Need to know information | Internationally recognized qualification

frequently asked questions

The Diploma in Commercial Skydiving is known all over the world and we have more requests for students than we are able to supply.

Here at the New Zealand Skydiving School we are affiliated with the NZPIA (New Zealand Parachute Industry Association), and the NZPIA certificates we issue are aligned with the international sport licencing body, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). The aim of the course is to prepare students for employment in the specialist field of skydiving and much of the course content has been developed in direct response to industry operators all over the world making our graduates highly employable in all countries across the world.

If you are serious about working in the skydiving industry, there is no better platform to achieving your goal than the Diploma in Commercial Skydiving.

  • You will receive world-class, consistent and intensive training and high levels of supervision from the New Zealand Skydiving School team.
  • You will achieve up to 200 skydives in only 32 weeks which is a very consolidated time period which could otherwise take a couple of years to achieve if you were seeking independent training.
  • You will gain experience in all areas of dropzone operations, which would be unavailable to you in a typical dropzone environment. You will learn manifesting, ground crew, video editing, parachute packing (tandem and sport) and be trained in camera flying for filming tandems.
  • The learning facilities and equipment at the school are conducive to learning. The New Zealand Skydiving School runs alongside Skydive Auckland, a full-time commercial skydiving operation. The school boasts a large packing area, fully equipped classroom with lecture facilities, computers, internet access and video editing facilities, along with multiple debriefing stations.  In addition to these, there is also an on-site kitchen, toilets and shower facilities for student use.

You would not receive this in depth level of training and access to this learning environment at your local dropzone. The content of the course, timeframe in which it is delivered and consistent coaching and training makes you highly employable to dropzones at the end of the course, hence our 95% employment rate.

On average, graduates who are currently employed full-time as camera flyers, earn between $35,000 – $45,000 per year.  As a tandem master you can expect to earn up to $80,000 per year. Ground crew roles within the industry, such as manifest, editing and packing can earn in advance of $35,000 per year depending on your location.  
 
You may begin your career working in the industry as ground crew, progressing to freefall camera flyer and then AFF jumpmaster / tandem master once you gain the required number of jumps. Some students, who have proven themselves, have entered the industry as a freefall camera flyer upon successful completion of their work placement.

Students who qualify for a StudyLink student allowance, will be able to claim that allowance while on 12-week work placement.  All students are required to ensure they have enough money to support them through their work placement, as it is unpaid.

No, accommodation is at your own expense. Most students choose to stay in the student house next to the airfield for the entirety of their time at the school. We will provide you with accommodation options once you have secured a place on the course. International students – assistance is available to make accommodation bookings at your request. Please note that we do not arrange or inspect accommodation or in any way guarantee the quality or availability of private accommodation.

Spaces on the Diploma in Commercial Skydiving are limited, the earlier you apply the more chance you will have of being accepted on your chosen intake.  

Domestic students are required to pay a deposit of $500 and ensure they have enough time to get through the StudyLink application process. International students need to apply and pay full course fees into a Government guaranteed trust account, in order to meet the study visa requirements. The time it takes to get your student visa varies depending on the country where you are applying. We suggest you allow 3 months overall, however it is worth contacting us should your timeframe be shorter.

International Student FAQ’s

We recommend allowing about 12 weeks for your visa to be processed. So make sure you get your application in within plenty of time of the start date. When applying for your visa make sure that you submit all of the information that immigration require as insufficient or incorrect information is often the cause of delays.

Although the Accident Compensation Cooperation (ACC) provides accident insurance for all temporary visitors if they are injured whilst in New Zealand, international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services. If you fall ill whilst you are here, you may be liable for the cost of your treatment and related medical expenses.  Ultimately, it is a requirement of the Ministry of Education’s Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.  You will be asked to provide proof of your travel and medical insurance policy prior to enrolment.  Please visit: www.moh.govt.nz and www.acc.co.nz for more information. Information on recommended travel and medical insurance providers will be sent to you during the application process.

If you are over 18, hold an IELTS (or equivalent test) with a score of 6.0, have the funds available to purchase anciallary equipment and are a Fit and Proper person then you are eligible to apply.

The Diploma in Commercial Skydiving is known all over the world and the New Zealand Skydiving School is affiliated with the NZPIA (New Zealand Parachute Industry Association).  The NZPIA Certificates issued to students are aligned with the international sport licensing body, the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) and are recognised internationally. 

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