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 (February 2024) [PDF 256 KB]

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

See draft ACs closed for comment

Advisory Circulars open for consultation

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

This AC has been revised and is open for consultation. 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.

As with other ACs,  proposed insertions are in yellow highlight and proposed deletions in strikethrough.

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

Comments close Wednesday 03 April 2024.


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

This AC has been updated and is available for consultation. 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  • removes the FAQ section and out-of-date transition provisions (rule 102.27)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 are 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.

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

Comments close Tuesday 02 April 2024.

Advisory Circulars closed for comment

The ACs that have been put up for consultation since the beginning of 2023 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.

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

Comments closed Monday 17 April 2023.


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.


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

This AC has been updated and is available for consultation. 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.


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.

Comments closed Tuesday 20 March 2023.


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.


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.

Comments closed Monday 12 June 2023.


AC115-3, Revision 1, Adventure Aviation — Parachute Drop-Aircraft Operations [PDF 246 KB]

This AC has been updated as part of a systematic revision of ACs. Revision 1 is the first update since 2016. It updates rule 91.513, adds a reference to Part 105, Subpart A, General, adds an Appendix A for easy reference and updates the style to align with current ACs. We have also added a Version History.

Comments closed Monday 12 June 2023.


AC115-4, Revision 1, Adventure Aviation — Tandem Parachute Operations [PDF 234 KB]

This AC has been updated as part of a systematic revision of ACs. Revision 1 is the first update since 2016. It adds a section on Rule 115.573, Maintenance of tandem parachutes, updates format and style to align with current ACs and adds a Version History.

Comments closed Monday 12 June 2023.


AC115-8, Revision 1, Adventure Aviation — Microlight Aircraft Operations [PDF 216 KB]

This AC has been updated as part of a systematic revision of ACs. Revision 1 is the first update since 2016. It clarifies rule 115.811, Minimum heights, updates format and style to align with current ACs, and adds a Version History.

Comments closed Monday 12 June 2023.


AC115-1, Rev 4, Adventure Aviation — Operator Certification [PDF 880 KB]

This AC has been updated as part of a systematic revision of ACs. Revision 4 is the first update since 2016 and:

  • moves general information on fatigue risk management to a new appendix, Appendix VI
  • updates guidance on 115.15, Maximum period, 115.5, Personnel competency requirements, 115.215, Manipulation of controls
  • updates guidance to reflect the transition from a Quality Management System (QMS) to a system of safety management (Safety Management System or SMS) focus, as reflected in rule 115.77
  • adds guidance on 115.229, Carriage of dangerous goods
  • deletes obsolete sections, notably Subpart CA – Transitional Provisions
  • deletes Appendix I, Qualifications and Competencies of Senior Persons, as this information duplicates Part 115, Appendix A
  • changes numbering of appendices to remove confusion with appendices in Part 115
  • standardises the format and style to align with current ACs, and
  • adds a Version History.

Comments closed Monday 12 June 2023.


AC121-7 & 125-2, Ditching – Techniques, Hazards, and Survival, Revision 1 [PDF 716 KB]

This AC has been revised, for the first time since 2010.

Revision 1 has changed the title to incorporate Part 121, Air Operations Large Aeroplanes. It substantially updates the content throughout and changes the order of many sections. We have also taken the opportunity to add to the Definitions section, and add an Abbreviations section and a Version History. An appendix of suggested checklists has been added. Lastly, we have deleted the Risk Assessment and Mitigations section as guidance is now available from other ACs.

Comments closed Tuesday 24 October 2023.


AC139-3, Revision 5, Aerodrome Inspection Programme and Condition Reporting – second round of consultation [PDF 1.3 MB]

After the earlier consultation period, we have now been able to incorporate feedback and add material that will help Part 139-certificate holders meet their obligations with regards to runway condition reporting. The new version of this AC has the additional appendices:

  • APPENDIX D: Flow Chart for Part 139 Certificated and Qualifying Aerodrome Operators      
  • APPENDIX E: How to access the RCR Internet Flight Information System (IFIS) portal 
  • APPENDIX F: How to use the RCR IFIS portal
  • APPENDIX G: Scenarios with examples of RCR, Voice ATIS, D-ATIS and NOTAM

Comments closed Tuesday 17 October 2023.

CAA would like to thank participants who gave detailed and constructive feedback that has been very useful in enhancing this AC.


AC145-1 Revision 8, Aircraft Maintenance Organisations [PDF 692 KB]

This AC has been revised, following a request for CAA to clarify the necessary requirements for training of staff to certify components for release to service. Every Part 145-Certificated organisation will have established authorisation procedures, including the assessment of staff prior to the issuance of an authorisation. In the case of organisations maintaining components, authorisation procedures will identify the relevant component technical training course which must be undertaken prior to an authorisation being issued.

AC145-1 provides guidance to organisations who choose to establish an internal training function to address this requirement. In Section 6, Training and assessment (E1 rating or internal training) this AC identifies ATA Specification 104, Guidelines for Aircraft Maintenance Training, as guidance material for organisations choosing to conduct internal training. ATA Specification 104 expands on the guidance in this AC and provides a framework for organisations conducting technical training. Therefore, it is strongly suggested that ATA Specification 104 and AC145-1 are read in combination when establishing the relevant training.

Comments closed Thursday 22 June 2023.


AC145-2, Rev 0, Advice for AMOs on Tech Agreement Maintenance between CAAS and CAANZ [PDF 437 KB]

On 30 September 2022, the CAA of NZ signed a Technical Arrangement – Maintenance (TA-M) with CAA Singapore. The text of the TA-M can be found on the CAA website here. We have drafted a new AC, AC145-2, Technical Arrangement – Maintenance (TA-M) between New Zealand and Singapore – Advice for Aircraft Maintenance Organisations (AMO) to:

  • provide advice to New Zealand Civil Aviation Rule Part 145-certificated organisations, or Aircraft Maintenance Organisations (AMOs), on how to meet the requirements of rule 43.1(b) for doing work on aircraft registered in another State that is party to a technical agreement with CAANZ, and
  • outline the steps AMOs need to take to utilise this arrangement, to be able to perform maintenance on CAAS-certificated aeronautical products in accordance with rule 43.1(b).

Comments closed Thursday 16 March 2023.