CAA NZ ATPL Air Law study guide
CAA NZ ATPL Air Law · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Air Law paper is one of the knowledge examinations a pilot must pass to hold an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) under New Zealand's Civil Aviation Rules. It is aimed at commercial pilots progressing to the ATPL, and at licence holders who need to demonstrate current knowledge of the regulatory framework they operate under. The CAA NZ ATPL Air Law study guide has 10 sections and about 3,241 words.
01International law and the ICAO framework
The Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago, 1944) is the source of most international air law. Article 1 recognises that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory; Article 6 requires special permission for scheduled services; Article 7 prohibits cabotage; Article 12 obliges States to keep their rules of the air aligned with Annex 2; Article 33 requires recognition of certificates issued by other States, provided they were issued on standards at least equal to ICAO's.
347 words, about 2 min02The Civil Aviation Act 1990 and the Civil Aviation Rules
The Civil Aviation Act 1990 is the primary statute. The Minister of Transport sets policy and makes ordinary civil aviation rules under section 34; the Director of Civil Aviation, heading the Civil Aviation Authority (a Crown entity that also contains AvSec), administers the Act, issues certificates and can suspend or revoke them.
374 words, about 2 min03Personnel licensing, ratings and medical certification
Part 61 issues pilot licences - PPL, CPL, ATPL, and for helicopters and balloons separately - plus ratings: type ratings, instrument ratings, instructor ratings and category ratings. An ATPL requires the applicant to be at least 21, hold or meet the requirements for a CPL, complete the ATPL examinations and flight test, and hold a current Class 1 medical certificate under Part 67.
357 words, about 2 min04Airworthiness, maintenance and aircraft registration
Airworthiness in NZ is a chain: Part 21 for design, manufacture and issue of certificates; Part 47 for registration and markings; Part 43 for maintenance; Part 91 for equipment and continuing airworthiness. An aircraft on the NZ register carries the nationality mark ZK- and a registration mark.
342 words, about 2 min05Flight operations, crew duty and documents
Part 91 is the default for all aircraft. Commercial air transport needs an air operator certificate under Part 119 and then Part 121 (large aeroplanes), Part 125 (medium aeroplanes) or Part 135 (helicopters and small aeroplanes).
339 words, about 2 min06Air traffic rules, right of way and clearances
The rules follow Annex 2: converging aircraft - the one with the other on its right gives way; head-on - both turn right; overtaking - the overtaken aircraft has right of way; landing aircraft have priority over aircraft on the ground, and a lower aircraft has priority over a higher one on final approach. An aircraft in distress has priority over all others.
302 words, about 2 min07Aerodromes, airspace classification and ATS
NZ uses Classes A, C, D, E and G. Class A is IFR only, all aircraft separated.
318 words, about 2 min08Notification, investigation and enforcement
Part 12 implements Annex 13. An accident - death or serious injury, substantial damage, or aircraft missing - must be notified to the TAIC and the CAA immediately.
300 words, about 2 min09Dangerous goods, security and environmental requirements
Part 92 adopts the ICAO Technical Instructions. The shipper classifies, packs, marks, labels and documents the goods; the operator must accept only compliant consignments, train staff, provide the pilot with the NOTOC, and ensure loading and segregation.
287 words, about 1 min10Meteorology, SAR, customs and border procedures
The MetService is NZ's meteorological authority. Pilots use METAR/SPECI, TAF, area forecasts, SIGMET and AIRMET.
275 words, about 1 min