Rules Update Programme - summary of projects

Project nearly complete; Rules with Minister for final signoff.

• The rule changes requirements for senior persons for parachute-drop aircraft operations, special aircraft operations, and glider and glider tow aircraft operations. This will ensure that the requirements for people in Senior Person roles are appropriate and reflect the specialised nature of 115 operations. The need for exemptions has been removed.

Project nearly complete; Rules with Minister for final signoff.

• The rule change removes and replaces references to outdated standards and requirements (for example, for emergency equipment); and begins the modernisation of the structure of Part 91 by providing for making transport instruments that set out technical standards and requirements.

Currently consulting on proposed rule change. Consultation closes 11 May.

• The proposals aim to resolve issues with RESA length requirements and allow for the use of arresting systems at New Zealand airports, consistent with ICAO standards and recommended practices.
• A Runway End Safety Area is an area at the end of a runway that reduces aircraft damage and improves safety if an aircraft underruns or overruns the runway. A RESA can incorporate an arresting system. An arresting system is a safety mechanism designed to decelerate an aeroplane overrunning the runway.

In progress: discovery phase.

This project aims to address audit findings to enhance safety in air operations through rules for locating an aircraft in distress, safety requirements for single-engine aircraft, and standards for safety equipment (for example, emergency beacons).

In progress: discovery phase.

This project aims to align with multiple ICAO standards and recommended procedures for aviation security relating to air cargo – including catering and in-flight supplies – and related staff training, to further minimise the risk of dangerous items boarding aircraft.

In progress: discovery phase.

• This project aims to enable recognition of foreign Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisations from countries with safety and oversight standards in line with New Zealand’s; and to allow aircraft, engine or propeller modifications from the European Union, as NZ already does for those approved by USA, Australia, and Canada.
• This will significantly reduce administrative burden, compliance costs and processing delays on the aviation sector.

In progress: discovery phase.

This project will investigate the most effective ways to enable agricultural drone use that avoid unnecessary compliance costs and will recommend a regulatory approach, which may not require a rule change. The proposal will be considered for progression in the first 6-month programme review.

Start scheduled Q3 2026.

This project will address audit findings about:

• Aircraft certification and airworthiness (Parts 21, 43, 145, 146, 26), for example definitions for modifications, reporting of technical problems, and requirements for maintenance organisations, manuals, and programmes.
• Air navigation services and aeronautical information (Parts 12, 71, 171, 172, 173, 175), including search and rescue services requirements, Quality Management Systems, and contingency plans for disruption to air traffic services and/or radio communications.
• Aerodromes (Part 139) to introduce criteria for aircraft weight and pavement strength.
• Dangerous goods training programmes and procedures (these items may be transferred to the Part 92 – Dangerous Goods review).

Start scheduled Q3 2026.

This project aims to improve cybersecurity practices and reduce our systems’ vulnerability to cyberattack and/or poor digital security practices.

This will consider:

• establishing minimum requirements and related standards
• setting up oversight mechanisms, including to maintain awareness of emerging threats. 

This project will require significant policy investigation and coordination across agencies and may affect multiple rule parts relevant to aviation safety and security. The project links to separate Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet work on enhancing the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure.

Start scheduled Q3 2026.

This project will review Part 61 to improve training, licensing, and progression – particularly for commercial, private, and specialist operations – to align with ICAO and other countries. The review aims to increase flexibility, modernise requirements and address multiple issues and opportunities, for example:

• modernising training syllabi
• creating clearer and more flexible pathways for pilot qualifications
• reviewing rules about instructors and examiners
• clarifying rules for remote and uncrewed aircraft operators (including drones)
• considering licensing and training needs for emerging technologies—such as powered lift and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Start scheduled Q3 2026.

This is a significant project to modernise how we regulate Air Traffic Services, including reviewing the minimum age for air traffic controllers which currently presents challenges for workforce management and development. It also aims to improve flexibility so New Zealand can allow for changing technologies, by replacing some prescriptive requirements with performance-based rules and aligning with ICAO standards and recommended practices.

Start scheduled August 2026.

This project will improve alignment with international best practice for aircraft security checks and searches. It will also enhance security for international flights by reviewing requirements for security management plans and procedures.

Start scheduled Q3 2026.

This project will review the latest ICAO standards recommendations about drones – such as airworthiness standards, and communication between pilots and remotely piloted aircraft – and incorporate them into our rules where appropriate. This will enable further safe integration of drones into New Zealand’s aviation system.

Start scheduled Q3 2026.

This project aims to clarify criteria and expectations for these licenses by prescribing examination details in rules or transport instruments, which are enforceable, rather than in guidance material.

Start scheduled Q1 2027.

This project will comprehensively review how we regulate Dangerous Goods in aviation to align with ICAO, fill regulatory gaps, resolve confusion, and reduce the need for exemptions.

Some of the areas already identified are:

• dangerous goods training
• allowing agencies other than the Police (such as Fire and Emergency New Zealand) to carry dangerous goods in emergency situations
• clarifying confusing requirements, including about exceptions
• Increasing oversight of the complete supply chain for dangerous goods, not just aviation operators.

Start scheduled Q1 2027.

This project aims to modernise rules about carrying portable electronic devices (PEDs), such as mobile phones, airtags and airpods. Many of these items are currently permitted to travel through the use of exemptions to the rules, but international developments show that they can travel safely in many cases.

This change is intended to allow PEDs based on an airline’s specific circumstances (for example, how they operate or the type of aircraft) which will reduce the need for exemptions and associated administrative burden for CAA and the sector.

Start scheduled Q1 2027.

This project will make the rule more flexible and easier to update by moving technical detail into a series of transport instruments which can be updated by the Director of Civil Aviation, rather than the Minister of Transport.

Start scheduled Q2 2027.

Windshear is a sudden change in wind speed and/or direction which is a serious safety hazard to aviation. This project will consider New Zealand’s approach to windshear warnings, aiming to align with ICAO standards which emphasise proactive and automated warnings.

Start scheduled April 2027.

This project aims to reduce costs on the sector by considering new security tiers for different types of airport, which may allow different methods for managing security while still effectively mitigating risk.

Start scheduled Q2 2027.

Different rules currently prescribe different runway strip widths which results in inconsistencies and burden for aerodromes and in some cases, unnecessary construction costs. This project will review the requirements to improve alignment with ICAO, enable airport development, and maintain safety standards.

Start scheduled Q2 2027.

This project is a significant review of how we regulate aircraft and product certification. It aims to make use of new regulatory tools and performance-based regulation to make the rules more flexible, adaptable and responsive to technological and other changes within the aviation sector.

This project will address multiple specific issues with this rule part, including, among other things:

• Light Sport Aircraft certification²
• new types of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft
• uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) equipage
• ICAO environmental certification standards (noise, emissions, CO₂).

Start scheduled Q2 2027.

The project will review how we regulate rockets to ensure the rules are modern, aligned with current rocket capabilities and related legislation, and able to support safe launch activities. This work aims to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden, address gaps in rocket classifications and oversight, and ensure New Zealand has an up‑to‑date, future‑proof framework for managing rocket launches.

Start scheduled Q3 2027.

Use of uncrewed aircraft is increasing but rules for operating them at aerodromes may be excessive for small scale operations. This project will review Part 102 to ensure suitable oversight. This project links to Ministry of Transport work on airspace integration.