Vector Online | aviation.govt.nz

Read our special 'online' Vector stories here. Some are unique to the website, and some have featured in print issues of Vector.

Note: This archive dates back to 2015. So, the advice in some of the earlier articles may have changed.

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FOD in the cockpit

Everyday items lost in the cockpit, foreign object debris (FOD), can jam essential controls. Two such incidents occurred in 2025. This virtually unscathed pencil caused a life-threatening event.

When the middle ground is not the safe place to be

A CAA investigation into a March 2025 fatal accident has highlighted the critical need to position safely, before trying to turn in a valley.

Posted in When things go wrong, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism,

Posted 6 days ago

Summer traffic busy spots 2025-26

This page shows major flying events, known at the time of publishing, between mid-December 2025 and March 2026.

Posted 13 days ago

Vector Technical: Knowing the hallmarks of vortex ring state

This is the first in a new series called Vector Technical, which you'll be able to access in the category filter of the Vector Online landing page.

Posted in Vector Technical, Rotary operations, Instruction instructors and training, Agricultural operations, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Preflight and postflight,

Posted 18 days ago

Teaching differently

A talented and passionate aviator built a life-size 737 simulator in his garage. It was used by airline pilots.

Posted in Instruction instructors and training,

Posted 47 days ago

Dawn of the Tāwhaki era

Unmanned aircraft crews now have a dedicated bit of New Zealand airspace in which to test their cutting-edge aircraft.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Airspace, Aircraft owner and aircraft,

Posted 54 days ago

You can always learn something, when things go wrong

From the CAA’s Investigations team. Collaborate with other PCBUs at the same worksite Photo: iStock.

Posted in When things go wrong,

Posted 2 months ago

An industry under pressure

Keeping instructors is a major challenge for training organisations. But with good planning and the right attitude, they have a better chance.

Posted in Instruction instructors and training,

Posted 2 months ago

Lessons learned from accidents - You can always learn something, when things go wrong

From the CAA’s Investigations team.

Posted in When things go wrong,

Posted 2 months ago

Near collision on take-off

An itinerant pilot learned the hard way that checking the AIP at an unfamiliar aerodrome could be a lifesaver.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, When things go wrong, Aerodromes,

Posted 2 months ago

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