Have you seen Aviation Security’s Explosive Detector Dog teams on TV’s Dog Squad and thought that’s your dream job? For the first time in many years we are recruiting external applicants for our dog handler roles. If you love the thought of having a four-legged teammate and enjoy working in a busy environment, then this could be the job you’ve been waiting for.
The Authority is introducing changes to our certification and re-certification processes, effective 1 April 2022. These are part of a wider review of our certification policy to ensure that it meets our intelligence-led and risk-based approach as described in our Regulatory Safety and Security Strategy.
The ‘insider threat’ is the potential for an employee to harm their own organisation – something the New Zealand aviation sector has not been immune to. In this Vector Online interview, we discuss the capacity of an employee at an airport whose behaviour threatens the security of aviation. We talk about what to look for, and what to do about what you see.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released its report into the cause of a fatal paramotor accident at Poerua River, West Coast on 12 November 2020.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released its report into the cause of a fatal accident at Kakatarahae Hill, Coromandel Range on 14 June 2019.
The Civil Aviation Authority has made good progress in addressing the recommendations of the Ministerial Review into organisational culture. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and the disruptions following the sudden departure from Asteron Centre, progress on embedding a positive culture has continued to be a priority.
Lookout is one of the most important skills – if not the most important skill – a VFR pilot can master, particularly in the circuit. It sounds deceptively simple but there’s a whole heap of skills that go into looking out effectively. Listen to four of the country’s most experienced instructors talk about how to do a good lookout, in this Vector Online audio article, “Why a good lookout is so critical”.
The Civil Aviation Authority’s mandate under the Civil Aviation Act 1990, is to regulate and ensure the safety and security of the aviation system. All aviation system participants are obliged to comply with civil aviation rules.
In October 2021 the CAA approached aerodrome operators, following up on our earlier request for updated traffic movement figures (rule 139.505 Reporting traffic volumes). We’ve received some questions about 139.505 and our request, so we’re outlining here why we want these figures and what we do with them.
Safety investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have made seven safety recommendations following an extensive investigation into a fatal accident that occurred in September 2019. The accident involved an Italian-designed single engine aircraft with two people on board. It crashed into the Tararua range, near Eketahuna in the lower North Island, claiming the lives of the occupants.
The CAA office will be closed from 2pm Friday 24 December 2021 until 8am Monday 10 January 2022. To contact the CAA for any urgent matters, call +64 4 560 9400
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is backing an assessment by New Plymouth Airport that air traffic control services are required to stay at the aerodrome.
We don’t want to be a Christmas Grinch but every year our Aviation Security Officers remove well-intended gifts and items from people’s luggage because the items aren’t safe to take on an aircraft.
Some interesting facts to celebrate International Civil Aviation Day – from a Kiwi perspective.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released the final report of its safety investigation into the cause of a fatal accident near Pukaki Aerodrome, on 25 July 2020.
CAA is closely monitoring the changes to the response to COVID-19 and the move into the Covid-19 Protection Framework (CPF), also known as the ‘traffic lights’ system.
As pilots climb back into the cockpit this summer, some of them won’t have flown for many months. If you suspect some of your flying skills may have been dulled by such a break, consider a dual flight with an instructor, before your summer flying takes off. Listen to this Vector Online article, ‘Currency and competency’ as to why a dual flight is so important. There’s information there for instructors and aero clubs as well as for pilots.
The Aviation Security Service (AvSec) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have been recognised for their ongoing work in support of the All of Government response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Police are issuing a stern warning about the dangers of pointing lasers at helicopters and other aircraft, including passenger planes.
Every year there’s a number of aircraft incidents where RCCNZ becomes involved some time after the accident, meaning a delay in launching search and rescue action. With the busy summer flying season nearly upon us, Senior Search and Rescue Officer Tracy Brickles encourages pilots and operators to notify the Rescue Coordination Centre no longer than 15 minutes after an aircraft is overdue.
Statement from the Director of CAA – TAIC final report on Diamond DA42 aeroplane, ZK-EAP Controlled flight into terrain Kaimanawa Range, near Taupo, 23 March 2019 (A0-2019-003)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has carefully considered the District Court judgment issued on 20 October in the matter of Graham Lindsay v the Director of Civil Aviation.
The Civil Aviation Authority is encouraging New Zealand’s aviation community and interested members of the public to have their say about the Civil Aviation Bill currently before Parliament.
