Charts, publications and airspace
Charts, publications and airspace
This domain tests whether you can find the rule and read the chart before you enter the airspace.
Publications. AIP New Zealand contains GEN (rules, units, charges), ENR (enroute, airspace, navaids) and AD (aerodromes). Changes come as AIP Supplements or NOTAMs; a NOTAM is the operative short-notice change. VNC and VTC are the visual charts; IFR enroute high/low and DAP terminal charts support instrument flight. The NZGB provides geographic names.
Airspace. NZ uses Classes A, C, D, E and G. Class A is IFR only, generally above FL245. Classes C and D require an ATC clearance; Class E requires a clearance for IFR and radio for VFR; Class G is uncontrolled. Control zones and control areas are charted with vertical limits. Special use airspace includes danger, restricted, military operating areas, low flying zones and mandatory broadcast zones (MBZ).
Transition. In NZ the transition altitude is 13,000 ft AMSL and the transition level is FL150; set 1013.2 hPa above the transition level.
Worked example. A VNC shows an aerodrome in a Class D control zone from SFC to 2,500 ft, with an MBZ 10 NM around a nearby unattended aerodrome. Departing VFR, you need an ATC clearance to enter the CTR, and in the MBZ you must make the standard position broadcasts on the MBZ frequency even though no clearance is issued.
Traps. Reading a control zone's upper limit as a flight level instead of feet AMSL; confusing an MBZ with controlled airspace; and using an expired chart or AIP supplement.