What's new

Part 157 determination

• Heliport Proposal, Totally Tourism Ltd, Fox Heliport - conditional determination

Part 77 determinations

• Frost fans at 27 Godfrey Road, Blenheim, Tauranga - hazard determined
• Crane at 12 Packers Road, Studholme - no hazard
• Met mast at 900 Scotts Road, Linton - hazard determined

Airworthiness Directive Schedule Amendment Nr 24-12 - effective 19 December 2024

New GAP booklet revision: Survival

The Survival Good Aviation Practice (GAP) booklet has been thoroughly updated. If something goes wrong during a flight, and you need to make a forced landing in a remote location, it’s vital to be well-prepared to survive until you’re found. This booklet gives you advice on survival priorities, tips for surviving in New Zealand’s different environments, and suggestions for what you should pack in a survival kit.

Download a digital copy [PDF 8.4 MB] or

Request a free printed copy using our online order form

Media release: Don't let your Christmas drone cause trouble in the sky

Vector Online: Defect reporting - a vital part of the safety system

Pending rules under the 2023 Act

The Minister of Transport has remade the Civil Aviation Rules under the Civil Aviation Act 2023 and made the Assorted Issues rules. These will come into effect from 5 April 2025.

Media release: Safe and secure travels this holiday season

2024 airspace reviews

NZL369 Waikawa Beach, Kapiti Coast - Withdrawn [PDF 131 KB]

AC102-1 - Unmanned Aircraft - Operator Certification

This AC has been revised for the first time since it was issued in 2015.

Revision 1 is a comprehensive revision which, among other changes:

• removes the FAQ section and out-of-date transition provisions (rule 102.27)
• focuses on the intent of the rule – for operators to assess and manage aviation safety risks in their operation, and

• adds three appendices:
  • Appendix I – Guide to ISO: 31000 – Risk Management
  • Appendix II - Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA), and
  • Appendix III – Examples of sets of exposition documents

During the consultation process, some participants provided very detailed feedback which has enhanced this new revision. CAA would like to thank the participants who took the time to go through the draft and add constructive comments.

Operational policy published: Regulatory Decisions

We’ve published our operational policy for regulatory decisions, which guides guides us in making good regulatory decisions in performing our regulatory role, and in using our regulatory tools.

Regulatory decisions - Operational policy [PDF 698 KB]

Transport Canada AD CF-2024-42 Bell 427 Helicopters Transmission Oil Check Valve - Inspection [PDF 183 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness directives: Transport Canada

Vector Online: It’s that time of year again folks…

Latest issue of Vector

Vector Magazine: The summer issue 2024 is now available.

Minutes - joint ACAG / CAA meeting June 2024 [PDF 262 KB]

EASA AD 2024-0236 TAE 125-02-125 Engine Coolant Contamination – Inspection [PDF 207 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories: EASA

Part 77 determinations

• Crane at 11 York Street, Parnell, Auckland - hazard determined
• Cranes at the Corner of Browning Street and Campbell Road, Tokoroa - no hazard determined

New drone question: Can I fly my drone over conservation land?

Vector Online: The dangers of December

EASA EMERGENCY AD 2024-0237-E MBB-BK117 helicopters Tail Rotor Actuator – Inspection [PDF 199 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Part 77 proposals

• Building at 90 Devonport Rd, Tauranga
  Submissions close 31 January 2024
• Rig Mast at 674 Rimutauteka Rd, Inglewood
  Submissions close 31 December 2024

AC133-1, Revision 0, Helicopter External Load Operations – extension on deadline for consultation

Comments close 16 January 2025

Vector Online: The new Act

Aircraft register - updated [ZIP 150 KB]

Advisory Circulars monthly report - November 2024 [PDF 239 KB]

CAA Briefing | November 2024(external link)

Vector Online: Laser strikes – report them!

Airworthiness Directive Schedule Amendment Nr 24-11 - effective 28 November 2024

Vector Online: Summer traffic busy spots 2024-25

AC119-1 - Air Operator Certification

This Advisory Cicrular has been updated for the first time in 10 years. Revision 8 is a substantive update which deletes outdated sections and updates sections throughout. Among other things, it:

• updates sections on personnel requirements and renewal of certificates
• updates the section on rule 119.79, Safety management, to reflect the change from quality management to a safety management system (SMS)
• adds a note about Drug and Alcohol Management Plans (DAMPs), which will be introduced when the Civil Aviation Act (2023) comes into force in April 2025
• cuts duplication in Subpart C, General Aviation Air Operator – Certification Requirements, and deletes Appendix D, Example programme
• corrects some outdated rule references, and
• updates the style and format to align with other ACs and adds a Version History.

