Civil Aviation Rules (CARs) - General Operating Rules
Part 91 contains the general operating rules that apply to all New Zealand aircraft operations unless a more specific Part applies, such as Parts 121, 125 or 135 for air transport, Part 115 for adventure aviation, Part 133 for helicopters and Part 137 for agricultural aircraft. The exam tests pilot-in-command responsibility, fuel, VFR/IFR, documents, equipment, maintenance and passenger safety.
Core rules
- The pilot in command has final authority for the aircraft and must not fly if unfit through alcohol, drugs, illness or fatigue.
- Fuel: for day VFR, enough to reach the destination plus 30 minutes at normal cruise; for night VFR or IFR, 45 minutes.
- VFR minima: 5 km flight visibility, 1500 m horizontally and 1000 ft vertically from cloud. Special VFR requires an ATC clearance.
- Documents: certificate of registration, airworthiness certificate, flight manual, current maintenance release, pilot licence and medical certificate.
- Minimum safe altitude: 1000 ft above the highest obstacle within 600 m over a congested area; 500 ft elsewhere; take-off and landing are exceptions.
- Passenger briefing, seat belts and dangerous goods rules apply.
Worked example
A CPL plans a day VFR flight of 2 h 10 min. At normal cruise the aircraft burns 40 L/h. Destination fuel is 40 × 2.167 = 86.7 L; the 30-minute reserve is 20 L; total 106.7 L. At night the reserve would be 45 minutes (30 L), total 116.7 L.
Traps
- Applying Part 91 to an airline operation where Part 121 applies.
- Using a 30-minute reserve at night or under IFR.
- Thinking 'clear of cloud' alone satisfies VFR; distance from cloud is also required.
- Forgetting that a maintenance release, not just a C of A, must be current.