Understand the theory, not just pass the exam
Too much aviation theory study comes down to memorising answers, passing, then forgetting it a week later. That is no way to prepare to fly. So we built something better, starting with PPL and growing toward every New Zealand rating.
Our mission
Our goal is simple: teach New Zealand student pilots to genuinely understand the theory behind every answer. Understanding is the most reliable way to pass ASPEQ, because the exam rewords questions to catch anyone relying on rote memory.
More importantly, it is what keeps you safe and capable once you are actually in the air. Every course is built around the NZ CAA syllabus and grounded in real New Zealand conditions.
Understand, then pass
Why over what.
Built for NZ flying
Local, not generic.
Learn by doing
Interactive, not static.
Our values
A few principles guide how we build Pilot Prep and how we treat the students who trust us with their training.
Understanding over memorising
We teach the why behind every answer. It is the most reliable way to pass ASPEQ and the only way to stay safe in the air.
Built for New Zealand
Grounded in NZ conditions and the NZ CAA syllabus, not generic overseas material.
Accuracy matters
Aviation punishes sloppy information. We hold our content to a high standard and keep it current.
Learn by doing
Interactive lessons, real scenarios and explained quizzes beat slides and textbooks.
Support when you need it
Between our AI assistant, lesson discussions and our team, help is there when you get stuck.
Honest with our students
We are straight about what our courses do. No inflated claims, just a tool we are proud of.
The team
Bailey Nepe
Co-founder · Product & Engineering
Bailey started flying at 13 with the Waikato Aero Club, soloed at 16 and earned his licence at 17. He went on to work as a B-category flight instructor, teaching everyone from ab initio students through to advanced students earning their multi-engine instrument ratings (MEIR), and served as a Deputy CFI, before being hired by Cathay Pacific. When COVID grounded that start he retrained as a software engineer. Today he builds the platform and writes course content, combining both worlds to create the theory training he wishes he had as a student.
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Ravindu Pathirana
Co-founder · Growth & Strategy
Ravindu trained as a pilot too, earning a Bachelor of Aviation (Air Transport Pilot) from Massey University and a flight instructor rating, so he has been through the exact training Pilot Prep is built to improve. He writes a large share of the course content, drawing on that experience, and brings a career in technology and product to the rest of the platform. He leads growth and strategy across Australia and New Zealand, talking with flight schools and student pilots directly so what they tell us shapes what we build next.
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