What's new

Part 77 determinations

• Wind monitoring mast, Table Hill Road, Southland - hazard determined
• Wind monitoring mast on vacant land, Southland - hazard determined

New page in the drones section: Maintenance

Continuing Airworthiness Notice - 27-032 AS350 Helicopters Tail Rotor Pitch Control Rod – Damaged Ball Joint [PDF 332 KB]

Continuing Airworthiness Notices

Vector Online: Don't make life-threatening situations worse

EASA Emergency AD 2026-0095-E Cabri G2 helicopters Main Rotor Mast – Inspection [PDF 314 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Notice of proposal for construction of a heliport – Buller Health Medical Centre, Westport

Submissions close 26 May 2026.

Part 77 determinations

• Tower cranes at Cumberland Street, Castle Street and St. Andrew Street, Dunedin - hazard determined
• Crane at 292 Main South Road, Hornby - no hazard determined
• Crane at Nelson Marina, Cross Quay, Nelson - no hazard determined

FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) AIR760-2026-01-S-5500-ACS: Cessna 172 Series Tail Skid Bracket deformation could result in Rudder Jamming [PDF 270 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

The Director of Civil Aviation Authority has granted a class exemption commencing 18 May 2026, permitting any Australian professional pilot applying to the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand for license recognition under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (TTMRA).

Docket no.: 26/EXE/49 [PDF 639 KB]
Description: Exemption from the requirement in Civil Aviation Rule Part 61.35(a)(1)(ii)
Issue date: 18 May 2026
Commencement date: 18 May 2026
Expiry date: 17 May 2031

This class exemption replaces the general exemption 18/EXE/21 [PDF 177 KB] which expires on 17 May 2026.

Class exemptions

Pending rules and transport instruments

Coming into force 12 June 2026:

• Part 91 amendment 1
• Part 115 amendment 2
• Civil Aviation (Flights over water) Transport Instrument CATI 91.525
• Civil Aviation (Emergency equipment) Transport Instrument CATI 91.523
• Civil Aviation (Pressure altimeters) Transport Instrument CATI 91.509

Night flying: Beautiful but hazardous

FAA SAIB 2023-03R2 Helicopter Crash Resistant Fuel Systems [PDF 189 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

CAN 76-001 Gippsland GA8 - Throttle Cable Installation Inspection [PDF 138 KB]

Continuing Airworthiness Notices

Part 77 determination

• Permanent structure at 73 Ahuriri Street, Strathmore Park, Wellington - hazard determined

Vector Online: Mid-flight change of plans made a routine job high-risk

Civil Aviation rules update work launched

Details of the CAA’s Rules Update programme have now been released. The programme comprises 23 projects which address the most pressing issues in terms of safety and security, international alignment, enabling innovation, modernising regulation, and supporting economic growth.

Rules Update Programme

Part 77 proposals

• Crane at 42 Liffey Street, Invercargill
  Submissions close 1 June 2026
• Wind Mast at Woodville, Tararua District
  Submissions close 1 June 2026
• Tower Crane at Murchison Road, Queenstown
  Submissions close 5 June 2026
• Wind Turbines at Mount Cass Wind Farm, Canterbury
  Submissions close 5 June 2026

Part 77 determination

• Crane at 22 James Street, Plimmerton, Porirua - no  hazard determined

Airworthiness Directives Schedule Amendment Nr 26-04 - effective 23 Apr 2026

FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) 20 Apr 2026 [PDF 316 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Vector Online: Evading the wires

EASA Emergency AD 2026-0080 [PDF 218 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

AC139-18 - Aerodrome Security

CAA appoints new Chief Digital Officer

Part 77 proposal

• Telecommunication Tower at Farm Street, Mount Maunganui
  Submissions close 15 May 2026

Part 77 determinations

• Cranes at 70 Westpoint Drive, Hobsonville, Auckland - hazard determined
• Crane at 7 Wynyard Street, Auckland University, Auckland - no hazard determined
• Crane at 126 Hutt Road, Kaiwharawhara, Wellington - no hazard determined

Part 77 determination

• Crane at 1 Rolleston Road, Clandeboye - hazard determined

AC121-7 & AC125-2, Rev 3, Ditching - Techniques, Hazards, and Survival  - draft for consultation [PDF 777 KB]

Comments close 14 May 2026.

