CAA NZ Flight Instructor Theory - Instructor Air Law key terms

The primary New Zealand statute that establishes the CAA, sets out the Director's safety and security functions, and provides for the making of civil aviation rules and the exercise of enforcement powers.

The subordinate legislation made under the Civil Aviation Act, organised into numbered Parts (such as Parts 1, 61, 91, 121, 141), that set out operating, licensing, airworthiness and personnel requirements binding on aviation participants.

The statutory officer who heads the Civil Aviation Authority, issues aviation documents such as licences and certificates, and may suspend, revoke or impose conditions on them for safety reasons.

Non-mandatory CAA publication that explains how a rule may be complied with, often describing an acceptable means of compliance; following it is one way, but not the only way, to meet the rule.

A method, standard or practice published or accepted by the CAA that demonstrates compliance with a rule; a participant may use an alternative method but must be able to show it achieves an equivalent level of safety.

Any licence, certificate, rating, endorsement, permit or authorisation issued under the Civil Aviation Rules, including pilot licences, instructor ratings, air operator certificates and certificates of airworthiness.

The highest flight instructor grade in New Zealand, permitting the holder to train and certify applicants for instructor ratings and to exercise the broadest instructional privileges without the supervision required of lower grades.

An instructor grade allowing the holder to conduct flight training and to certify competence for licences and ratings within specified limits, but not to train or recommend instructor rating applicants unless further authorised.

An endorsement on a pilot licence that authorises the holder to give flight instruction, issued in grades with differing privileges and subject to currency, recency and supervision requirements set by the rules.

The specific instructional activities an instructor may lawfully perform, including teaching, authorising solo flight, conducting tests and certifying student competence, all bounded by the grade held and any conditions on the rating.

The instructor's written or recorded approval permitting a student to fly solo, given only after confirming the student's competence, medical fitness, knowledge of the route and aircraft, and the suitability of weather and aircraft.

A licence issued to a person undergoing flight training that permits solo flight under the supervision and authorisation of an instructor, subject to medical, age and knowledge requirements.

A licence allowing the holder to fly aircraft carrying passengers without remuneration or hire, subject to the privileges, ratings, recency and medical standards prescribed in Part 61.

A licence authorising the holder to act as pilot in command of aircraft for hire or reward, requiring higher experience, knowledge and medical standards than a private pilot licence.

An authorisation endorsed on a licence permitting the holder to operate a specified aircraft type, typically required for aircraft certificated for two or more pilots or for complex types specified in the rules.

The requirement that a pilot has performed specified recent take-offs, landings or instrument approaches within a defined period, or completed a competency check, before exercising particular privileges.

The higher-standard aviation medical certificate required for commercial operations and professional pilot privileges, involving more frequent and detailed examinations than the class 2 standard.

The aviation medical certificate generally required for private pilot and student pilot privileges, confirming the holder meets the medical standards set for the safe exercise of those privileges.

The record in which a pilot enters flights, dual and solo time, instrument time and other prescribed details, used to demonstrate experience, recency and currency and which must be retained as required.

The pilot in command's duty before flight to study available information on weather, fuel, aerodrome conditions, airspace and aircraft serviceability, and to satisfy themselves the flight can be conducted safely.

The rule that an aircraft must carry enough fuel and reserve to complete the planned flight plus diversion and holding allowances, with the pilot ensuring reserves remain intact in flight.

The lowest height at which a flight may be conducted over populated areas, congested areas or persons and property, with higher margins required for low flying and during take-off and landing.

The minimum visibility and distance-from-cloud requirements that must be maintained for flight under visual flight rules, which vary with airspace class and altitude.

An authorisation allowing flight within a control zone in weather below VFR minima, granted by ATC on request and subject to specified visibility, cloud clearance and pilot qualification conditions.

An authorisation from air traffic control that must be obtained before entering controlled airspace, and which the pilot must comply with or request amendment to if conditions change.

The system of lettered airspace classes (A through G) that defines whether ATC clearance is required, the services provided, and the VFR meteorological minima that apply within each volume of airspace.

A designated volume of airspace in which pilots must make prescribed position and intention broadcasts on the specified frequency, regardless of whether a clearance is required.

The prescribed pattern of turns flown by aircraft around an aerodrome for landing, with direction, altitude and joining procedures specified to keep traffic orderly and separated.

The rule that aircraft operating in specified airspace must carry and operate a serviceable Mode A/C or Mode S transponder, with altitude reporting enabled where required.

The document certifying that an aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation, issued or validated under the airworthiness rules and kept valid by maintenance.

The approved schedule of inspections, servicing and component overhauls that an operator or owner must follow to keep an aircraft airworthy, with defined intervals and authorised personnel.

The obligation to record and, where required, notify the CAA or the manufacturer of defects, failures or malfunctions that affect or could affect the safe operation of an aircraft.

The calculation confirming that an aircraft's weight and centre of gravity lie within approved limits for the planned flight, accounting for crew, passengers, baggage, fuel and payload distribution.

The duty on operators and pilots to notify the CAA of accidents, serious incidents and other prescribed occurrences within specified timeframes, separate from any TAIC reporting obligation.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission, an independent body that investigates accidents and incidents to determine causes and improve safety, without apportioning blame or determining liability.

An occurrence associated with aircraft operation in which a person is fatally or seriously injured, or the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure affecting performance, as defined in the rules.

An occurrence, other than an accident, associated with aircraft operation that affects or could affect the safety of operations, distinguished from an accident by the absence of serious injury or substantial damage.

Information gathered in a safety investigation that is protected from disclosure or use in proceedings, encouraging honest reporting while balancing the interests of justice.

Articles or substances capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property or the environment, which may only be carried by air when packaged, marked, documented and handled according to the technical instructions.

The process of examining passengers, crew, baggage and cargo for prohibited or restricted articles before boarding or loading, conducted under aviation security rules and airport security plans.

The rules and practices limiting flight duty periods and requiring adequate rest so that crew are fit to perform, with the instructor also responsible for not training a fatigued student.

The prescribed maximum blood alcohol level and prohibition on flying with impairing drugs, together with the duty to refuse duty when impaired and to report relevant safety concerns.

The pilot's own assessment, and the instructor's responsibility to assess a student, that physical and mental condition, medication, stress and fatigue allow the flight to be conducted safely.