Part 77 proposals

• Crane at 2 Titoki Street, Parnell, Auckland
• Crane at 25 Balfour Street, Parnell, Auckland
• Crane height change at Christchurch Stadium, 221 Madras Street

Submissions for all close 24 December 2024

New Zealand aircraft type certificates updated

Updates to:

Regulatory policy

Rule projects in progress

CA Act implementation: Criteria for granting exemptions

Vector Online: 'It’ll never happen here'

CAA Annual Report 2023-24 [PDF 4.1 MB]

Part 77 proposals

• Crane at 1 The Cutting Way, Palmerston North
  Submissions close 24 December 2024
• Crane at Goulding Avenue, Hornby, Christchurch
  Submissions close 24 December 2024

Updated LAME rating designations [PDF 486 KB]

Safety section has a new structure and design

New online web forms: Enhancing safety through improved reporting

Report an occurrence(external link)

Report an aviation related concern(external link)

Aircraft register - updated

Vector Online: Getting the best from ADS-B

We've updated two Advisory Circulars, in response to industry feedback.

AC00-1 - Acceptability of Parts

AC43-3 - Parts Documentation - CAA Form Two - New Zealand Domestic Part Label

We also have marked-up versions, so participants can easily see changes.

AC00-1 marked-up [PDF 477 KB]

AC43-3 marked-up [PDF 381 KB]

3 new dog detectives added

Aircraft register - updated

Vector Online: What the hell is ‘anxiety’?

If you missed the recent Circuit Certainty seminars, you can watch the recording of the online session here:

Circuit Certainty - Online seminar(external link)

Vector Online: Emotions are contagious. Stay calm.

FAA SAIB 2024-05 - Robinson R44 and R44 II helicopters - Engine/Transmission Coupling, Gearmotor Assembly

Aircraft register - updated

Bird incident rate report 2024 Q3 [PDF 1.1 MB]

Part 77 determination

• Wind farm at 379 Maitahi Road, Mamaranui - hazard determined

Circuit Certainty GAP videos

Part 77 proposal

• Met Mast at 900 Scotts Road, Linton, Palmerston North
  Submissions close 5 December 2024

New revision of Night VFR GAP booklet now available

The Night VFR Good Aviation Practice (GAP) booklet has been updated. Flying at night presents pilots with a new set of threats and challenges compared with flying during the day. It’s essential to seek training with a flight instructor specifically for night flying. As an aid to your training and revision, this booklet looks briefly at some underlying principles and practices, including illusions, planning considerations, and handling emergencies.

Download a copy [PDF 2.1 MB] or request a printed copy using our online form.

CAA teams win special recognition award

Vector Online: I learned about near misses from this

AC061-03- Rev 30 Pilot licences and ratings - Private pilot licence

We've made a minor correction to this AC. On 5 November 2024, the last item in Subject No. 6 Air Navigation Subtopic 6.4.6 “relative bearing using the clock method” was amended to be included in the numbering sequence, as item (q), since it had been inadvertently left off the list. We've also added a note in the Version History to explain this. CAA would like to thank the participant who brought this to our attention.

Basic Turbine Knowledge added to the pilot syllabus assistance archive

Aircraft register - updated

AC61-10 - Pilot licences and ratings - Type ratings

This Advisory Circular has been updated. Revision 14 makes changes to the Basic Turbine Knowledge (BTK) syllabi for pilots. We have separated the BTK pilot syllabus into two separate syllabi for Aeroplane and Helicopter respectively. The existing syllabus for Subject 64 has been amended to focus on Aeroplane and a completely new syllabus for Helicopter Subject 65 has been produced. We have also updated information on applying online and made minor corrections.

A marked-up version with the deletions in strikethrough and the insertions in yellow highlight is available here to check the changes quickly:

AC61-10, Revision 14, marked-up version [PDF 592 KB]

AC91-22, Revision 3, Aircraft Refuelling and Defuelling — Fire Prevention and Safety Guidance Measures

This Advisory Circular has been updated. Revision 3 is not a substantive update to this AC. It fixes typos, standardises spelling and makes other stylistic changes to align with current AC format. It also updates some references and deletes a reference to the Hazardous Substances (Classes 1 to 5 Controls) Regulations, 2001, which have been revoked.

