Advisory Circulars open for consultation

Advisory Circulars (ACs) provide an acceptable means of compliance with Civil Aviation Rules.

To see a list of ACs we are working on and new ACs, please check here:

Advisory Circulars monthly report (June 2025) [PDF 394 KB]

To provide feedback on ACs, please see the list open for consultation below.

Advisory Circulars open for consultation

AC139-18 - Aerodrome Security [PDF 785 KB]

This is a new AC. It describes an acceptable means of compliance with sections of Civil Aviation Rule Part 139, Aerodromes Certification – Operations and Use, relating to security measures for aerodromes.

It is intended for applicants and/or holders of:

a security-designated aerodrome operator certificate, and/ or
a non-security designated aerodrome operator certificate.

Operators of qualifying or non-certificated aerodromes could also refer to the sections on security advice, for advice on security measures that could benefit their aerodrome.

If you would like to provide feedback, please use our Advisory Circular feedback form.

Comments close 22 August 2025.

Advisory Circulars closed for comment

The ACs that have been put up for consultation since the beginning of 2024 are listed below, in numerical order.

AC00-1, Revision 3, Acceptability of Parts and AC43-3, Revision 6, Parts Documentation—CAA Form Two-New Zealand Domestic Part Label

We have updated these two ACs, to address a potential contradiction between Part 43 and AC 43-3 and AC00-1. Because the changes in AC00-1, clarifying the use of CAA Form Two, are reflected in changes to AC43-3, which is about CAA Form Two, we felt participants would find it more efficient to review the ACs together.

AC00-1, Revision 3, Acceptability of Parts [PDF 489 KB]

AC43-3, Revision 6, Parts Documentation—CAA Form Two-New Zealand Domestic Part Label [PDF 351 KB]

Revision 3 of AC00-1 clarifies some technical issues, as below:

Adding a rule reference in section 2.2, Part 43 – Maintenance practices
Clarifying section 2.4, Acceptable parts, and section 5.2, Determining eligibility, about the use of CAA Form Two
Deleting advice about finite life components in section 2.4, Acceptable parts
Deleting examples of unacceptable parts in section 2.5, Unacceptable parts, and.
Moving the section on finite life components from section 3.1, General, to new section 5.3, Conformity.

Revision 6 of AC 43-3 updates terminology and wording where needed to clarify guidance.

Comments closed Wednesday 11 September 2024.

AC00-1, Revision 2, Acceptability of parts [PDF 470 KB]

Revision 2:

clarifies eligibility of CASA Form 1 in sections 2.4, 3.1 and 5.2, and deletes clarification ‘formerly DA1’
deletes clarification ‘formerly JAA Form One’, after EASA Form 1 in sections 2.4, 3.1 and 5.2
deletes clarification ‘formerly TC24 0078’ after Transport Canada Form One in sections 2.4, 3.1 and 5.2
adds section 5.3 about the eligibility of CASA Form 1 for a CAANZ Part 145-certification organisation, and
deletes note about the incorrect rule reference as corrected in 2021.

Comments closed Tuesday 7 May 2024.

AC-002, Revision 2, Storage and distribution of aeronautical supplies [PDF 435 KB]

This AC is open for consultation for the first time since 2007. Revision 2 is a substantive update of this AC. It updates content throughout and removes information:

drawn from foreign guidance material, replacing it with direct reference to the source information, and

which could have contravened overarching guidance from organisations such as WorkSafe or the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), replacing it with reference to the relevant source data.

Lastly, it adds a Version History.

Comments closed Monday 28 October 2024.

AC00-6, Revision 2, Electronic Signatures, Electronic Record- keeping and Electronic Manuals [PDF 528 KB]

This AC has been updated and is open for consultation. Revision 2 updates this AC in line with redrafted rules under the Civil Aviation Act 2023 (CA Act 2023) to prepare for the CA Act 2023 coming into force in April 2025. It also:

adds an Introduction
cuts duplicate sections
amends Appendix B by removing specific quoted sections of the CCLA Act 2017 and replacing with a summary and website links, and
makes formatting and stylistic updates to align with current AC format.

Comments closed Tuesday 18 March 2025.

AC43-10, Revision 7, Aircraft radio station – Form CAA 2129, Aircraft Radio Station Equipment Approval Levels [PDF 703 KB]

Revision 7 is the first time this AC has been updated since 2002 and provides clarification regarding the content of the form CAA 2129. We have also taken the opportunity to add a Version History.

Comments closed Friday 16 February 2024.

