Pilot licensing and training requirements
This domain tests the licence ladder, ratings and type ratings, recency, medical standards and logbook evidence.
Licences and ratings
New Zealand uses student, recreational, private, commercial and airline transport pilot licences, with a flight instructor rating as a rating on a pilot licence. Minimum ages are 16 for solo/student, 17 for PPL, 18 for CPL and 21 for ATPL. Medical standards apply: Class 2 for PPL/RPL and Class 1 for CPL/ATPL privileges. Type ratings are required for aircraft specified by the Director - typically larger or turbojet aircraft - while class ratings cover categories such as single-engine land. Instrument and night privileges require specific training and assessment.
Recency
Passenger-carrying recency is generally three take-offs and three landings in the preceding 90 days in the same type. Night recency requires night take-offs and landings. Instrument recency requires recent instrument time and approaches. Total hours do not satisfy recency.
Logbooks
Log all flight time: dual, solo, PIC, night, instrument, and type. Instructors sign dual and solo authorisations. The logbook is evidence for licence applications and recency; inaccurate entries can invalidate an application.
Worked example
A PPL holder has 300 hours but has not flown for 120 days and wants to take a friend. Reasoning: the 90-day passenger recency is not met. The pilot needs three take-offs and landings in the same type (and night recency if at night) before carrying the passenger.
Traps
Confusing type and class ratings; assuming a current medical proves recency; using total hours instead of 90-day currency; missing instructor signatures.