A marked-up version with the deletions in strikethrough and the insertions in yellow highlight is available here to check the changes quickly:

AC91-22, Revision 3, marked-up version [PDF 517 KB]

Advisory Circulars monthly report - October 2024 [PDF 239 KB]

Airworthiness Directive Schedule Amendment Nr 24-10 - effective 31 October 2024

Part 77 proposal

• Crane at 57 Pitau Road, Mount Maunganui
  Submissions close 27 November 2024

Part 77 determination

• Mobile crane at Auckland Airport - hazard

FAA SAIB 2024-05 R44 and R44 II helicopters - Engine/Transmission Coupling, Gearmotor Assembly

For Part 99 Drug and Alcohol Management Plans:

DAMP compliance matrix [DOCX 172 KB]

Vector Online | Fatigue: a saboteur of good decisions

Advisory Circular AC133-1 open for consultation

AC133-1, Revision 0, Helicopter External Load Operations

This is a new AC, relating  to Part 133, Subparts B, Operating rules and related requirements, F, Instruments and Equipment, and G, Maintenance. It outlines CAA’s expectations of operators who are carrying out external load operations conducted under Civil Aviation Rule Part 133, Helicopter External Load Operations.

Comments close Tuesday 24 December 2024.

Airspace user consultation: 2024 Review of designated airspace

Consultation closes 29 November 2024

Aircraft register - updated

EASA Emergency AD 2024-0202-E Arrius 2F Engines Fuel Control Unit - Replacement [PDF 199 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Vector Online: Weather tragedies affect air traffic controllers too

Part 77 determinations

• Tower Crane at 107 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch - hazard
• Crane booms at 76 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead, Auckland - hazard
• Queenstown Lakes District Council - hazard
• Crane at Lower Queen Street, Richmond, Tasman - no hazard
• Crane booms at 484 Johns Road, Harewood, Christchurch - hazard

Proposed Ashburton Common Frequency Zone | Summary of Submissions Received, and Final AIP Changes [PDF 942 KB]

2022 airspace reviews

Aircraft register - updated

FAA SAFO 24007 - Shipments of Batteries/Battery-Powered Devices and Flammable Materials [PDF 183 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories: FAA

New brochure: Flying your drone safely [PDF 8.4 MB]

Check out updated content in our Drones section.

Draft Advisory Circular open for consultation

AC119-1, Revision 8, Air Operator Certification

This AC has been revised for the first time since 2014. Revision 8 is a substantive update which deletes outdated sections and updates sections throughout. It also updates the style and format to align with other ACs and adds a Version History.

As with other ACs,  proposed insertions are in yellow highlight and proposed deletions in strikethrough.

Comments close Monday 18 November 2024.

Part 109 Regulated air cargo agents list (v.163)

Vector Online: Survival skills for pilots

CASA AWB 53-012 Issue 1 - Retrofit of Symmetrical Horizontal Stabilizers to Robinson Helicopters(external link)

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories: CASA

Aircraft register - updated

Transport Canada (TC) Feedback is available on the CAA website at:

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories: Transport Canada

Part 77 proposal

• Crane at Fonterra, 12 Packers Road, Studholme
  Submissions close 6 November 2024

Vector Online: Latching on to great safety

CA Act 2023: Certification and licensing transition arrangements

New GAP booklet revision: In, out, and around Queenstown [PDF 7.5 MB]

Flying in and out of this popular area presents some unique challenges: mountainous terrain, complex and busy airspace, ‘character-building’ weather, and many different types of operations. This booklet contains advice on planning your flight around this remarkable area.

Good Aviation Practice Booklets

Aircraft register - updated

Amendment to AC-002, Revision 2, Storage and distribution of aeronautical supplies - open for consultation

On 30 September 2024, we advised that a new revision of this AC was open for consultation.

Following feedback from a participant, we have added the marked-up version of this AC, so participants can easily see changes.

As with other ACs, proposed insertions are in yellow highlight and proposed deletions in strikethrough.

Comments close Monday 28 October 2024.

Airspace user consultation: Proposed change NZD926, NZD927 and NZD928 to be designated as Military Operating Areas

Consultation closes 1 November 2024

Part 77 determination

• Wind farm at 20 Makomako Road, Pahiatua - hazard