Note: This is the original issue of Part 47, not the current consolidation.
Part 47 - initial issue [PDF 740 KB]
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This Part prescribes rules governing—
(1) the registration of aircraft in New Zealand; and
(2) the allocation of nationality and registration marks for New Zealand registered aircraft; and
(3) the display of marks on New Zealand registered aircraft.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), every person lawfully entitled to the possession of an aircraft for 28 days or longer must, if the aircraft flies to, from, within, or over New Zealand territory, register that aircraft and hold a valid certificate of registration for that aircraft from—
(1) the Director; or
(2) the appropriate aeronautical authorities of a contracting State of ICAO; or
(3) the appropriate aeronautical authorities of another State that is party to an agreement with the Government of New Zealand or the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand which provides for the acceptance of each other's registrations.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to –
(1) an aircraft manufacturing organisation certificated under Part 148, conducting flight testing of a new production aircraft for which a special flight permit has been issued under Part 21; or
(2) a person operating aircraft or equipment in accordance with Parts 101, 105, or 106; or
(3) a person operating an unmanned aircraft under the authority of an unmanned aircraft operator certificate granted under the Act and in accordance with Part 102 unless compliance with this Part is required as a condition of operation.
(c) No aircraft may be registered in New Zealand, if it is registered in any other country.
(a) An application for the registration of an aircraft and for the grant of a New Zealand certificate of registration must be made by, or on behalf of—
(1) the person who is lawfully entitled to the possession of the aircraft for 28 days or longer; or
(2) the person who, on a date specified in the application, will be lawfully entitled to the possession of the aircraft for 28 days or longer.
(b) The applicant must complete the approved CAA form, which requires—
(1) the manufacturer, model and serial number of the aircraft; and
(2) the name and address for service in New Zealand of the person specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (2); and
(3) such further particulars relating to the aircraft and the person specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) as may be required by the Director as indicated on the form—
and submit it to the Director with a payment of the appropriate application fee prescribed by regulations made under the Act.
(c) The Director may require the applicant, or the person on whose behalf the application is made, to produce all or any of the following, as may be reasonable in the circumstances:
(1) evidence of the manufacturer, model and serial number of the aircraft:
(2) evidence of the identity of the person specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (2):
(3) a statutory declaration by the person specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (2) that that person is, or on a date specified in the application will be, lawfully entitled to the possession of the aircraft for 28 days or longer.
(d) An applicant applying under this rule for the registration of an aircraft and for the grant of a New Zealand certificate of registration for an aircraft that, in accordance with Part 21, has, or is to be issued with, a special category – exhibition airworthiness certificate or a special category – limited airworthiness certificate must provide the Director with the details required by rule 47.55(d) for the operator statement.
(a) Subject to paragraph (c), an applicant is entitled to have an aircraft registered, and is entitled under section 75 of the Act, to the grant of a New Zealand certificate of registration if the Director is satisfied that—
(1) in accordance with section 37 of the Act the aircraft is not registered in any other country; and
(2) the applicant satisfies the applicable requirements of rule 47.53(b); and
(3) the evidence and statutory declaration that may be required under rule 47.53(c) is acceptable; and
(4) the person lawfully entitled to the possession of the aircraft for 28 days or longer is a fit and proper person; and
(5) if the aircraft has, or is to be issued with, a special category - exhibition airworthiness certificate or a special category - limited airworthiness certificate in accordance with Part 21, the information required by paragraph (d) is acceptable; and
(6) the granting of the certificate is not contrary to the interests of aviation safety.
(b) If the Director is satisfied that a certificate of registration may be granted in accordance with paragraph (a), the Authority must enter in the New Zealand Register of Aircraft—
(1) the date of registration; and
(2) the description of the aircraft given in the application; and
(3) the name and address for service of the person lawfully entitled to the possession of the aircraft for 28 days or longer; and
(4) the registration mark allocated to the aircraft by the Director under rule 47.103; and
(5) if applicable, the description of the identifiable paint scheme and markings approved under rule 47.104.
(c) A certificate of registration granted under paragraph (a) for an aircraft that, in accordance with Part 21 has, or is to be issued with, a special category – exhibition airworthiness certificate or a special category – limited airworthiness certificate must be accompanied by an operator statement as specified in paragraph (d).
