Whanganui's NZ International Pilot Academy being investigated by CAA after safety complaints
'This action has been taken under Section 314 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023, due to concerns around maintenance practises and the record-keeping processes,' it said.
'The prohibition applies to all flight operations and was deemed necessary to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the public.
'Ground-based training and instructional activities remain unaffected and will continue as scheduled.'
Glanville told the Chronicle that the CAA chose to investigate following concerns raised through 'anonymous reporting'.
'There is a general prohibition of using our aircraft while they [CAA] determine if there's a safety aspect to it or not.
'We cannot use our current aircraft fleet, but the Part 141 licence we have is not suspended.
'We are not shut down. They are just investigating whether there is a wider problem with the maintenance of our aircraft.'
The academy is funded by the Whanganui District Council and operates under the council's financial arm - Whanganui District Holdings.
In 2023, the NZICPA signed a deal with Indian airline IndiGo to train 200 new cadets up to December 2026.
Ten second-hand planes, costing $2.78 million in total, were added to the fleet last year.
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe said he had a meeting scheduled with the NZICPA board and chief executive for this afternoon.
'We are just trying to gather as much information as we can,' he said.
'The wellbeing and safety of students is a priority.'
The academy started operating in 2017, with the council as a 100% shareholder.
'It's got its own board and management team, but, as councillors, we are expecting meticulous attention to safety from all our CCOs,' Tripe said.
A report from Holdings chair Carolyn van Leuven to the council's council-controlled organisations and economic development committee in April said a twin-engine DA42 had been bought for the academy.
'NZICPA had previously identified the risk associated with operating only one twin-engine trainer, which was realised when our only DA42 was out of action for five weeks during scheduled maintenance and the shortage in New Zealand of rental DA42's,' it said.
At that meeting, NZICPA chairman Matthew Doyle said there were 141 students at its accommodation facilities, with 26 instructors.
The council is building a $3.6m partial parallel taxiway from the academy's hangar to the main runway to mitigate safety issues such as backtracking (back taxiing).
Glanville's letter said no charges would be made to cadets for accommodation or food during the investigation, starting from May 23 'to the date that a cadet resumes flight training'.
'We are also permitted to lease aircraft not included in the prohibition notice,' it said.
'These will operate under the maintenance control of their respective owners until NZICPA's system is rectified and approved.'
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Home detention for role in defrauding Oranga Tamariki of more than $2m
The husband of a former Oranga Tamariki employee who helped his wife defraud the agency of more than $2 million has been sentenced to 12 months' home detention. Amandeep Sharma pleaded guilty to obtaining by deception and money laundering in May after he and his wife Neha Sharma kept their marriage secret and funnelled public money through his construction company Divine Connection Ltd. Neha Sharma, who was jailed for three years in May, kept the conflict of interest concealed as she approved the company's invoices, got him jobs that could have been carried out by other companies and even carried out work for the company during office hours. Less than two weeks after the Serious Fraud Office knocked on their front door, the couple booked two one-way business class to India, after transferring just under $800,000 overseas. Justice Eaton said he seriously considered jailing Sharma but sentenced him to home detention in order for him to seek rehabilitation and support his daughter. "The attitude you have displayed is worrying. It is indicative of a lack of accountability and does in my view display a degree of entitlement, perhaps arrogance," he said. Serious Fraud Office (SFO) director Karen Chang said Sharma and his wife took advantage of her position of trust for their own financial gain. "It is critical that we disrupt behaviour of this kind, which damages the integrity of our public institutions and threatens our reputation as a safe place to invest and do business," she said. "Corrupt behaviour by public servants is a key focus for the SFO, and we are currently advancing initiatives that will strengthen the New Zealand public sector's overall resilience to fraud and corruption." The SFO filed charges against the couple in 2023 alleging Neha Sharma had provided false references to secure her role at Oranga Tamariki where she managed aspects of properties in the Canterbury region, including maintenance, upkeep, and modifications. Neha Sharma set up her husband's company as a contractor without declaring a conflict of interest and then assigned work to this company over others suppliers, at a cost of $2.1 million to Oranga Tamariki. She then applied for a role at the transport agency, for which she also provided a false reference. The SFO said police seized the funds the couple had transferred. It said proceedings to return them to New Zealand were underway, while the High Court had issued a restraining order over the couple's properties in New Zealand. Chang thanked the police and Indian authorities for their swift action and the co-operation of Oranga Tamariki and the transport agency in the investigation.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Scoop
Stronger Forestry Ties With India Driving Export Growth
Forestry, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, today announced at the Fieldays Forestry Hub, both inbound and outbound forestry trade missions with India this year, aimed at strengthening trade links, deepening industry ties, and unlocking greater value for both countries' forestry and wood processing sectors. 'India is one of the fastest-growing markets for our forestry exports – and we're focused on turning that growth into long-term opportunity for New Zealand exporters,' Mr McClay says. New Zealand's wood exports to India have surged from $9.5 million in 2023 to an estimated $76.5 million this year. Pulp exports have more than doubled, from $20 million to $45.6 million. 'Increased engagement with India is already delivering results. We're now building on that momentum with a targeted sector focus — including hosting an Indian delegation in New Zealand and planning a Minister-led mission to India later this year.' The inbound visit, supported by industry partners, will showcase New Zealand's world-class forestry systems and sustainable management practices. While the outbound mission will continue to open doors for deeper commercial and government partnerships. 'Our relationship with India is a priority, and forestry is a key part of that. The goal is clear: to grow the market, remove barriers, and drive better returns back to New Zealand's foresters and processors.'
NZ Herald
13-06-2025
- NZ Herald
Air India plane crash: Indian aviation's close connection with New Zealand and student pilots
Hundreds of Indian student pilots in New Zealand will be feeling devastated after yesterday's fatal crash, aviation sector leader Simon Wallace says. Air India's chief executive is Christchurch-born Campbell Wilson but the bilateral links extend further. Wallace, the Aviation Industry Association (AIANZ) chief executive, said he hoped the community supported