Proposal to revoke AC43-12, Non-aeronautical lead acid batteries

As part of our review of ACs, CAA has determined that this AC is no longer fit for purpose, as the acceptable standards are out of date, and the remaining guidance is either better suited to a webpage or can be found in manufacturers’ instructions.

We proposed to revoke this AC, unless participants were strongly in favour of its retention.

Comments closed Monday 26 February 2024.

AC61-1, Revision 13, Pilot licences and ratings – General – open for consultation [PDF 456 KB]

Revision 13 adds a requirement to provide evidence of remedial training in the event of a flight test failure, in the section on rule 61.21, Flight tests. This change reflects advice from CAA in a seminar for General Aviation participants in October 2023, where CAA and participants discussed the need for proper assessment of remedial training.

Comments closed Wednesday 03 April 2024.

AC61-10, Revision 13, Pilot Licences and Ratings [PDF 487 KB]

Revision 13:

Removes approved basic gas turbine knowledge exam equivalence for engineers with turbine engine aircraft ratings, and
Replaces CASA Boeing 737 Type Rating equivalence with multi-crew aircraft, and
Adds, in Appendices V and VII, a requirement for type training in helicopters and aeroplanes over 5700kg to include Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) recommendations and Operational Suitability Data (OSD) in the training syllabus.

Comments closed Monday 5 August 2024.

AC61-19, Revision 15, Pilot licences and ratings - Flight Examiner Ratings [PDF 477 KB]

Revision 15 is a substantive change which:

updates the section, Flight Examiner Rating Requirements
replaces content of Appendix I, Examiner Theory Course Syllabus
adds a new Appendix II, Practical Training, and
makes minor changes to align with current AC style.

Comments closed Monday 20 February 2024.

AC66-1, Revision 7, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence – General [PDF 855 KB]

This AC has been revised and is available for consultation here. Revision 7 adds components on:

Practical Consolidation Training (PCT) for Practical Training Records (PTR)
Amateur Build Maintenance Authorisations, and
Foreign Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Recognition Consolidated Examination.

As well as these changes, to align with the Civil Aviation Act 2023 (CA Act 2023), we have updated:

section numbers to reflect the CA Act 2023
wording in the section on rule 66.9(a)(1), Fit and proper person (FPP) test, to reflect Act changes
guidance in the section on rule 66.19, Medical requirements, and
the Note on the bottom of page 8 relating to applying online.

Finally, this revision notes rule 66.17, Offences involving alcohol or drugs, has been removed in the new Part 66.

Comments closed Wednesday 30 April 2025.

AC66-3.1, Revision 0, Aircraft Maintenance Approval — Examination Subject 180 Maintenance of Special Category Amateur Aircraft [PDF 690 KB]

This is a new AC. It provides an acceptable means of compliance for the syllabus content in respect of written and oral examinations for the Special Category Amateur Aircraft. This AC also provides guidance for recommended study material in respect of the examination syllabi in this AC.

Although this is the initial revision of this AC, it is largely drawn from the syllabus for Subject 180, Maintenance Certification of Experimental Category Aircraft. This AC also includes updated information for study materials to sit an examination and aligning format to current AC standards. Because it is new, it is not marked up.

Comments closed Wednesday 30 April 2025.

AC91-11, Revision 3, Single Pilot IFR – open for consultation [PDF 694 KB]

Revision 3 is a substantive revision which:

deletes sections, including the Pre-amble, GPS (a sub-section of Crew Resource Management), and out-of-date paragraphs in the Checklists section, Appendix B
updates references throughout
updates throughout to align with current AC style, and
adds a version history.

Comments closed Wednesday 24 April 2024.

AC91-17, Revision 2, Light Hazards on Aircraft [PDF 327 KB]

Revision 2 changes the title of the AC from Laser Strikes on Aircraft to Light Hazards on Aircraft. It also adds the following:

New section 6, Other light hazards.
A note under section 7.
A sub-section 9.4 on other hazards such as bright lights.

Comments closed Monday 27 May 2024.

AC91-25 Revision 0, Passenger Safety Briefings [PDF 541 KB]

This draft AC includes advice about Special categories of passengers, and Preparing for passengers’ communication needs, which could impact Deaf and disabled people We’ve been working with Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People to share this invitation with the Deaf and disabled community through their networks. We will share what we learn through the consultation process with them. CAA will not share feedback with other agencies or identify any submitter.

Comments closed Wednesday 23 April 2025.