(d) The operator statement must contain the following information:
(1) the make, model and registration marking of the aircraft:
(2) the name of the following persons—
(i) the person representing the holder of the certificate of registration for the aircraft:
(ii) the person responsible for controlling flight operations and crew member training for the aircraft:
(iii) the person responsible for controlling the maintenance of the aircraft:
(3) details of the minimum fuel reserve required for the safe operation of the aircraft under VFR, including the maximum flying time at normal cruise speed for the minimum fuel reserve:
(4) the name of the principal provider of maintenance services for the aircraft:
(5) the identity of the maintenance programme required by rule 91.605(b)(2) or (3):
(6) details of procedures for operating the aircraft with inoperative equipment:
(7) details of any restrictions or qualifications imposed on a person who may taxi the aircraft:
(8) if applicable, details of any restrictions regarding the carriage of passengers in the aircraft:
(9) information regarding any ejection seat, explosive egress device or jettison system installed in the aircraft including—
(i) details of the equipment fitted; and
(ii) procedures for use in flight; and
(iii) procedures for training a person, who maintains or otherwise has access to the aircraft, and safety practices for any ejection seat, explosive egress device or jettison system fitted; and
(iv) safety measures on the ground, including control of stored equipment such as spare cartridges for any ejection seat, explosive egress device or jettison system; and
(v) the name of every person who holds a certificate of maintenance approval issued under Part 66 and who is authorised by the holder of the certificate of registration to perform maintenance of any ejection seat, explosive egress device or jettison system fitted; and
(vi) the name of every person responsible for conducting training on any ejection seat, explosive egress device or jettison system; and
(vii) the name of the person responsible for notifying local emergency services of the existence of an ejection seat, explosive egress device or jettison system and the safety precautions required.
(a) If the holder of a New Zealand certificate of registration ceases to have lawful entitlement to possession of the registered aircraft for a period of 28 days or longer, the certificate expires on the date the certificate holder ceases to have lawful entitlement to possession of the aircraft.
(b) The certificate holder whose certificate expires in accordance with paragraph (a) must—
(1) within 14 days after the date of such expiry, ensure the completion of—
(i) the form printed on the reverse side of the New Zealand certificate of registration; or
(ii) the approved CAA form— and submit the form to the Director with a payment of the appropriate fee prescribed by regulations made under the Act; or
(2) where applicable, notify the Director in accordance with rule 47.67(b).
(a) Notwithstanding rule 47.51(a), a person lawfully entitled to the possession of an aircraft which flies to, from, within, or over New Zealand territory, is not required to hold a valid New Zealand certificate of registration for a period of 28 days from the date of expiry of the certificate under rule 47.57(a).
(b) After 28 days have elapsed from the expiry of a New Zealand certificate of registration under rule 47.57(a), the aircraft must not be operated until such time as the Director grants a certificate of registration for the aircraft.
(a) The holder of a New Zealand certificate of registration must notify the Director, as soon as practicable, of any change that affects the currency of—
(1) any information contained in the certificate; or
(2) any information contained in the operator statement required by rule 47.55(c).
(b) If, after receiving a notification under paragraph (a)(1), the Director amends or revokes the certificate of registration and issues a new certificate in its place in accordance with section 101 of the Act, the Authority must update the relevant particulars in the New Zealand Register of Aircraft.
(c) The Director may amend the information contained in the operator statement required by rule 47.55(c) if a change notified under paragraph (a)(2) is acceptable to the Director.
(d) The Director may impose a change to the information contained in the operator statement required by rule 47.55(c) if the Director considers the change is necessary in the interest of aviation safety.
(a) The holder of a New Zealand certificate of registration may apply for a replacement certificate if the certificate is—
(1) lost, stolen, or destroyed; or
(2) so damaged that particulars are no longer clearly legible.
(b) The applicant for a replacement certificate must complete the approved CAA form and submit it to the Director with—
(1) a payment of the appropriate application fee prescribed by regulations made under the Act; and
(2) where applicable, the damaged certificate.
(a) A New Zealand certificate of registration remains valid until—
(1) it expires under rule 47.57(a); or
(2) it is suspended or revoked by the Director.
(b) The holder of a New Zealand certificate of registration that is suspended must immediately produce the certificate to the Director for appropriate endorsement.
(c) The holder of a New Zealand certificate of registration that is revoked must immediately surrender the certificate to the Director.