Advisory Circulars open for consultation

FAA SAIB 2026-10R1 Torso Restraint Systems and Safety Belts installed in general aviation aircraft [PDF 417 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

EASA AD 2026-0077 TAE 125-02-125 Engine Coolant Contamination [PDF 231 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Vector Online: The big improve

Part 77 proposals

• Cranes at 2 Langley Road, Wiri
  Submissions close 11 May 2026.
• Building at 31 Prices Road, Wiri
  Submissions close 12 May 2026

EASA Emergency AD 2026-0078-E MBB-BK117 D-3 and D-3m helicopters main rotor hub - shaft inspection [PDF 221 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Open for submission:

Part 139 NPRM

Advisory Circular AC139-19 Arresting Aircraft Systems

Submissions close 11 May 2026.

CASA AWB 85-023 Issue 4 - Piston engine spark plug care and insulator cracking [PDF 397 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Physical addresses of regulated air cargo agents (RACA) updated (v181) [PDF 312 KB]

Aircraft register - updated

Rule projects in progress - updated

Airspace review consultation: Proposed mandatory broadcast area – Milford Sound

2026 airspace reviews

New GAP booklet revision: In, out, and around Cook Strait

The area around Cook Strait can provide some beautiful scenic flying experiences. This new Good Aviation Practice (GAP) booklet is designed to give pilots information, tips, and warnings about operating in, out, and around this airspace. It must be supplemented with up-to-date charts, AIP Supplements, and NOTAMs before flying, along with sufficient ground-based study, if you’re unfamiliar with the airspace.

Download a digital copy [PDF 8.5 MB] or request a free printed copy using our online order form.

Good Aviation Practice booklets

FAA SAIB 2026-10 Torso Restraint Systems and Safety Belts installed in general aviation aircraft [PDF 411 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Physical addresses of regulated air cargo agents (RACA) updated (v180) [PDF 312 KB]

Part 77 determination

• Crane at 163 Hillcrest Road, Hamilton - hazard determined

Vector Online: Safety isn't static... and neither is your SMS

Continuing Airworthiness Notice - 57-005 - Tecnam P2008 Fuselage Extrusion P/N 28-2-1095-1 Attachment Lugs - Corrosion [PDF 428 KB]

Continuing Airworthiness Notices

FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) dated 2 April 2026: Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34 and PA-44 series aircraft, all S/N - Corrosion of Forward Wing Spar Attachment [PDF 1.6 MB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

CAA Notices

Safe Haven

A new way to declare changes to your medical status.

We’ve updated the way we handle and direct your calls. The phone number for all CAA locations and enquiries is now +64 4 560 9400.

Contact us

EASA AD 2026-0071 Tecnam P2006T and P2006T NG aircraft:  Engine Shock Mounts - Inspection / Replacement [PDF 217 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Vector Online: Flying now feels safer at unattended aerodromes

Part 77 determinations

• Crane at 38 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch - no hazard determined
• Crane at 256 Queen Street, Auckland - hazard determined

EASA AD 2026-0067 DA 42 aircraft embodied with EASA STC 10048730 Exhaust Pipes – Modification / Inspection [PDF 220 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Aircraft register - updated

Easter Bunny and CAA share egg-spert tips to pack smart

The Director of Civil Aviation Authority has granted a class exemption permitting any holder of a Part 119/135 Air Operator Certificate that operates an Augusta Westland AW (AW169) helicopter manufactured by Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly Finmeccanica Helicopter Division, AgustaWestland) under European Union Aviation Safety Agency Type Certificate No. R. 509, to not be equipped with a ‘crash’ axe.

