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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Unintended consequences at the fuel bowser

A change to what’s displayed on BP fuel bowsers, and how it’s displayed, means pilots have to be particularly careful about following good fuelling practice.

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

Posted 9 days ago

RACAs – know what’s in the box...

. . . because your customers may not know the rules. Photo: iStock/chameleoneyes Incidents of lithium batteries overheating, smoking, and catching fire on aircraft are increasing globally.

Posted in Carriage of goods,

Posted 11 days ago

The trap of experience

With experience in aviation comes wisdom. But experience does not guarantee safety. The people involved in the accidents described here were skilled, experienced aviators.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism,

Posted 18 days ago

Safety around stationary aircraft

Even when an aircraft is parked and the engine is off, the hazards are real.

Posted in General safety,

Posted 25 days ago

Flying with medical issues

How ‘letters of conditions’ keep pilots in the sky – and safe.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism,

Posted 32 days ago

Improving safety in mixed manned and unmanned operations

All low-level flight operators are reminded to use Flight Advisor to help make sure they’re safe.

Posted in Operators, Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, Drones and model aircraft,

Posted 39 days ago

Don't ignore the cautionary light

When a warning light flickers on in the cockpit instrument panel, what’s your first instinct?

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

Posted 45 days ago

Writing an accurate, helpful TAF

Aerodrome forecasts – known as TAFs1 – pack a massive amount of information into a few lines. Here’s a look at how they’re written.

Posted in Aerodromes, Weather,

Posted 53 days ago

The ‘big sky’ is getting smaller

There have been 26 reports of close calls in Class G airspace, while enroute, since the beginning of 2025. Here are observations from some of them.

Posted in Pilot performance flying practice and professionalism, General safety,

Posted 53 days ago

Critical info for airworthiness

Aircraft service information There’s a plethora of service information for an aircraft. Here’s a summary for you to digest, then read 'Ignore service information at your peril' down below.

Posted in Operators, Aircraft owner and aircraft, Engineering and maintenance,

Posted 2 months ago

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