(d) The operator statement required by rule 47.55(c) for an aircraft that has a special category – exhibition airworthiness certificate or a special category – limited airworthiness certificate issued in accordance with Part 21 remains valid only while the certificate of registration for the aircraft remains valid under paragraph (a).
(a) The holder of a New Zealand certificate of registration must notify the Director in accordance with paragraph (b)—
(1) within 14 days after becoming aware that the aircraft is—
(i) destroyed, lost or stolen; or
(ii) permanently withdrawn from use; or
(2) immediately upon the application for registration of the aircraft on the aircraft register of any other country.
(b) Notification under paragraph (a) must—
(1) be made in writing; and
(2) be signed by the certificate holder; and
(3) set out the circumstances of what has occurred; and
(4) be accompanied by the certificate of registration.
(a) An aircraft remains registered until—
(1) the holder of a certificate of registration requests the Director to revoke the certificate for the aircraft and the Director revokes the certificate; or
(2) the Director is satisfied that—
(i) the aircraft is destroyed, lost, or stolen; or
(ii) the aircraft is permanently withdrawn from use; or
(iii) a person lawfully entitled to possession of the aircraft for 28 days or longer has applied to register the aircraft in another country; or
(iv) the aircraft is registered in a country other than New Zealand—
and the Director revokes the certificate of registration; or
(3) the Director otherwise revokes the certificate of registration in accordance with the Act; or
(4) the Director—
(i) is satisfied that the certificate of registration has expired under rule 47.57(a); and
(ii) has not received an application under rule 47.53 within 14 days after the date on which the Director was satisfied the certificate had so expired.
(b) The Authority must cancel the entry for the aircraft in the New Zealand Register of Aircraft if the Director—
(1) revokes the certificate of registration of an aircraft in accordance with paragraph (a)(1), (2), or (3); or
(2) is satisfied of the matters in paragraph (a)(4).
(c) Despite paragraph (a)(1), the holder of a certificate of registration may not request the Director to revoke the certificate of registration for the aircraft if the Authority has recorded an irrevocable de-registration and export request authorisation submitted under section 438 of the Act in relation to the aircraft.
An aircraft registered by the Director in accordance with rule 47.55(a) has New Zealand nationality.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) the holder of a New Zealand certificate of registration must ensure that the aircraft associated with that certificate–
(1) displays the registration mark allocated under rule 47.103, and the nationality mark, in accordance with the requirements of rules 47.109 to 47.117; and
(2) displays an identification plate in accordance with the requirements of rule 47.119.
(b) The following types of New Zealand registered aircraft are not required to display the nationality mark when operating within New Zealand:
(1) aeroplanes with an MCTOW of 5700 kg or less:
(2) rotorcraft:
(3) gliders and powered gliders:
(4) manned balloons:
(5) aeroplanes operating pursuant to a special category airworthiness certificate issued under Part 21, Subpart H:
(c) The following types of New Zealand registered aircraft are not required to display the first letter of their registration mark when operating within New Zealand:
(1) helicopters, where the first letter of their registration mark is H:
(2) gliders and powered gliders:
(3) manned balloons, where the first letter of their registration mark is F.
(d) A New Zealand registered aircraft operating within New Zealand on a police operation authorised by the Commissioner of Police is not required to display its nationality mark or registration mark allocated under rule 47.103, if the aircraft displays a police mark allocated under rule 47.102.
(e) A New Zealand registered aircraft operating within New Zealand is not required to display its nationality mark or registration mark allocated under rule 47.103 if the aircraft displays an identifiable paint scheme and markings approved under rule 47.104.
(f) The holder of a certificate of registration for an aircraft that displays an approved identifiable paint scheme and markings under paragraph (e), must ensure that the aircraft continues to display the paint scheme and markings in accordance with rule 47.109.
A police mark for display on a New Zealand registered aircraft must comprise–
(1) The word POLICE followed by a number allocated by the Commissioner of Police; or
(2) A group of three letters reserved by the Director for allocation by the Commissioner of Police.
(a) The nationality mark of a New Zealand registered aircraft must be the capital letters ZK.
(b) The registration mark of a New Zealand registered aircraft must—
(1) be allocated to the aircraft by the Director; and
(2) be a group consisting of 3 letters appearing after and separated from the nationality mark by a hyphen.