Three teams of Aviation Security Officers from Auckland have been providing security assistance at Hamilton, Whangarei and Kerikeri airports following the Covid-19 alert level change to Level 3.
On Tuesday 5 October we were unable to receive external emails from 1200 – 1500 due to an issue with our email server as we were undertaking routine maintenance.
Radio calls are arguably second only to lookout in the critical basics of safe flying. Yet, complaints are widespread among pilots about the poor delivery of some of their fellow pilots’ calls.
The Civil Aviation Authority, including the Aviation Security Service, is seeing positive change since launching the Te Kākano culture change programme in June 2020, following the release of the Ministerial Review into organisational culture. While much has been achieved, we recognise that there is still work to do to ensure the Authority is a respectful, safe and inclusive place to work.
The Civil Aviation Authority has completed its safety-focused review of Rotorua Regional Airport Limited’s assessment that air traffic control services should remain at the airport.
The Civil Aviation Authority is working with Police in Otago following a serious helicopter accident north of Lawrence this morning.
If every pilot and ATC controller pronounces te reo Māori place names the one way, the risk of mid-air collisions will be reduced.
The Civil Aviation Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Hill as the Deputy Chief Executive – Aviation Security and Infrastructure.
From 17 August, the Aviation Security Service (Avsec) volunteered to assist the all of government Covid response by providing a passenger checking service at the entrances to all major New Zealand Airports.
The Civil Aviation Authority has reviewed Invercargill Airport Limited’s assessment that air traffic control services should remain at the airport in the interests of aviation safety.
It’s nearly two months since the amended Part 61 Private Licences and Ratings came into effect. The changes meant pilot licence holders could operate an aircraft on a Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency DL9 medical certificate.
Following a comprehensive safety review the Civil Aviation Authority has now granted Fiji Airways approval to resume flights to New Zealand using Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Authority is welcoming the conviction of a former commercial pilot who flew from Milford Sound to Queenstown with six tourists onboard despite knowing the aircraft’s propeller was severely damaged.
An investigation has led to charges being laid over a Wanaka man allegedly offering tourists unauthorised tandem paragliding flights, the Civil Aviation Authority can confirm today.
Former RAF base commander, jet pilot, and CAA Principal Aviation Examiner David Harrison has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive Aviation Safety.
The Civil Aviation Authority fully supports the Flight Instructor Code of Conduct developed jointly with Aviation New Zealand.
The airwaves in CFZs are becoming cluttered with irrelevant chit chat, and conversely, some pilots are still flying through MBZs without making reports. First published March/April 2017. Story updated May 2021.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has endorsed Milford Sound Piopiotahi Aerodrome’s recommendation to retain the vital aerodrome flight information service (AFIS) for pilots flying within Milford Sound.
The Civil Aviation Authority is reminding paraglider pilots to stay inside the weight range for their equipment and continue to familiarise themselves with local conditions before they take flight, as the safety investigation report into a fatal paragliding accident is released today.
As part of the latest amendment to the Part 61 rules (Pilot Licences and Ratings) which took effect on 5 April 2021, an error was made which had the effect of reducing the time period for maintaining IFR currency from 3 months to 60 days. We are planning to correct this error in an upcoming rules amendment, but in the meantime are recommending particpants follow the affected rules as they previously stood.
The Aviation Security Service (Avsec) is introducing new technology that will reduce the risk of viruses and bacteria, including the potential for COVID-19 transmission, at airport passenger screening points across the country.
Since mid-2019 Avsec has been introducing body scanners to New Zealand airports. As at February 2021 there were body scanners at four airports.
The changes to medical requirements in Rule 61, Amendment 17, outlined here, have led to changes to four Advisory Circulars (ACs):
Upcoming changes to New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Rules will deliver a cheaper and more accessible medical certification option for thousands of New Zealand pilots.
New Zealand’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is closely aligned with regional and global aviation authorities in supporting the move to allow Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft to return to the skies.
The Civil Aviation Authority has followed other international regulators and placed a temporary ban on some Boeing 777 aircraft from operating in New Zealand airspace.
The Civil Aviation Authority is welcoming the conviction yesterday of a recreational drone pilot at the Manukau District Court over a “deceptively dangerous” 2018 mid-air collision between his drone and a trainee paraglider at Karioitahi Beach near Waiuku.
