What's new

Part 77 determinations

• Mobile crane at Auckland International Airport - hazard determined
• Crane at State Highway 1, Raramai Tunnel, Peketa - no hazard determined
• Crane at 4 Newry Drive, Palmerston North - hazard determined

Aircraft register - updated [CSV 945 KB]

Aircraft register - updated [XLSX 1.2 MB]

Minutes of June 2025 ACAG meeting [PDF 230 KB]

Aviation Community Advisory Group (ACAG)

Airworthiness Directive Schedule Amendment Nr 26-01 - effective 29 January 2026 [PDF 1.8 MB]

Part 77 proposal

• Temporary mobile crane at Fred Ladd Way, Auckland Airport
  Submissions close 24 February 2026

Vector Online: An oil leak’s journey through Swiss cheese

Advisory Circulars AC146-1 Aircraft Design Organisations, and AC146-2 Delegations for the approval of design changes

AC146-2 is a new AC. It provides guidance on the granting of a delegation for the approval of design changes in accordance with Section 462 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023. The AC should be read in conjunction with the new revision of AC146-1 Aircraft Design Organisations.

Comments close Friday 27 February 2026.

Advisory Circulars open for consultation

Safety Manager Network Days

We’ve updated the schedule for the 2026 Safety Manager Network Days.

FAA SAIB 2026-03: EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT, Orion Safety Products Skyblazer II Red XLT Aerial Signal [PDF 188 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

NPRMs open for submission

Changes to Part 91 Subpart F and Subpart I– Instrument and Equipment Requirements

Consultation closes 20 February 2026.

List of acceptable technical data accepted by CAR 21.503(a) Rev 27 [PDF 437 KB]

Design changes and modifications

Vector Online: Zoned out

Minutes of the ACAG meeting March 2025 [PDF 237 KB]

Aviation Community Advisory Group (ACAG)

Vector Online: Flying through parachute landing areas. Like, don't

UK CAA MPD 2026-002-E Eurofox aircraft, all models, all S/N - Rudder Pedal/Rudder Pedal Torque Tube Inspection [PDF 171 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Investigations - Operational policy [PDF 321 KB]

AMOC 4695 for Cessna 150 and 152 aircraft affected by DCA/CESS150/144 (FAA AD 2011-10-09 refers) Seat Adjustment Mechanism – Inspection and Replacement [PDF 465 KB]

Cessna Report No S-150-ATA25 01RD Revision A dated 3 August 2011 [PDF 1.3 MB]

Documents incorporated by reference in AD schedules

Vector Online: Positive outcome of a close call

EASA SIB 2025-11 (Correction) Chemical Oxygen Generators – Instructions for Disposal [PDF 184 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

EASA Emergency AD 2025-0298-E Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK117 - Main Rotor Swashplate [PDF 210 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

FAA SAIB 2025-11: Cessna 150 and 152 Series Aircraft - Rudder Control System(external link)

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Vector Online: The menace that is the lithium battery

Consultation on Civil Aviation Authority Notice of Requirement - Definition of a Crewmember

The purpose of this consultation is to seek feedback on a proposed Civil Aviation Authority Notice for additional crew members made under Civil Aviation Rule 91.227E to define an additional crew member as per paragraph 3A of the crew member definition in Civil Aviation Rules Part 1. 

We are seeking targeted feedback regarding some of the proposed crew member functions.  

The consultation closes at 9am on Monday 9 February 2026.

2026 Safety Manager Network Days

Part 77 determinations

• Cranes at 11 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch - hazard determined
• Housing subdivision at 29 Flemington Place, Tikitere, Rotorua - hazard determined
• Cranes at 22 Stanley Street, Parnell, Auckland - no hazard determined

NPRM coming soon: Proposed changes to Part 91 Subpart F – Instrument and Equipment Requirements

This will be open for consultation in late January 2026.

Updated Civil Aviation Rules for drones and advanced aviation now in effect

CAA Briefing | December 2025(external link)

Physical addresses of regulated air cargo agents (RACA) updated (v177) [PDF 234 KB]

Part 77 determinations

• Crane at 100 Prices Road, Wiri, Auckland - hazard determined
• Crane at 56 Worcester Street, Christchurch - no hazard determined

Safety message: Passenger and crew awareness on the risks of lithium batteries

NPRM: CAR, Part 115 open for submission 

Submissions close Monday 9 February 2026.

