CAA NZ ATPL Air Law flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Chicago Convention Article 1

Each State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory, which is the foundation of all bilateral air service agreements and route permissions.

ICAO Standard vs Recommended Practice

A Standard is a specification whose uniform application is necessary for safety and is binding on States; a Recommended Practice is desirable but not mandatory.

Article 33 recognition

Contracting States must recognise certificates of airworthiness and licences issued by other States, provided the issuing State's requirements equal or exceed the ICAO minimum Standards.

Annex 13 notification

The State of Occurrence must institute an inquiry into an accident and notify the State of Registry, State of Operator, State of Design and State of Manufacture, which may appoint accredited representatives.

Director of Civil Aviation role

The Director is the statutory decision-maker under the Civil Aviation Act 1990, issuing aviation documents and exercising suspension, revocation and enforcement powers independently of the Minister's policy role.

Ordinary vs emergency rules

Ordinary rules are made under section 29 after consultation; emergency rules under section 30 may be made without consultation and remain in force for a limited period before they lapse.

Part 91 applicability

Part 91 applies to all aircraft operating in New Zealand airspace except those operating under Parts 121, 125, 129 or 135, which impose additional requirements.

ATPL(A) total time minimum

The ATPL(A) requires at least 1,500 hours total flight time as a pilot, including specified cross-country, night and instrument components, before the licence may be issued.

Class 1 medical validity

A Class 1 medical certificate must be current for the licence to be valid; validity periods shorten with age and the certificate may carry limitations such as corrective lenses.

Instrument rating recency

IFR privileges require recent instrument experience within the preceding period, and if recency is not maintained a proficiency check or renewal is required before IFR flight.

Type rating requirement

A type rating is required for aircraft types specified by the Director and is endorsed on the licence; it is type-specific and may require difference training for variants.

Certificate of airworthiness

Issued under Part 21 when the aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation; it remains valid only while maintenance and airworthiness directives are complied with.

NZ registration marks

New Zealand registered aircraft carry the nationality mark ZK followed by a registration mark, and change of ownership or cancellation must be notified to the Director.

Transponder and Mode C

An SSR transponder with altitude reporting is required in transponder mandatory airspace and for IFR operations, and the pilot must select the assigned code and Mode C.

Maintenance release

A certification made by an appropriately rated person or organisation after maintenance confirming the aircraft is airworthy and ready for the intended flight.

Final reserve fuel

Fuel that must remain at the destination or alternate, typically 30 minutes holding for IFR or 45 minutes for turbine aircraft under instrument conditions, and is not available for normal planning.

Pilot in command authority

The PIC has final authority over the aircraft and may deviate from rules or clearances in an emergency, but must report the deviation and the circumstances as soon as practicable.

Duty and flight time limits

Operators must publish maximum duty and flight time limits and minimum rest in their exposition, and pilots must not accept a duty that exceeds those limits.

Documents carried on international flight

Registration certificate, certificate of airworthiness, crew licences, journey log, radio licence, passenger list and cargo manifest must be carried on international navigation.

Right of way converging

When two aircraft of the same category converge, the aircraft on the right has right of way; head-on both turn right, and the overtaking aircraft keeps clear.

Semicircular cruising levels

IFR tracks 000-179 degrees use odd thousands of feet; 180-359 use even thousands. VFR uses the same system with 500 ft added.

Emergency squawk codes

7500 indicates unlawful interference, 7600 radio failure, and 7700 a general emergency; the pilot selects the code and advises ATC as soon as possible.

Clearance readback

Runway, altitude, heading and frequency instructions must be read back; a pilot must not deviate from a clearance except in an emergency or when instructed by ATC.

Class C airspace

Controlled airspace in which IFR and VFR flights are separated by ATC, and all flights require an ATC clearance and continuous two-way radio communication.

Aerodrome operating minima

The lowest decision altitude or height and RVR or visibility at which an approach and landing may be conducted, determined by approach type, aircraft equipment and crew qualification.

Declared distances

TORA, TODA, ASDA and LDA define the available take-off run, take-off distance, accelerate-stop distance and landing distance for performance calculations.

TAIC role

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission independently investigates accidents and serious incidents and issues safety recommendations; it does not assign blame or liability.

Accident notification duty

The operator and pilot in command must notify the CAA and TAIC as soon as practicable, and must preserve the site and evidence except to rescue persons or prevent further damage.

Director enforcement powers

The Director may inspect, audit, suspend, revoke or vary aviation documents, issue infringement notices and prosecute offences under the Civil Aviation Act 1990.

Dangerous goods pilot notification

The pilot in command must be informed of dangerous goods on board, including proper shipping name, class, quantity and location, before the flight departs.

Unlawful interference response

Select squawk 7500, follow operator and ATC procedures, and treat the aircraft as an emergency; the pilot in command retains authority over the aircraft.

Overdue aircraft and RCCNZ

If an aircraft fails to arrive within the notified time, the operator must alert the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand, which coordinates the search and rescue response.