New Zealand
December - March
2025 dates on request
Tailor made adventures, xc, hike & fly and vol-bivouac in the stunning Southern Alps.
Technical training on the coast.
New Zealand’s wild and rugged landscapes offer some of the most unique and magical flying experiences in the world. From the Southern Alps to Queenstown, Wanaka, Tekapo, and beyond, you’ll find adventure at every turn. Whether you’re into XC (cross-country flying), hike & fly, or vol-bivouac, this stunning destination offers unparalleled opportunities for pilots ready to take their skills to the next level.
XC, hike & fly and vol-bivouac in New Zealand. Wild Southern Alps, Queenstown, Wanaka, Tekapo and beyond, North Island top landing and technical training on the coast, in the middle of northern winter.
We’ve run successful vol-bivouac group clinics in New Zealand, but recently, Kinga has shifted focus towards providing more more personal coaching and guiding in Aotearoa. The complex and changeable weather, combined with the challenging logistics of the mountains and few roads, make 1-on-1 coaching far more valuable for pilots here. With private coaching, you’ll get more flying, more adventure, and a truly tailored experience.
We can cover all the sites, topics and exercises described below and much more, fully tailoring the program to your experience, flying skills, fitness level, goals end expectations.
New Zealand is one of the most unique and magical flying destinations in the world and if you’re keen on flying here, want to come alone or with your buddies, get in touch and we’ll find the best way to make it happen!
Why Choose Personal Coaching in New Zealand?
While group clinics are fun and enriching, personal coaching allows you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and challenge of flying in New Zealand. Here’s why 1-on-1 coaching is the perfect option:
- Tailored to Your Needs: Whether you’re working on cross-country flying, top landing, or technical maneuvers, we design a program around your skill level, fitness, and specific goals.
- More Flying, More Adventure: With a personalized approach, you’ll spend more time in the air, exploring New Zealand’s diverse flying sites. We adapt to the weather and conditions, giving you the freedom to fully experience everything this incredible location has to offer.
- Focused Attention: The mountains can be unpredictable, and the terrain challenging. With private guiding, you’ll have more time to practice, receive real-time feedback, and tackle variety of flying conditions with a dedicated guide by your side.
- Customized Program: From XC flights to technical coastal training and real mountain adventures, we can cover everything and more. The flexibility of personal coaching means we can adapt to your needs at every stage of your journey.
What Can You Expect?
Our coaching programs in New Zealand cover everything from XC flying to hike & fly and vol-bivouac techniques, all tailored to your experience and ambitions. Here’s just a glimpse of what we can work on together:
- Cross-Country Flying: Gain the skills to plan and navigate longer flights, improve your thermal and soaring techniques, and explore New Zealand’s diverse flying sites.
- Vol-Bivouac: Learn the art of combining flying with overnight wilderness adventures, carrying your gear and camping in remote mountain locations.
- Top Landing & Coastal Training: Improve your ability to land in challenging environments, whether on mountain ridges or the rugged New Zealand coastline.
- Technical Skills & Fitness: Whether you’re working on specific maneuvers or building your fitness for hike & fly, we’ll tailor the experience to suit your needs.
Ready to Fly in New Zealand?
New Zealand is waiting for you – a land of epic landscapes, challenging flying conditions, and endless adventure. If you’re ready to dive into personal coaching, whether alone or with friends, get in touch . Together, we’ll craft a plan to make your flying dreams a reality in this truly magical place.
For those looking for a group adventure, check out our European and Himalayan group clinics, where we can experience more predictable conditions and easier logistics, while still offering plenty of adventure and vol-bivouac excitement with the other like minded pilots
Previous coaching sessions:
check 2023 vol-bivouac clinic on social media
What is it?
This isn’t your typical XC course. Instead, it’s a comprehensive introduction to mountain XC flying, hike & fly, and vol-bivouac—all tailored specifically to your flying skills, goals, and expectations. While great flying is essential, it’s equally about the right mindset and physical preparation. Depending on your individual needs, we’ll focus on all these areas, building on your strengths while pushing you beyond your comfort zone.
After this coaching experience, you won’t just leave with unforgettable memories of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes. You’ll also become a better, safer, and more confident pilot—one who can plan and execute XC flights, hike & fly adventures, or vol-bivouac expeditions, and adjust plans when conditions change.
We’ll explore some of the most beautiful and often hidden flying sites on the South Island, ensuring you get the full experience of this amazing country.
If you’re looking to refine your top landings, take-offs, and ground handling skills, our Technical Training on the North Island’s coast might be just what you need to take your flying to the next level!
North Island
The journey starts on the north where depends on the weather, we’ll visit black coast cliffs, gold Pacific beaches, inland ridge riding, and/or flatlands where from the air you can see both Pacific and Tasman Sea! It’s a training time and we’ll practice everything that is crucial for successful XC, hike & fly and vol-biv, with particular emphasis on ground handling and top landing techniques, gear preparation, packing etc. hands on practical approach.
In the evenings we’ll talk about planning your flight or expedition, topography, weather, choosing good lines in the air and being efficient on the ground, finding good camping spots and take offs, lee side flying, safety in the mountains, managing food, water, electronics, communication, and much much more.
Southern Alps
The Southern Alps are wild, remote, and rugged—many valleys have no trails, and even fewer have roads. This makes vol-bivouac the natural choice for exploring this stunning region. We’ll make the most of every day, practicing top and slope landings as needed, and then head deep into the mountains for a few days (or longer), depending on the weather.
While I can’t guarantee a specific route, I can promise you one thing: an unforgettable adventure that will challenge you and reward you with some of the most breathtaking views and experiences you’ll ever have.
Details
Before your arrival you’ll fill a questionnaire so we can adjust the program to your goals, experience and fitness level, and we’ll send you personalized preparation tips.
We’ll practice everything that is crucial for successful XC flying, hike and fly and vol-biv adventures, with particular focus on ground handling and top landing techniques, gear preparation, packing camping gear into your harness, making a fire etc. hands on practical approach.
Southern Alps are remote, many valleys do not even have a trail, not to mention road so vol-bivouac mode is the only reasonable choice. Flying here is always an adventure!
You’ll learn:
How to plan your XC day, hike & fly adventure or vol-bivouac expedition (cartography, weather, topography, etc.)
How to predict weather and to assess conditions on site
How to choose a line in the air, how to fly faster and more efficiently?
How to move through the mountains on the ground?
Lee side – how to use it and not get into trouble
How to choose your top landing and bivouac location
Take off and top landing techniques (we’ll practice a lot too!)
General physical preparation (for a competition and an expedition)
How to manage the mind (motivation, emotions, fear etc.)
How to choose your flight equipment?
How to choose and use the safety gear?
Repairing material, rip stop, sewing, gluing etc.
First aid kit
How to manage food and water in the mountains
Managing energy and electronics consumption
The means of communication
Particular dangers of bivouac (fatigue, heavy harness, fear of having to walk, etc.)
Use of pg equipment for a spontaneous bivouac
And anything else you want to know!
Pricing
- 1:1 Coaching: NZD 800 per day (discounts available for longer sessions)
Important Notes
- To fly in New Zealand, you’ll need a Visiting Pilot License.
- Please remember to bring travel insurance—ACC and liability are covered, but travel insurance is essential.
Book Your Session
To book your coaching session, simply send us an email via our Contact Form, and we’ll discuss the details. To confirm your participation, we require a 30% deposit. This deposit is non-refundable but can be transferred to a different date, another group adventure, or additional 1:1 coaching.
