This page brings together guidance from the Civil Aviation Authority to support safe, consistent aviation practice in New Zealand with a focus on standards and licensing matters.
It provides clear explanations of CAA’s expectations and positions where these are not fully set out in rules or advisory material.
The content is designed to be practical, enduring, and easy to refer back to — helping aviation participants apply requirements consistently and with confidence.
Guidance resources sit alongside formal documents such as Civil Aviation Rules, Advisory Circulars, and Flight Test Standards Guides. They provide important context and clarification to support informed decision-making and consistent application of standards.
June 2026
Introduction: From time-to-time pilots holding a PPL, CPL, SCPL or ATPL issued prior to the Civil Aviation Act 1990 approach CAA wishing to exchange these licences for Part 61 lifetime licences. With the introduction of the Civil Aviation Act 2023, CAA has reviewed the position to facilitate future requests.
March 2026
Applicability: Flight examiners, flight instructors
Introduction: At the 2025 Flight Examiner Seminar, CAA staff were asked to review the method of simulating an engine failure, in light piston multi-engine aeroplanes, for the purpose of flight training and flight testing.
