Experienced pilots represent thousands of hours of experience, and for some, a lifetime of commitment to aviation. This means that there are many older pilots that exist in the aviation system today. If you fly in New Zealand and are aged 65 or older, it's important to understand how age-related rules apply to your flying privileges.
These rules differ depending on whether you're flying domestically, internationally, or under mutual recognition arrangements with Australia or other states. Aviation requirements may change over time, including where a State has indicated acceptance outside a formal International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) difference.
Generally, the following conditions are in place for pilots aged 65 or older. Operators remain responsible for confirming regulatory acceptance for each flight.
Note: This guidance may not apply to every individual case because the facts in individual cases will vary. CAA recommends that operators or pilots should seek regulatory or legal advice where necessary and are familiar with the further guidance below.
You can contact CAA at licensing@caa.govt.nz.
| Card | Status |
|---|---|
| Flying domestically within New Zealand | Generally permitted when requirements are met |
| Flying internationally between New Zealand and Australia | Usually permitted with conditions and when requirements are met |
| Flying internationally to other countries | Depends on foreign State acceptance and if requirements are met |
| Foreign operators flying into New Zealand | Depends on home State permissions and if requirements are met |
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 1:
2.1.10 Limitation of privileges of pilots who have attained their 60th birthday and curtailment of privileges of pilots who have attained their 65th birthday
A Contracting State, having issued pilot licences, shall not permit the holders thereof to act as pilot of an aircraft engaged in international commercial air transport operations if the licence holders have attained their 60th birthday or, in the case of operations with more than one pilot, their 65th birthday.
The ICAO sets international safety standards for aviation.
Under ICAO Annex 1, paragraph 2.1.10:
Under ICAO Annex 1, paragraph 1.2.5.2.3, pilots must renew their Class 1 medical certificate every six months after age 60.
Most ICAO States apply this standard unless they:
New Zealand has filed a difference to ICAO Annex 1 2.1.10 age limits because section 21 of the Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits age discrimination in employment in New Zealand.
Pilots aged 65+ may fly domestically. All licence, medical, and currency requirements still apply.
CAA oversight is based on fitness to fly, not age alone. Support is available to pilots concerned about their fitness to fly through the Safe Haven, an initiative designed to build trust, reduce fear of loss of licence or career, and encourage aviation professionals to engage with healthcare early.
Safe Haven website(external link)
CAA may intervene where there are concerns about a pilot’s medical fitness, performance, or safety risk, including:
New Zealand and Australia have both filed differences to ICAO age standards and have set up the ANZA mutual recognition agreement.
Under the ANZA mutual recognition agreement, approved air operators may fly to, from, or within the other State under their “home” Air Operator Certificate. You can read more about this at ANZA privileges.
For pilots aged 65+, this means:
Important:
If a flight plan includes an alternate aerodrome in a third State, operators must check that State’s age limit rules. Pilots may by unable to be rostered if the alternate aerodrome is in a State that rejects age 65+ pilots.
For flights between or within New Zealand and Australia under a New Zealand or Australian Part 129 FAOC, pilots aged 65+ may generally be rostered if:
Some operations can be conducted between Australia and New Zealand without an FAOC where activity is limited. This is for operations involving:
In these cases, pilots aged 65+ are normally accepted if CAR 91.111(4)(iii) or CAR 91.111(5)(iii), as applicable, is complied with.
The Annex 1 international pilot age standard applies over the high seas*, but due to New Zealand domestic law, CAA does not give effect to this standard where New Zealand provides air traffic control services, such as the Auckland Oceanic FIR.
*The high seas begin from the outer limit of a State’s territorial sea, 12 Nautical Miles from the shoreline.
If a pilot is licensed by another State, New Zealand may not know whether that State allows pilots aged 65+ to fly internationally unless that State has:
Foreign operators are responsible for confirming the pilot’s eligibility with the relevant regulator before rostering.
Each State has its own aviation law. Many States follow the ICAO Standard in Annex 1, para 2.1.10 but some have filed a difference.
Neither New Zealand nor the CAA can say whether pilots aged 65+ will be accepted by another State as this decision rests with each State.
Under Article 40 of the International Convention on Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), an international public law agreement on civil aviation, pilots aged 65+ must have permission from a foreign State before operating into, out of, or over that State.
There is no specific form that Article 40 permission must take. Permission could be provided in several ways, including:
In practice, permission means the foreign State has clearly agreed to allow pilots aged 65+ to operate and cannot be assumed. It is therefore important that if you are an operator with a 65+ pilot wanting to fly internationally, you are aware of what the relevant State/s allow.
Operators are responsible for checking whether a pilot aged 65+ may be rostered for each flight.
This includes confirming:
Operators flying between New Zealand and Australia should check with CASA regarding Australian requirements for their relevant category of operation.
Under Article 39 of the Chicago Convention, pilot licences shall be endorsed to acknowledge that the pilot does not meet ICAO age limits, if they are operating internationally.
Pilots aged 65+ seeking a licence endorsement should contact the CAA to discuss attaching an endorsement via licensing@caa.govt.nz.
Yes, but only under specific conditions. ICAO limits international flying to below age 65 for multi-pilot operations. However, if both the departure and destination countries agree to accept a licence that exceeds this limit, the pilot may be allowed to fly internationally.
Filing a difference is a formal declaration by a country that it does not enforce a specific ICAO standard. If both countries involved in a flight have filed a difference to the age limit, then a pilot over 65 can usually operate that flight, unless there are issues with any alternates or third countries enroute.
Yes. Both New Zealand and Australia allow appropriately licensed pilots to fly domestically beyond age 65, provided they hold a valid medical certificate and meet operational requirements.
Yes, depending on the category of operation and the conditions that apply, Operators still need to check that a 65+ pilot is permitted for a particular flight or operation, especially if a flight plan requires an alternate in a third country.
If you have any questions about this topic, use our contact form, or email licensing@caa.govt.nz.
