The 2026 CAA Flight Instructor Seminar series commenced in Auckland this Month, bringing together flight instructors from across the North Island under the theme of Collaboration.
This year's seminars represent a new partnership between the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand (AIANZ), combining regulatory expertise with industry-led knowledge sharing.
Opening the event, CAA's Brendan Odell encouraged attendees to embrace leadership and help shape the future of the aviation industry. AIANZ representative Paul Kearney welcomed participants and highlighted the value of collaboration across the sector, noting that sharing ideas, experiences, and resources helps strengthen flight training standards and aviation safety.
The programme centred on the themes of Refresh, Refine and Lead, with sessions covering instructional excellence, accountability in training, leadership development, and the practical use of artificial intelligence in aviation. Attendees also benefited from an engaging CAA panel discussion addressing common industry questions and demonstrating how to make better use of CAA resources.
Aspeq confirmed its ongoing sponsorship of the seminar programme, recognising the critical role flight instructors play in developing safe and capable pilots. As Paul noted, "Every pilot's success can ultimately be traced back to a flight instructor."
Beyond the presentations, one of the most valuable aspects of the day was the opportunity to network with peers from across the industry. Instructors shared experiences, discussed common challenges, and exchanged practical ideas that will continue to strengthen collaboration and professional development throughout New Zealand's flight training community.
Overall, the Auckland seminar was a highly successful start to the 2026 series. The quality of presentations, strong attendee engagement, and positive feedback demonstrated the value of bringing instructors together to refresh their knowledge, refine their skills, and develop as leaders within New Zealand aviation.