Physical addresses of regulated air cargo agents (RACA) updated (v176) [PDF 234 KB]

Airworthiness Directive Schedule Amendment Nr 25-12 - effective 18 December 2025 [PDF 1.8 MB]

Consultation on Advisory Circular AC91-26

This AC describes an acceptable means of compliance with Performance-based communication and surveillance (PBCS) requirements and the way these relate to flight planning and operations. This AC relates to Civil Aviation Rule Parts 91.265 and 91.267. It should be read alongside AC91-21, Operational approvals – Performance-based navigation and Notice of Requirement NTC 91.267.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 2 February 2026.

Vector Online: FOD in the cockpit

Consultation on Civil Aviation Authority Notice of Requirement - PBCS

The purpose of this consultation is to seek feedback on the proposed Civil Aviation Authority Notice for using Performance Based Communications Surveillance (PBCS) under rule 91.267(a). A new rule 91.265 provides for the requirements for PBCS. A person is prohibited to operate an aircraft under IFR using PBCS unless all the requirements specified in a notice under 91.267 are met.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 2 February 2026.

CAA educational offerings research report [PDF 3.1 MB]

Final investigation report 2025-00556 [PDF 1.4 MB]

Lessons learned from accidents

Vector Online: When the middle ground is not the safe place to be

Pending rules and transport instruments

Part 125 Amendment 1 - Air Operation - Medium Aeroplanes

This rule is effective from 27 February 2026.

Part 77 proposal

• Met Mast near Ongaroto Road, Kinleith
  Submissions close 23 January 2026

Airworthiness and Maintenance Workshop in 2026

We’ve opened registrations for the AMW in 2026 – find out dates and locations, as well as register to secure your spot.

List of Part 102 unmanned aircraft operators updated

Part 77 proposal

• Two cranes sited on each side of East Coast Road Silverdale
  Submissions close 23 January 2026

CASA AWB 64-003 Issue 1 - Bell 47 HAC Tail Rotor Blade Leading Edge(external link)

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

TRIAL Advisory Circular AC101-1A - Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) under 25 kilograms - Operating in compliance with Part 101 Rules

Part 77 proposals

• Crane at Otapiri-Mandeville Road, Hokonui Hills 9777, Southland
• Crane at Majestic Centre, Wellington

Submissions for both close 23 January 2026.

Aircraft register - updated [CSV 945 KB]

Aircraft register - updated [XLSX 1.2 MB]

FAA SAIB HQ-14-16R1: Non-conforming standard fasteners, MS 21042 and NAS 1291 nuts and NAS 625 bolts [PDF 280 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Consultation on Civil Aviation Authority Notice of Requirement NVIS

We're seeking feedback on a Civil Aviation Authority Notice that proposes requirements for helicopter operators engaged in operations at night using night vision imaging systems (NVIS) requirements. This notice is made under Civil Aviation Rule 91.273(a) which was amended on 5 April 2025.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 2 February 2026.

Safran Arrano 1 [PDF 427 KB]

Type acceptance reports

Class exemption granted:

Docket: 26/EXE/32 [PDF 244 KB]
Description: Exemption from the Requirement in Civil Aviation Rule 115.577(3)
Issue date: 10 December 2025
Expiry date: 9 December 2030

Class exemptions

Latest issue of Vector: Summer 2025

Part 77 proposals

• Crawling crane at Arvida Queenstown Country Club
• Crane at 4 Newry Drive, Palmerston North
• Dismantling a Light Tower at 47 Spey Street, Invercargill

Submissions for these have been updated from 5 January to 23 January 2026

Class exemption granted:

Docket: 26/EXE/20 [PDF 1.3 MB]
Description: Exemption from the Requirement in Civil Aviation Rule 125.361(d)(7)
Issue date: 8 December 2025
Expiry date: 31 March 2026

Class exemptions

CAA urges travellers to carry power banks and spare lithium batteries with them

Vector Online: Summer traffic busy spots

EASA SIB 2025-10 - Arriel 1 Engines - Module 03 - TU377 Modification Implementation [PDF 817 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Part 77 proposal

