations via ASPEQ. The club celebrated its centenary in 2028 (established 1928) and maintains active partnerships with Flying NZ, NZ Warbirds Association, and other aviation organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young Eagles: Youth aviation program for young people aged 13-17 to experience flying and consider aviation careers. Part of the Flying NZ (Royal New Zealand Aero Club) Young Eagles program.

Products and services

• Private Pilot License (PPL) Training Comprehensive flight training program that enables students to act as Pilot in Command of an aeroplane, covering aircraft handling, six theory exams, cross-country navigation, and the final flight test. Available to aspiring pilots aged 15 and over with no prerequisites.
• Commercial Pilot License Training Part-time training towards a Commercial Pilot License offered when training capacity allows, for pilots seeking professional aviation careers.
• Flight Instructor Ratings Training towards Flight Instructor Ratings offered when capacity allows, for pilots pursuing instructional careers.
• Introductory Trial Flights Introductory trial flight experiences allowing participants to take control of an aircraft under instructor supervision, offered in four configurations: two-seat 30-minute ($256.47), two-seat 60-minute ($441.87), four-seat 30-minute ($297.67), and four-seat 60-minute ($513.97). Gift vouchers for these flights are valid for three years and non-refundable.
• Night Privileges Training Training program that enables licensed pilots to fly after dark, requiring 2 hours of dual instruction, 2 hours of solo flight, and 5 hours of total night experience.
• Aerobatics Training Aerobatic training covering loops, rolls, spins, upset recovery, and competition sequence flying, conducted using the A-152 Aerobat ZK-JDB in partnership with the NZ Warbirds Association.
• Ground Theory Training (CBT Systems) Online PPL theory training delivered via CBT Systems covering six subjects: Flight Radio Operation, Human Factors, Meteorology, Aircraft Technical Knowledge, Air Law, and Air Navigation. Each subject provides four months of access from activation with audio-visual lessons, reference materials, and practice questions.
• Overseas License Conversions Conversion training program for overseas pilots to obtain a New Zealand Private Pilot License, including Biennial Flight Review (BFR), syllabus items covering low flying and terrain awareness, and CAA NZ approval support.
• Aircraft Hire Dry-hire rental of the club's fleet of seven aircraft (four Cessna 172S, one Cessna 172N 180hp conversion, one Cessna C-152, one A152 Aerobat) to licensed club members at hourly rates plus fuel, bookable through the online member booking system.
• Young Eagles Program Youth aviation program for 13-17 year olds offering introductory aircraft rides, visits to aviation facilities, NCEA credits, and scholarship opportunities toward pilot training as part of the Flying NZ national network.
• Club Trips Organised social flying excursions for members to destinations including Pauanui, Great Barrier Island, Cape Reinga, Central Plateau, and South Island trips.
• Club Competitions Member flying competitions including precision landing, low flying, navigation challenges, and aerobatics, with progression pathways to Flying New Zealand regional and national competitions.

Quantifiable outcome

• First solo typically occurs around 15 hours
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CBT SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBT Systems provides online Private Pilot Theory Training Program recommended to all Auckland Aero Club students. The program includes audio-visual lessons, reference materials, practice questions, and exam preparation. Each subject provides 4 months access from activation.
• ASPEQcoreOthersASPEQ conducts the computer-based multiple-choice theory exams for club students at their facilities. Pass mark is 70%. Exams cover Flight Radio Operation, Human Factors, Meteorology, Aircraft Technical Knowledge, Air Law, and Air Navigation.
• Flying NZ (Royal New Zealand Aero Club)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlying NZ is the national governing body that adapted the Young Eagles program from the US EAA. Coordinates Aero Club network with 17 clubs nationwide, manages regional and national competitions, and provides Flight Leader/Young Eagle Coordinator support.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) - USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based organization that originated the Young Eagles program, which was adapted by Flying NZ for the New Zealand environment and Aero Club structure.
• NZ Warbirds AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NZ Warbirds Association allows the club to provide aerobatic training using the A-152 Aerobat ZK-JDB. Students learn loop, roll, spin, recovery from upset, and competition sequences.
• Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA NZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory body governing all aviation in NZ. The club and its pilots must adhere to all relevant Civil Aviation Rules. License conversions and medical certifications are processed through CAA NZ.
• Ardmore AirportcoreOthersThe club operates from Ardmore Airport, one of the busiest airports in New Zealand. The airport provides the operational base and infrastructure for flight training activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• CAE: Global aviation training leader operating cadet-to-captain pilot training programs across multiple geographies. Provides overlapping pilot training services but at enterprise scale as part of a broader aviation services portfolio.
• FlightSafety International: Globally dominant pilot training provider operating full-motion simulators and type-rating programs for airlines and professional pilots. Overlaps in private/commercial pilot training but at a much larger enterprise scale and broader portfolio.

Others

• NZ Warbirds Association: Heritage aircraft organization co-located at Ardmore Airport and a strategic partner with AAC for aerobatic training using the A152 Aerobat. Enabling partner rather than competitor.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): US-based general aviation organization that originated the Young Eagles youth program later adapted by Flying NZ. Thematically linked through youth aviation engagement but operating across a different geography and scale.
• Flying NZ (Royal New Zealand Aero Club): National governing body that coordinates AAC and 16 other member aero clubs, runs the Young Eagles program, and organizes regional/national competitions. Ecosystem and network counterpart rather than competitor.

Direct peers

• Waikato Aero Club: Flying NZ-affiliated aero club offering private pilot training and member aircraft hire from a North Island regional base. Directly comparable member-based training club business model and product mix to Auckland Aero Club.
• Canterbury Aero Club: One of New Zealand's oldest aero clubs, offering PPL/CPL training and member aircraft hire from a regional airport base under the Flying NZ network. Directly comparable member-based flying club structure and revenue model to Auckland Aero Club.
• Kapiti Aero Club: Lower North Island aero club offering recreational pilot training, aircraft hire, and club flying activities. Comparable member-driven flight training business model and Cessna-style training fleet to Auckland Aero Club.
• Ardmore Flying School: Commercial flight training school also based at Ardmore Airport, offering private and commercial pilot training on a similar Cessna fleet. Closest geographic peer competing for the same Auckland student pilot pool.
• International Aviation Academy of New Zealand: NZ-based integrated flight training academy offering PPL through to ATPL pathways, also operating from Ardmore Airport. Directly comparable flight training offering and geographic market to Auckland Aero Club.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AACNZ
• Instagraminstagram.com/auckland_aeroclub/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auckland-aero-club-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Auckland Aero Club Inc