Docket#: 26/EXE/25
Description: Exemption from the requirement in Civil Aviation Rule 135.363(1) and 91.523(b)
Issue date: 1 April 2026
Expiry date: 31 March 2031

Class exemptions

AC174-1 Rev 4 Aviation Meteorological Service Organisations - draft for consultation [PDF 606 KB]

Comments close 30 April 2026.

Advisory Circulars open for consultation

    CAA Briefing | March 2026(external link)

Airworthiness Directive Schedule Amendment Nr 26-03 - effective 26 March 2026 [PDF 1.1 MB]

Licensing and standards guidance

We’ve launched a new page to make it easier to access and refer to important standards and licensing information.

FAA SAIB 2026-08 Amphibian floats embodied by STCs SA01320CH, SA01156CH, SA01272CH, SA01185CH, or SA01412CH or installed as part of the type design of Type Certificate 3A23 [PDF 151 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Latest issue of Vector

Vector magazine: The autumn issue 2026 is now available online.

Part 77 determination

• Crane at the Air Traffic Control Tower, Auckland Airport - no hazard determined

New improved phone system being launched 1 April 2026

Part 77 proposal

• Crawler Crane at Nelson Marina 3 Cross Quay, Port Nelson
  Submissions close 20 April 2026.

Aircraft register - updated

CAA appoints new Chief Financial Officer

FAA UPN 2026-AAE-EHL-20250805-430 Fiberlites and all sub-assembly articles manufactured and sold by Superior Panel Technology for installation on FAA type-certificated products(external link)

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Part 77 proposal

• Alter a Structure at Invercargill Prison, 42 Liffey St
  Submissions close 15 April 2026.

Part 77 proposals

• Met Mast at Netherton near Milton
• Met Mast at Skilibister near Milton

Submissions for both close 15 April 2026.

Vector Online: Unexpected danger at the fuel bowser

Aircraft register - updated

FAA SAIB 2026-06: Light-Sport Category Aircraft Continued Airworthiness [PDF 273 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

Part 77 proposal

• Mobile Crane at Ravensdown 292 Main South Road, Hornby, Christchurch
  Submissions close 8 April 2026

Vector Online: Capping a preflight

Updated LAME rating designations [PDF 467 KB] 

Part 77 proposal

• Tower Cranes at Cumberland St, Castle St and St Andrew St, Dunedin
  Submissions close 1 April 2026 

Part 77 determination

• Cranes sited on each side of East Coast Road, Silverdale, Auckland - no hazard determined

Type acceptance report: Tecnam 2012 [PDF 461 KB]

Type acceptance reports

Vector Online: The value of double-checking even the basics

The Director of Civil Aviation has granted a class exemption permitting any person operating a rocket within 8km* of the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre (NZTJ).

Docket: 26/EXE/14 [PDF 2 MB]
Description: Exemption requirement in Civil Aviation Rule 101.155 (b)(1), (4), (5) and (c)
Issue date: 28 February 2026
Commencement date: 1 March 2026
Expiry date: 1 March 2028

Class exemptions

Transport Canada AD CF-2025-62 Bell 505 Helicopters - Aft Moveable Ballast Box Assembly Door Hinge Failure [PDF 130 KB]

Emergency airworthiness directives

Physical addresses of regulated air cargo agents (RACA) updated (v179) [PDF 312 KB]

Part 77 proposal

• Wellington Contingency Tower at 73 Ahuriri St, Strathmore Park, Wellington
  Submissions close 31 March 2026

Part 77 proposal

• Crane at 126 Hutt Road, Kaiwharawhara, Wellington
  Submissions close 31 March 2026

FAA SAIB 2026-05: Rotorcraft Loss of Control Prevention/Recovery Systems [PDF 198 KB]

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories

CASA AWB 62-008 Issue 2 - UH-1B Bell 204 TT Strap P/N 204-011-113-1(external link)

FAA UPN 2025-AAE-EHL-20250422-416 Univair Aircraft Corporation (Stinson) Model 108, 108-1, 108-2, and 108-3 aircraft embodied with STC SA963NW(external link)

Other authorities' airworthiness advisories