Advisory circulars open for consultation

Advisory circulars 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 (November 2023) [PDF 290 KB]

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

See draft ACs closed for comment

As with previous ACs, sections highlighted in yellow denote insertions, and those in strikethrough denote deletions.

Advisory circulars open for consultation

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Advisory circulars closed for comment

The ACs that have been put up for consultation since the beginning of 2022 are listed below, in number order.

AC00-3, Revision 2, Internal Quality Assurance – open for consultation [PDF 588 KB]

This is the first time this AC has been reviewed since 2007. Revision 2 of this AC is a complete rewrite and reordering of this AC. It also takes the opportunity to add an appendix, which provides general advice on how to run an IQA process. Lastly, it adds a Version History. While this AC is directly relevant for Parts 109, 140 and 149 organisations, other sectors who are running SMS may also find the guidance and tips useful in developing a robust SMS.

As with previous ACs, sections highlighted in yellow denote insertions, and those in strikethrough denote deletions.

Comments closed Thursday 24 August 2023.

AC00-5, Rev 2, Parts Documentation-CAA Form One-Authorised Release Certificate marked up draft for information [PDF 376 KB]

This AC has been updated to reflect the new AC145-2, Technical Arrangement – Maintenance (TA-M) between New Zealand and Singapore – Advice for Aircraft Maintenance Organisations (AMOs), which provides guidance for approved New Zealand-based Part 145-certificated AMOs to perform maintenance on CAAS civil aeronautical products in accordance with the requirements of NZ Part 145

As with other ACs open for consultation, sections in yellow highlight are proposed insertions and this in strikethrough are proposed deletions.

Comments closed Monday 17 April 2023

AC12-2, Revision 2, Occurrence Investigation [PDF 362 KB]

This is the first time this AC has been reviewed since March 2016. Revision 2 is a substantive rewrite, which among other things:

Updates content to reflect related ACs, AC12-1 and AC100-1, which have had new revisions since the previous revision of this AC.
Revises Appendix A to reflect the form CAA005i, Occurrence Investigation Report.
Adds references to an AC from Transport Canada which contains a lot of relevant tips and guidance, and
Adds a Version History to make changes easier to track.

CAA was prompted to review this AC following a suggestion from a participant in the AC feedback survey. We would like to thank the participant who brought this to our attention.

Comments closed Monday 01 August 2022.

AC21-8, Revision 2, Design Changes—Supplemental Type Certificate [PDF 1 MB]

This AC has been updated. Revision 2 is the first time this AC has been revised since 2016. Revision 2 of AC21-8 reflects the new AC21-7, Product Certification – Type Certificates, which was issued on 14 May 2021. The main changes of AC21-8 are to:

Update section 1.4 to introduce new PSCP templates.
Create a new Appendix B.
Update the compliance matrix in Appendix A.
Make minor grammatical and stylistic updates.

As with previous ACs, sections highlighted in yellow denote insertions, and those in strikethrough denote deletions.

Comments closed Monday 17 January 2022.

AC43-9, Revision 5, Modifications, Repairs, and the CAA337 [PDF 380 KB]

Following a further request from an industry organisation, the deadline for providing feedback on this AC has been extended.

Revision 5 of this AC updates terminology and advice on acceptable technical data (ATD) throughout. Because of the scope of the changes, this draft AC has not been marked up, as it makes more sense to read the AC as a whole.

Comments closed Saturday 1 January 2022.

AC43-9, Modifications, Repairs, and the CAA337 [PDF 380 KB]

Following extensive consultation, CAA have made changes based on the feedback and put this revised draft out for a short further period of consultation to allow final constructive feedback.

CAA would like to thank all the participants who provided considered and valuable feedback on the draft to date.

Comments closed Thursday 11 August 2022.

AC61-12, Revision 4, Pilot Licences and Ratings - Aerobatic Flight Rating – marked up copy of new Revision up for information [PDF 253 KB]

This AC has been revised for the first time since 9 May 2007. Revision 4 does not change any content, but has updated the format to align with other ACs in this series, and corrects typos and other minor errors. The opportunity has also been taken to add a Version History.

Comments closed Wednesday 20 April 2022.

AC61-17, Revision 14, Pilot Licences and Rating - Instrument Rating [PDF 824 KB]

Revision 14 is a comprehensive update to reflect the primary role of Performance Based Navigation (PBN) in a pilot’s training and operations. It introduces a range of new syllabi and other changes to outline the knowledge needed to meet PBN requirements. For more detail on specific changes, readers can check the Version History at the front of the marked-up copy of AC61-17.

Comments closed Monday 02 September 2022.

AC66-1, Revision 4, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence - General [PDF 736 KB]

Following an earlier consultation period and substantive input from operators, this AC has been further revised. The new Revision 4:

Updates the applicable email address for CAA Licensing team and online payment methods.
In Subpart B, updates competency standards for maintenance on aircraft principally constructed of FRP and ratings for engineers in Electrical, Instrument and Radio (E,I&R) categories.
In Subpart C, relating to type ratings courses, adds notes on appropriate training and type ratings course for avionics related work, depending on the complexity of the E,I&R system.
In Subpart D, clarifies eligibility requirements for a Certificate of Maintenance Approval (MA) and MA renewal applications.
In Subpart E, clarifies eligibility requirements for a Certificate of Inspection Authority (IA) and IA applications.
In Appendix 1, adds FRP to Group 1 and 2, updates competency standards for doing maintenance on aircraft principally constructed of FRP, and adds notes on appropriate training and type ratings course for E,I&R related work, depending on the complexity of the E,I&R system.
In Appendix 2, adds a detailed description of category demarcation.