• Crawling crane at Arvida Queenstown Country Club
  Submissions close 5 January 2026

UK CAA MPD 2025-006-E [PDF 156 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Part 77 proposals

• Crane at 4 Newry Drive, Palmerston North
• Dismantling a light tower at 47 Spey Street, Invercargill
  Submissions for both close 5 January 2026

Vector Technical: Knowing the hallmarks of vortex ring state

Class exemption granted:

Docket: 26/EXE/91 [PDF 1.5 MB]
Description: Exemption from the Requirement in Civil Aviation Rule 91.419(c)(2)
Issue date: 3 December 2025
Expiry date: 4 December 2030

Class exemptions

Research and development organisation certification

Airspace review: Proposed Amendments to the Queenstown Control Zone

EASA Emergency AD 2025-0267-E Rotax 915 i and 916 i Series Engines - Propeller Gearbox [PDF 197 KB]

Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 Bell 505 Helicopters - Elongated Holes and Gaps on Tail cone Assembly Inspection [PDF 181 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

CAA statement on Airbus A320 software issue

Annual Report for 2024-25 financial year [PDF 4.1 MB]

Part 77 proposal

• Crane at SH1 Raramai Tunnell, Peketa, Canterbury
  Submissions close 5 January 2026

Forms for Part 107 - Research and Development Organisation Certification

Part 107 Application for issue of a research and development organisation certificate [PDF 1.6 MB]

Part 107 Research and Development Organisation – compliance matrix [PDF 1.1 MB]

Note: Part 107 comes into effect on 22 December. For more information, see pending rules.

Airspace review: Proposed Visual Reporting Point - Rotorua

Airworthiness Directive Schedule Amendment Nr 25-11 - effective 27 November 2025 [PDF 1.8 MB]

Media release: Clearer rules and a new pathway to support innovation in NZ’s skies

New GAP revision: In, out, and around Christchurch [PDF 8.8 MB]

Part 77 proposals

• Crane at Auckland International Airport
  Submissions close 24 December 2026

GAP Online: How to be a chief flying instructor

Emergency airworthiness directives

• EASA AD 2025-0262-E

NPRMs closed for submission

• Advanced Aviation Reform Summary of Public Submissions

Part 77 proposal

• Met Mast at Schick Road, Te Kopuru

Part 77 determinations

• Crane at 170 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central, Christchurch
• Crane at the Christchurch Airport Terminal building
• Wind Farm Turbines at 136 Colyer, Awarua, Southland
• Crane at 1 Tod Street, Castlecliff, Whanganui

New pending rules and transport instruments

Emergency airworthiness directives

• FAA AD 2025-23-08 Cessna 182Q and 182R Intercooler Inlet and Outlet Hoses - Inspection
• Transport Canada AD CF-2025-21R1 Bell 407 and 427 Main Rotor Expandable Blade Bolts - Incorrect Heat Treatment

NPRM: CAR, Part 125 open for submission 

New Advisory Circular revision 

AC139-16, Revision 1 - Wildlife Hazard Management at Aerodromes [PDF 590 KB]

Part 157 determinations

• Aerodrome Conditional Determination - Motueka Aerodrome
• Aerodrome Conditional Determination - Takaka Aerodrome

CASA AWB 32-029 Issue 1 - Wipaire STC Amphibian Float System -  Main Gear Slide Wear in Marine Environments [PDF 343 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Physical addresses of regulated air cargo agents (RACA) updated (v175) [PDF 234 KB]

Part 77 proposal

• Crane at 100 Prices Road, Wiri, Auckland
  Submissions close 8 December 2025

Airbus A318/A319/A320/A321 - Revision 3 [PDF 1.1 MB]

Type acceptance reports

EASA Emergency AD 2025-0249-E Airbus Helicopters EC 130 Tail Rotor Drive – Centre Shaft Assembly – Replacement(external link)

Emergency airworthiness directives

CAA approves electric aircraft for demonstration flights in NZ

Vector Online: Teaching differently

Advisory Circulars monthly report - October 2025 [PDF 300 KB]

CAA's strategy