AC92-2, Revision 4, Carriage of Dangerous Goods [PDF 1.4 MB]

Revision 4 adds five new sections:

Section 3: Carriage of DG for the airworthiness and operational requirements, and company material
Section 8: Carriage of DG for Search and Rescue (SAR)
Section 9: Carriage of DG during Part 115 flights
Section 10: Carriage of DG during Part 137 flights, and
Section 14: Loading of DG cargo.

We have also amended the notes section in Table 6.1, Ammunition, by deleting the maximum quantity per passenger weight.

Comments closed Monday 19 August 2024.

AC99-1 Initial Issue, Drug and Alcohol Management Plans and Testing – open for consultation [PDF 749 KB]

This draft advisory circular is associated with the Notice for Proposed Rule-Making (NPRM) 24-02.

The objective of this proposal is to develop rules to support, and give effect to, the provisions in the Civil Aviation Act 2023 (2023 Act) for drug and alcohol management plans and testing.

To assist understanding of the 2023 Act provisions, and effect of the rules, a draft advisory circular has been developed. As well as providing answers to questions you may have on the drug and alcohol regime being introduced, it contains a draft DAMP template, designed to reduce the administrative cost to participants.

Comments closed Friday 10 May 2024.

AC102-1, Revision 1, Unmanned Aircraft - Operator Certification [PDF 811 KB]

Revision 1 is a comprehensive revision which:

removes the FAQ section and out-of-date transition provisions (rule 102.27)
focuses on the intent of the rule – for operators to assess and manage aviation risks and create procedures to ensure their operation is conducted safely, and
adds three appendices:
- Appendix I – Guide to ISO: 31000 – Risk Management
- Appendix II - Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA), and
- Appendix III – Examples of sets of exposition documents.

We were also interested in participants’ views as to whether any of the checklists would sit better on a dedicated page on the CAA website, rather than in this AC.

Comments closed Tuesday 02 April 2024.

AC119-1, Revision 8, Air Operator Certification [PDF 828 KB]

This AC has been revised for the first time since 2014. Revision 8 is a substantive update which deletes outdated sections and updates sections throughout. It also updates the style and format to align with other ACs and adds a Version History.

Comments closed Monday 18 November 2024.

AC119-4, Revision 2, Passenger, Crew and Baggage Weights [PDF 527 KB]

This AC has been revised for the first time since 2005.

Revision 2 updates the style to align with other ACs, and adds information about calculating weights and balances with the aid of a computer tool or app. It also adds a Further Resources section and a Version History.

Comments closed Tuesday 20 August 2024.

AC133-1, Revision 0, Helicopter External Load Operations [PDF 2.1 MB]

This is a new AC, relating to Part 133, Subparts B, Operating rules and related requirements, F, Instruments and Equipment, and G, Maintenance. It outlines CAA’s expectations of operators who are carrying out external load operations conducted under Civil Aviation Rule Part 133, Helicopter External Load Operations.

In summary, CAA expects evidence that operators are:

only using external load equipment that has been designed and manufactured and installed to the appropriate standards, and
maintaining and inspecting external load equipment to preserve the necessary operating safety margins.

The AC also highlights areas of concern that CAA inspectors have raised, and issues for operators to be mindful of when planning their operations and managing risks.

Comments closed Tuesday 16 January 2025.

AC139-4, Revision 7, Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting [PDF 574 KB]

Revision 7 is a substantive revision which, among other things:

adds new sections:
- 4.7, Simulated and synthetic training
- 7.4, Rescue and firefighting – operational requirements
Updates some medical requirements
Updates some entry training standards
Adds Tables 1 and 2 to section 6.5 Reserve supply
Deletes the Definitions section
Updates old Table 1, now Table 3, Typical aeroplane types and the respective category

Comments closed Friday 23 August 2024.

AC139-06, Revision 8, Aerodrome Design Requirements [PDF 4.2 MB]

This consultation draft includes only the proposed additions to the AC.

Revision 8 proposes to insert the following into AC139-6:

new definitions: Aircraft classification rating (ACR), PCR and Significant obstacles
new section 1.6, Airport Design and Master Plan, to reference Section 232 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023 (CA Act)
information about Pavement classification rating (PCR), to provide operators with guidance to continue to use the existing PCN approach, while introducing the new approach to section 2.5, Strength of Pavement.

This consultation is focused only on the proposed changes. Please note this AC is undergoing a larger review and further opportunities to comment on the rest of its content will be provided.

Comments closed 30 June 2025.

AC139-10, Revision 2, Control of Obstacles [PDF 268 KB]

This AC has been updated for the first time since 2007. Revision 2 updates references and key information, makes the language more direct and adds a Version History.

Comments closed Friday 26 April 2024. [PDF 437 KB]