CAA NZ CPL Air Law key terms

The primary New Zealand statute establishing the Civil Aviation Authority, the Minister's powers, and the legal basis for making Civil Aviation Rules. It sets out offences, enforcement powers, and safety obligations applying to pilots and operators.

The New Zealand Crown entity responsible for aviation safety oversight, including rule-making advice, licensing, certification, and safety promotion. It administers the Civil Aviation Act and investigates regulatory breaches.

The subordinate legislation made under the Civil Aviation Act, numbered by Part (for example Part 91, Part 61, Part 121). Each Part prescribes binding requirements for operations, licensing, airworthiness, or airspace use.

Non-binding guidance published by the CAA explaining an acceptable means of complying with a Civil Aviation Rule. Following an AC is one way to show compliance but is not itself a legal requirement.

The Civil Aviation Rule Part containing general operating and flight rules that apply to most aircraft operations in New Zealand unless a more specific Part overrides them. It covers pre-flight, in-flight, and emergency requirements.

The Civil Aviation Rule Part governing pilot licences and ratings, including eligibility, experience, flight-test, and currency requirements for CPL, PPL, and associated ratings such as instrument and instructor ratings.

The Civil Aviation Rule Part for air operations by large aeroplanes (above a specified passenger or weight threshold) in regular air transport. It imposes stricter crew, training, and operational control requirements than Part 91.

A certificate issued by the CAA authorising an operator to conduct specified air operations, subject to the operator's exposition, training, and safety-management arrangements meeting the relevant Civil Aviation Rule Part.

A documented set of procedures, policies, and instructions describing how an operator or certificate holder conducts its activities in compliance with its Civil Aviation Rule Part. It forms the basis of CAA certification and ongoing oversight.

A pilot licence permitting the holder to act as pilot in command of aircraft in commercial operations and to receive remuneration, subject to the privileges, ratings, and currency requirements set out in Part 61.

A document issued by a CAA-approved medical examiner confirming the holder meets the health standards for the licence or rating held. Its class and validity period depend on the privileges being exercised.

The requirement that a pilot has completed specified recent experience, such as take-offs, landings, or instrument approaches within a defined period, before exercising particular privileges. Lapse may require a check flight.

An authorisation added to a pilot licence permitting specified additional privileges, such as an aircraft type rating, instrument rating, or instructor rating. Each rating has its own eligibility and renewal requirements.

A certificate confirming that an aircraft conforms to an approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation. It remains valid only while maintenance and airworthiness requirements continue to be met.

A mandatory instruction issued to correct an unsafe condition on aircraft of a particular type. Compliance is required within the stated timeframe for the aircraft to remain airworthy.

The system and personnel responsible for planning, recording, and certifying maintenance so that an aircraft remains airworthy. It tracks scheduled inspections, defects, and directives, and releases aircraft to service after maintenance.

A record in which a pilot or aircraft owner records flight time, maintenance, and defects as required. It provides evidence of experience for licence purposes and of airworthiness compliance for the aircraft.

Airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided and in which some or all aircraft require an ATC clearance. It is classified into classes A to E with differing rules and requirements.

Airspace designated for activities that restrict or prohibit other traffic, such as military operating areas, restricted areas, or danger areas. Pilots must check status and comply with any access conditions before entering.

Airspace in which pilots must make specified position and intention radio broadcasts on the designated frequency, whether or not a control service is provided. It improves traffic awareness in areas of higher activity.

An authorisation from air traffic control for an aircraft to proceed under specified conditions. It does not relieve the pilot in command of responsibility for terrain clearance, wake turbulence separation, or safe operation.

The pilot's repetition of safety-related elements of an ATC clearance, such as altitude, heading, frequency, and route, to confirm correct understanding. It is required for clearances and amended instructions.

A four-digit code set in the aircraft transponder to identify the aircraft on secondary surveillance radar. Codes may be assigned by ATC or selected from prescribed special-purpose codes.

A designated radio frequency used for position broadcasts and traffic coordination at aerodromes without a control tower. Pilots use it to announce intentions and build situational awareness with other traffic.

The prescribed pattern of flight around an aerodrome used for arrivals and departures, with specified legs and turn directions. Pilots must conform to the published circuit direction and report positions as required.

The rules determining which aircraft has priority when converging, such as the lower aircraft giving way and aircraft on the right having priority. Aircraft in distress and landing aircraft have special priority.

The pilot's duty to maintain a vigilant lookout and take action to avoid other aircraft, regardless of any clearance or traffic information received. It includes using see-and-avoid techniques and onboard traffic alerts.

Visual flight rules, under which the pilot navigates and maintains separation from obstacles and traffic primarily by visual reference, subject to specified weather minima and cloud-clearance requirements.

Instrument flight rules, under which flight is conducted by reference to instruments and navigation aids, with separation provided by ATC in controlled airspace. It requires an instrument rating and an IFR clearance.

A rating permitting a pilot to fly under IFR, including in instrument meteorological conditions, subject to specified experience, training, and recency requirements. It is added to a licence under Part 61.

An authorisation allowing a VFR flight to operate within a control zone when the weather is below normal VFR minima, subject to ATC clearance and specified conditions such as clear of cloud and in sight of ground.

A document or message giving specified information about an intended flight, used for ATC coordination, search and rescue alerting, and border purposes. It must be submitted, amended, or cancelled as required.

The time by which a search and rescue authority begins action if an aircraft has not reported arrival or position as expected. It is derived from the flight plan and reported position updates.

An occurrence, other than an accident, that affects or could affect the safety of aircraft operation. It must be notified to the CAA and may be reported through the safety reporting system.

An occurrence in which a person is fatally or seriously injured, or an aircraft sustains substantial damage, in connection with aircraft operation. It triggers mandatory notification and investigation requirements.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission, which independently investigates accidents and serious incidents to determine causes and make safety recommendations. It does not apportion blame or determine liability.

A written report of an accident, incident, or safety-related event submitted to the CAA within the required timeframe. It supports safety analysis and may be required in addition to immediate notification.

A structured framework of policies, risk management, assurance, and safety promotion that an organisation uses to manage safety proactively. Its scope and requirements depend on the applicable Civil Aviation Rule Part.

The pilot responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft during flight time, with final authority over decisions affecting the flight. This responsibility cannot be delegated to ATC or other parties.