Please note that text highlighted in yellow indicates it has been inserted. We have taken out deleted segments to more clearly focus on the new material proposed for this AC. CAA would like to thank participants who took the time to provide feedback on the previous draft.

Comments closed Wednesday 04 May 2022.

AC066-1, Rev 5, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence - General [PDF 757 KB]

Revision 5 of this AC adds a section in Subpart C, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Ratings 66.103(3), Overseas B1 Training Courses (Limited powerplant platform ratings). This explains the process which enables acceptance of international B1 courses to allow for a limited powerplant rating to be awarded when fitted to the specified airframe platform.

As with other ACs open for consultation, sections in yellow highlight are proposed insertions and this in strikethrough are proposed deletions.

Comments closed Tuesday 20 March 2023

AC91-2, Revision 2, Assignment of Mode S Address [PDF 178 KB]

This AC has been revised for this first time since 2008, as part of a systematic review of ACs.

Revision 2 updates address information for the Aircraft Register and provides updates throughout to reflect changes to how Mode S addresses are assigned. We have also added a Version History.

Comments closed Tuesday 25 October 2022.

AC91-06, Revision 2, Aircraft Technical Log [PDF 459 KB]

This AC has been updated for the first time since 2011. Revision 2:

makes format and stylistic changes, to align with current AC format
adds advice about using alternative formats to CA006 in accordance with rule 91.619(c)
updates Form CAA 400 in Appendix A, and
adds a version history.

Comments closed Thursday 26 October 2023

AC91-9 & 172-1, Revision 15, Radiotelephony Manual [PDF 1.1 MB]

This proposed revision reintroduces term “Essential Traffic” to sections 4.14.1 to 4.14.3 to reflect the definition in rule 172.3, and in the New Zealand Aeronautical Information Publication (AIPNZ) ENR sections on Essential Traffic. It also corrects some formatting errors and changes page breaks to keep tables on one page wherever feasible.

While this is a minor change, CAA is also aiming to do a more substantive revision of this AC next year, subject to resourcing. If we get any feedback beyond the scope of the current revision we will collate for future work on this AC.

Comments closed Thursday 22 December 2022

AC92-2, Revision 2, Carriage of Dangerous Goods [PDF 1.3 MB]

This AC has been updated. This is the first time it has been revised since 27 April 2007. Revision 2 is a substantive update with guidance on:

11(a) Carriage of DG by Police
11(b) Carriage of Class 1 DG
11(c) Carriage of DG for recreational use of passengers
Carriage of DG for medical aid in flight
13 Carriage of DG by passengers and crew
Carriage of DG by helicopters operating in remote areas
Carriage of DG by underslung load
List of commonly carried items of DG
Segregation requirements
Aircraft emergency response drills
Carriage of DG in general

Because of the scope of the changes, we have not done the normal tracked change version, as it makes more sense to read the AC as a whole document.

Comments closed Friday 06 May 2022.

AC92-4, Revision 0, Dangerous Goods Manuals [PDF 566 KB]

The initial draft of this AC has been completed and is ready for consultation.

This AC describes an acceptable means of compliance with requirements to have a Dangerous Goods (DG) manual in an operator’s exposition, particularly for smaller operators. It also provides operators who are not certificated with a sample DG manual.

As part of this AC, we have drafted sample manuals for “will carry” and “will-not-carry” operators. While operators still have to work through their own circumstances in drafting their manuals, we hope that these will prompt operators to create robust and detailed manuals that will help them manage DG safely in their day-to-day operations. Ideally this AC would be read in conjunction with other ACs in the 92 series.

In the current draft we have included the manuals in the AC itself – we would welcome feedback from participants as to whether this format is useful, if published as a Word document, or whether it would be easier for them to be published as separate documents.

Comments closed Friday 29 July 2022.

AC100-1, Revision 3, Safety Management [PDF 3.3 MB]

This AC has been revised, to fix typos and other minor errors, and remove out of date rules references and transitional provisions.

Comments closed Tuesday 13 June 2023.

AC105-1, Revision 3, Parachuting — Operating Rules [PDF 181 KB]

This AC has been revised for the first time since 2017. Revision 3 is not a substantive revision, but corrects format and style to align it with current AC format.

Comments closed Wednesday 20 September 2023.

AC109-1, Revision 5, Regulated Air Cargo Agent – Certification – open for consultation [PDF 777 KB]

Revision 5 is a substantive update which:

Expands advice on the acceptance and ongoing oversight of known customers in New Zealand's air cargo and mail secure supply chain.
Adds subheadings to clarify the intent of rule parts.
Adds more detail to an acceptable form of compliance for Regulated Air Cargo Agents (RACAs) to ensure their obligations as a Part 109 certificate holder are being met, with particular reference to rule 109.61.
Updates the sections on Internal Quality Assurance and Occurrence Reporting.
Adds appendices, including: a template for known customer register, an example of a known customer security programme, and general guidance on elements of a strong security culture.

Comments closed Sunday 24 September 2023.

AC115-7, Revision 1, Adventure Aviation — Special Aircraft Operations [PDF 254 KB]

This AC has been updated as part of a systematic revision of ACs. Revision 1 is the first update since 2016. It updates format and style to align with current ACs, moves a table to Appendix A, to make it easier to read, and adds a Version History.