(a) The holder of the certificate of registration for an aircraft issued with a special category airworthiness certificate in accordance with Part 21 Subpart H, may apply to the Director for approval to display an identifiable paint scheme and markings on the aircraft as an alternative to the display of the nationality and registration marks allocated under rule 47.103.
(b) The holder of a certificate of registration for a microlight aircraft, or an aircraft issued with a standard or restricted category airworthiness certificate in accordance with Part 21 Subpart H, may for historical reasons, apply to the Director for approval to display an identifiable paint scheme and markings on the aircraft as an alternative to the display of the nationality and registration marks allocated under rule 47.103.
(c) The applicant for the approval of an identifiable paint scheme and markings must complete the approved CAA form, which requires—
(1) the nationality and registration mark allocated to the aircraft by the Director; and
(2) a written description of the proposed identifiable paint scheme and markings of the aircraft; and
(3) a three-view set of colour drawings, photographs, sketches, or similar means of clearly depicting the proposed identifiable paint scheme and markings of the aircraft; and
(4) such further particulars as may be required by the Director or as indicated on the form regarding the aircraft or the holder of the certificate of registration—
and submit it to the Director with the payment of any applicable fees or charges prescribed by regulations made under the Act.
(d) The Director may approve the display of an identifiable paint scheme and markings, applied for under paragraph (a), if satisfied that the paint scheme and markings are sufficiently clear so as to distinguish the aircraft from other aircraft of the same or similar type and model.
(e) The Director may approve the display of an identifiable paint scheme and markings, applied for under paragraph (b), if satisfied that the paint scheme and markings are appropriate for historical or other special reasons, and are sufficiently clear so as to distinguish the aircraft from other aircraft of the same or similar type and model.
(f) The holder of a certificate of registration for an aircraft that has an identifiable paint scheme and markings approved under paragraph (d) or (e) on the basis of drawings or sketches, must provide the Director with a three-view set of photographs of the aircraft displaying the approved identifiable paint scheme and markings.
(a) The identifiable paint scheme and markings approved under rule 47.104 must be entered in the New Zealand Register of Aircraft in accordance with rule 47.55(b).
(a) The holder of a certificate of registration for an aircraft displaying an identifiable paint scheme and markings approved under rule 47.104, who intends to change the paint scheme or markings, must apply for approval of a new paint scheme and markings in accordance with rule 47.104.
(b) The holder of a certificate of registration for an aircraft displaying an identifiable paint scheme and markings approved under rule 47.104, who intends to discontinue the display of the paint scheme and markings must–
(1) notify the Director in writing accordingly; and
(2) mark the aircraft in accordance with rule 47.101.
(a) A person who intends to register an aircraft in the New Zealand register of aircraft may, on payment of any applicable fees or charges prescribed by regulations made under the Act, request the Director to reserve a registration mark.
(b) Upon receipt of a request under paragraph (a), the Director may reserve a registration mark for a period not exceeding 24 months if–
(1) the mark has not already been allocated or reserved; and
(2) the Director considers that the use of the mark would not be undesirable.
(c) A registration mark that has been reserved under paragraph (b) must not, while reserved, be allocated to an aircraft as a registration mark otherwise than at the request of the person on whose request the registration mark was reserved.
(a) The holder of a New Zealand certificate of registration may apply to the Director for a new registration mark to replace the mark allocated to the aircraft specified in the certificate.
(b) The applicant for a change of registration mark must apply in writing and submit to the Director—
(1) the certificate of registration; and
(2) the registration mark sought; and
(3) a payment of the appropriate fee prescribed by regulations made under the Act.
(c) On receiving an application under paragraph (b), the Director may withdraw the registration mark allocated to the aircraft and allocate the new registration mark.
(d) On allocation of a new registration mark under paragraph (c), the Authority must enter in the New Zealand Register of Aircraft the particulars of the new registration mark allocated to the aircraft.
(a) The nationality and registration marks required to be displayed under rule 47.101, or the identifiable paint scheme and markings approved under rule 47.104 must—
(1) be painted on the aircraft or affixed by any other means ensuring a similar degree of permanence; and
(2) be displayed to the best possible advantage having regard to the construction or features of the aircraft; and
(3) be kept clean and visible at all times.
(b) The letters and hyphen of the nationality and registration mark must be of one colour that contrasts clearly with the background on which they are painted or otherwise affixed.
(c) Police marks must be affixed to the aircraft by a means that will ensure the marks are displayed in accordance with the other requirements of this subpart for the duration of the police operation authorised by the Commissioner of Police.
