What's new

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 1.3 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 952 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 1.3 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

Funding review 2025-27

Part 77 proposal

• Crane at 56 Worcester Street, Christchurch
  Submissions close 27 November 2025

Airworthiness Directive Schedule Amendment Nr 25-10 - effective 30 October 2025 [PDF 1.3 MB]

Part 77 determinations

• Power pole at 52 Hansen Road, Frankton, Queenstown - hazard determined
• Crane at 31 Prices Road, Wiri - hazard determined

General Electric GEnx-1B/P2 Series [PDF 432 KB]

Type acceptance reports

Continuing Airworthiness Notice 65-002 MD Helicopters 369 Series - Tail Rotor Gearbox Casing Crack [PDF 661 KB]

Continuing airworthiness notices

Vector Online: Dawn of the Tāwhaki era

Aircraft register - updated [CSV 952 KB]

Aircraft register - updated [XLSX 1.2 MB]

Part 77 proposal

• Cranes at Ara Weiti Road, Stillwater
  Submissions close 21 November 2025

Physical addresses of regulated air cargo agents (RACA) updated (v174) [PDF 234 KB]

Guidance for applying agrichemicals and VTAs using unmanned aircraft

CASA AWB 27-024 Issue 1 - Possible Presence of Corrosion in PA-25 Jury Struts(external link)

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

CAA announces new Board Deputy Chair

Vector Online: You can always learn something, when things go wrong

Physical addresses of regulated air cargo agents (RACA) updated (v173) [PDF 234 KB]

Vector Online: An industry under pressure

CAA Briefing | October 2025(external link)

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

Part 157 determination

• Aerodrome conditional determination - Totara River Aerodrome

Vector Online: Near collision on take-off

Part 77 proposal

• Subdivision of 29 Flemington Place, Rotorua
  Submissions close 10 November 2025

Part 77 determination

• Crane at 27 Verissimo Drive, Mangere, Auckland - hazard determined

Part 77 proposals

• Subdivision of 29 Flemington Place, Rotorua
• Height extension for crane at 170 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch
  Submissions close 10 November 2025

Aircraft register has been restored

Vector Online: MET changes

Type acceptance report: Boeing 777 Series - Revision 3 [PDF 760 KB]

Part 77 determinations

• Wharenui Road Reserve adjacent to 533 Te Ngai Road, Rotorua - hazard determined
• Crane at 85 Main North Road, Papanui, Christchurch - no hazard - no hazard determined

2025 Safety Manager Network Days schedule now available

CASA AWB 02-070 Issue 1 - Kavanagh Balloons Deflation System Control Line Inspections [PDF 123 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Part 77 proposal

• Solar Panels at 19 Girvin Road, Mount Maunganui
  Submissions close 29 October 2025

Vector Online: What could go wrong?