Advisory circulars open for consultation | aviation.govt.nz

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 (May 2023) [PDF 244 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

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.

Provide your feedback on AC145-1

Feedback on this AC will be open until Thursday 22 June 2023.

(Note the extended time frame to give feedback on this AC, following the request of a participant.)

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This AC has been revised, to fix typos and other minor errors, and remove out of date rules references and transitional provisions.

Provide your feedback on AC100-1

Feedback on this AC will be open until Tuesday 13 June 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.

Provide your feedback on AC115-7

Feedback on this and four related ACs in the 115 series will be open until 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.

Provide your feedback on AC115-3

Feedback on this and four related ACs in the 115 series will be open until 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.

Provide your feedback on AC115-4

Feedback on this and four related ACs in the 115 series will be open until 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.

Provide your feedback on AC115-8

Feedback on this and four related ACs in the 115 series will be open until 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.

Provide your feedback on AC115-1

Feedback on this and four related ACs in the 115 series will be open until Monday 12 June 2023.

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.

AC00-5, 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 Apr 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 Aug 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 Aug 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 Sep 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 Mar 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 Oct 2022.

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 Dec 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 Jul 2022.

AC139-3, Revision 5, Aerodrome Inspection Programme and Condition Reporting [PDF 979 KB]

This AC has been revised to reflect proposed changes to Civil Aviation Rule Part 139, Aerodromes Certification, Operation and Use, which have been posted for comment here. This is a comprehensive review, to align with Part 139, Amendment 15, and ICAO’s introduction of the Global reporting Format (GRF) for runway condition reporting, as set out in ICAO Circular 355, adapted for New Zealand conditions. We have also added:

APPENDIX A: RCRs – Assessment and Report Format
APPENDIX B: Practical guide for the assessment, collection and issue of a runway condition report at a CONTROLLED aerodrome
APPENDIX C: Practical guide for the assessment, collection and issue of a runway condition report at an UNCONTROLLED aerodrome
a Version History, and
an Abbreviations and a Definitions section

and deleted Section 4, Special Inspection, and incorporated relevant material into Section 3, Regular Inspections.

Comments closed Wednesday 30 Nov 2022.

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 Mar 2023.