(a) Airships must display the marks required under rule 47.101(a)–
(1) lengthwise on each side of the hulls near the maximum cross section of the airship and on the upper surface on the line of symmetry; or
(2) on the following stabilisers:
(i) the horizontal stabiliser, on the right half of the upper surface and on the left half of the lower surface with the tops of the letters towards the leading edge:
(ii) the vertical stabiliser, on each side of the bottom half stabiliser, with the letters placed horizontally.
(b) Spherical balloons must display the marks required under rule 47.101(a) in 2 places diametrically opposite and located near the maximum horizontal circumference of the balloon.
(c) Non-spherical balloons must display the marks required under rule 47.101(a) on each side, located near the maximum cross-section of the balloon and immediately above the rigging band or the points of attachment of the basket suspension cables.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d), aeroplanes, gliders, and powered gliders must display the marks required under rule 47.101(a)—
(1) once, on the lower surface of the wing structure. If the marks are confined to the outer half of the wing structure they must be located on the left lower surface. The tops of the letters must be towards the leading edge of the wing and so far as is possible, be equidistant from the leading and trailing edges of the wing; and
(2) horizontally on both sides of the fuselage between the wings and tail surfaces, or horizontally on the upper halves of the vertical tail surfaces. Marks on a single vertical tail surface must appear on both sides. Marks on multi-vertical tail surfaces must appear on the outboard sides of the outer surfaces.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (d), rotorcraft must display the marks required under rule 47.101(a)(1) in a prominent place not obscured in normal use—
(1) on the bottom surface of the fuselage or cabin; and
(2) symmetrically on both sides of the rotorcraft.
(c) Aeroplanes, gliders, and powered gliders, which operate exclusively within New Zealand, are not required to display marks on the lower surface of the wing structure.
(d) If an aeroplane, glider, powered glider, or rotorcraft—
(1) does not possess parts corresponding to those mentioned in the applicable paragraph of this rule; or
(2) the surface required to be marked in accordance with this rule is not large enough to accommodate the size of marks specified in rule 47.117—
the Director may approve marks, to be located elsewhere on the aircraft if—
(i) the marks are placed in a prominent place not obscured in normal use; and
(ii) the marks can be readily identified.
(a) The nationality and registration marks must consist of capital letters in Roman characters without ornamentation.
(b) The width of each letter (except the letter "I") and the length of the hyphen must be two-thirds of the height of the letter.
(c) Each letter must be separated from the letter which immediately precedes or follows it by a space not less than one-quarter the height of the individual letters, the hyphen being regarded as a letter for this purpose.
(d) The lines forming the letters and hyphen must be solid and the thickness of those lines must be one-sixth of the height of the letter.
(a) The nationality and registration marks displayed must be formed of letters of equal height and must be placed to leave a margin of at least 50 mm along each edge of any surface to which they are affixed.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), the height of the marks on aircraft must not be less than 250 mm.
(c) The Director may approve marks smaller than 250mm, but not less than 150mm in height, to be displayed on heavier-than-air aircraft if the aircraft does not have a surface large enough to accommodate marks 250mm in height.
(a) The identification plate required to be displayed under rule 47.101(a) must be etched, stamped, or engraved with the allocated nationality and registration marks.
(b) The identification plate must—
(1) be made of fireproof metal or other fireproof material of suitable physical properties; and
(2) be affixed to the aircraft in a prominent position near the main point of entrance to the aircraft.
A person must not place on any New Zealand registered aircraft any mark or symbol that modifies or obscures the nationality or registration marks, the approved identifiable paint scheme and markings, or the police mark, that are required to be displayed on the aircraft under this Part.
(a) Any holder of a certificate of registration who, before 24 January 2002, held an exemption granted in accordance with section 37 of the Civil Aviation Act 1990 to display an identifiable paint scheme and markings instead of the registration marks required under rule 47.101, is deemed to have that identifiable paint scheme and markings approved under rule 47.104(d) or (e) as appropriate.
(b) reserved
(c) Any holder of a certificate of registration, whose aircraft did not display the nationality mark and registration mark in the manner prescribed in rules 47.111 to 47.117 on 9 January 1998, must ensure that the marks displayed on the aircraft meet the requirements of rules 47.111 to 47.117 when the aircraft is painted, repainted, or remarked.
