Massey University School of Aviation breaks ground on new facility

(Left to right): Massey University School of Aviation’s Chief Executive, Ashok Poduval; and Palmerston North Airport Limited’s Chief Executive, David Lanham

Palmerston North Airport Limited has begun construction of a state-of-the-art training facility for Massey University School of Aviation, which will bring the school’s students and staff members together in one location for the first time.

The airport is investing NZ$5 million in the 2200 square-metre facility located in the Ruapehu Business Park, which is a 20-hectare development for aviation maintenance and training, commercial, logistics, retail and light industrial properties.

The school’s new facility will be constructed in two stages. Due for completion in June 2018, stage one will accommodate existing airport-based students, staff and aircraft maintenance activities. Stage two, due for completion in June 2019, will accommodate the aviation faculty and administrative staff currently based at the University's Turitea site.

“The new facility will assist the school to further promote its capabilities to an international audience at a time when the demand for pilot and aviation management training is continuing to grow,” explained Palmerston North Airport’s Chief Executive, David Lanham. “It will also be an exciting addition to Ruapehu Business Park and it is expected to act as a catalyst for other adjacent developments.”

Massey University School of Aviation has been operating from its current Milson Flight Systems Centre at Palmerston North Airport since 1994. The school is New Zealand’s leading aviation education and flight training provider, with a fleet of Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft and ground-based training facilities.