Looking for ideas for a career change to aviation

[tony]

I have been contemplating a change in career and was thinking if there was something I could get into with the aviation industry in New Zealand. My background is equipment, I was a heavy equipment mechanic for 12 years and have been selling new equipment in the same role for 7 years now. I'm usually top 3 in our company every year, it pays really well, and I have learned a lot about sales, marketing, and event organizing but aircraft have been a life long interest and I often think I would do even better selling or marketing something I have a genuine passion for.

Are there any of these kind of roles in New Zealand or is it too smaller market?

[snaphead]

There are 3 options, join the RNZAF, or do the 36 week course run by Air NZ, (I presume these are still running regardless of covid?). or you could do it yourself. I would choose the RNZAF as it is "earn as you learn". The others are "pay as you go".

[FlyingKiwi]

I gather you're not specifically referring to training as a pilot? The aircraft sales market in NZ is pretty small and private aircraft tend to change hands through private sales. There are companies like Oceania Aviation that handle reasonable volumes of sales to commercial (and some private) operators. Parts sales also through various engineering outlets but again they're often small businesses with only a few employees so openings may be few and far between, especially in the current environment.

[tony]

Dec 16, 2021 17:35:33 GMT 12 FlyingKiwi said:

I gather you're not specifically referring to training as a pilot? The aircraft sales market in NZ is pretty small and private aircraft tend to change hands through private sales. There are companies like Oceania Aviation that handle reasonable volumes of sales to commercial (and some private) operators. Parts sales also through various engineering outlets but again they're often small businesses with only a few employees so openings may be few and far between, especially in the current environment.

That is correct, not looking to fly for a job. I got the idea listening to a few podcasts lately on inventors in equipment and aviation where the designer or engineer makes an amazing product, but doesn't have the sales or people skills to market it effectively, or negotiate the sales.

Thinking along the lines of:
-A company manufacturing aircraft or drones selling to private buyers, corperates, or military.
-A nz company that is the dealer for a brand of aircraft
-An international company wanting a rep on the ground to sell in this part of the world

[oj]

I admire your keenness Tony but you will likely have to be prepared for a dramatic reduction in income by changing horses.
There just won't be the volume-commission available.
Attaining competency in aircraft (or aircraft component) sales is paramount and will take some time.
Passion and intent cannot supplant competency.
However, I wish you well in your endeavors.
I would suggest staying in your present employment and using that to finance your interests in aviation as a hobby until such time as you can see a viable opportunity to make a full transition.

[machina]

Interesting and timely thread - recently I’ve wondered about the same thing. I work in construction and have looked into how what I do/know (project management and quantity surveying) might transfer to manufacturing etc, specifically in the aviation industry.
Project management in general is probably the most transferable skill set, but I’m interested also in how pricing and procurement is done in that world.

As mentioned above it would most likely entail a pay/ladder position hit and this is probably the most limiting factor.