Good Aviation Practice (GAP) Booklets

If you would like to order printed copies of any of these free booklets, just contact us

Bird Hazard GAP cover Bird Hazards (182Kb)

Bird strikes tend to happen between 50 and 800 feet during the takeoff and landing phases. A bird strike can have great impact and serious consequences on aircraft. This booklet gives examples of bird incidents, and explains the reasons behind why this problem occurs.

There are also some handy bird control measures that are featured, and also a “how to” section on reporting bird hazards or incidents.

Revised Apr 03
Chief Pilot GAP cover Chief Pilot (953 Kb)

Chief Pilots are the conduit between pilots, management, and the Civil Aviation Rules.  The booklet explains what the term ‘Chief Pilot’ actually means and details the requirements of the role. The importance of company manuals is highlighted as is the need to ensure that the manuals comply with the Rules, at the very minimum. 

The booklet also features some useful tips on how Chief Pilots can cope with commercial pressures.


Revised 2000
Fuel Management GAP Cover Fuel Management (737 Kb)

Fuel starvation and fuel exhaustion accidents and incidents continue to occur in New Zealand. The reasons for many of these preventable occurrences often relate to pilots’ poor aircraft fuel system knowledge, lack of pre-flight planning, inadequate pre-flight checks, failure to accurately monitor in-flight fuel consumption, and inability to take decisive action when faced with a low-fuel state.

 This booklet examines these factors and others, and contains practical advice intended to make you more proficient at fuel management.

Revised Feb 08
Helicopter Performance GAP cover Helicopter Performance (813 Kb)

Performance-related helicopter accidents are fairly frequent in New Zealand. This booklet examines the factors affecting performance such as weight, air density, wind, ground effect, slope, and surface. The booklet provides guidance to help pilots ensure a proposed operation can be accomplished safely.

There is a also a section containing worked performance examples, and further examples that pilots can test themselves on.

Revised Nov 02
In, Out and Around Auckland (4 Mb)

The revised Auckland area GAP booklet incorporates the latest airspace changes (effective November 2008).

It has sections on Ardmore, Drury, Great Barrier Island, Kaipara Flats, Mercer, North Shore, Parakai, Waiheke Island, and Whenuapai, as well as Auckland aerodrome.

Revised Jun 08
manawatu gap cover In, Out and Around Manawatu (1.9 Mb)

The Manawatu is one of the busiest and most complex pieces of airspace in New Zealand. This GAP booklet is designed to give pilots information, tips and warnings about operating in and around this airspace. The booklet discusses the geography, climatology, airspace, aerodromes and major routes in the area.

Published Apr 09
Milford GAP cover In, Out and Around Milford (1.68 Mb)

Milford Sound boasts some of the most striking scenery in the country. And for the same reason, it also has very heavy air traffic. The area’s topography presents many challenges for pilots. The booklet outlines what pilots can do to minimise the risks of flying in such terrain.

There is also a section on the Milford “Procedures and Location” chart, and on circuits.

Revised Jul 05
In, Out and Around Mount Cook (2.5 Mb)

On a clear day with little wind, flying in the Mount Cook area can be a unique and picturesque experience. Pilots need to be aware that they may not be the only ones enjoying the scenery, especially during the summer.

In, Out and Around Mount Cook provides a good overview of the weather conditions and expected flight conditions in the Mount Cook area. It also covers some mountain flying techniques, and airspace and aerodrome procedures in the Southern Alps Mandatory Broadcast Zone (MbZ) surrounding Mount Cook. It is important that all pilots maintain a high level of situational awareness when operating in this MbZ.

If you are unfamiliar with the area, it is recommended that you spend time studying this booklet, in conjunction with a revision of mountain flying techniques.

Revised Feb 06
In, Out and Around Queenstown GAP front cover In, Out and Around Queenstown (2 Mb)

The Queenstown GAP booklet has been revised to reflect recent airspace changes. Many of the photographs have been updated, and they show more Visual Reporting Points.

Revised Feb 08
Mountain Flying GAP Cover Mountain Flying (1.3 Mb)

No matter where you fly in New Zealand, you are bound to encounter some mountainous terrain sooner or later. Special skills, knowledge and flying techniques are needed to navigate such terrain. This booklet outlines how to prepare for such flights. It includes a section on weather conditions in mountainous terrain.

The booklet also describes flying techniques that can be used.

Revised Jun 06
Cover of New Zealand Airspace GAP booklet New Zealand Airspace (706 Kb)

It is crucial to aviation safety that pilots have a sound knowledge of airspace. This booklet explains the different classes of airspace, special use airspace, non mandatory airspace, Visual Navigation Charts, and the Air Traffic Services available to pilots.

Revised May 07
Cover of Secure Your Aircraft GAP Booklet Secure Your Aircraft (2.1 Mb)

Secure your Aircraft provides information on types of tiedowns, tying-down techniques, and suitable tiedown knots that can be used to secure your aircraft.

It also covers tying down of multi-engine aircraft, helicopters, floatplanes and skiplanes.

Revised Nov 04
Spin Avoidance GAP Cover Spin Avoidance and Recovery (2.8 Mb)

When an aircraft spins, a stall occurs together with yaw, and self-perpetuating rotating forces develop. These forces keep the aircraft in the spin until positive and correct control inputs from the pilot stop them.

This new GAP (Good Aviation Practice) booklet explains the conditions that will encourage an aircraft to spin, and what you can do about them.

Under no circumstances should pilots deliberately enter a stall in the turn, an incipient spin, or a fully developed spin, unless they have received appropriate training from a qualified instructor in a suitable aircraft type, and at a safe height in a suitable location.

There is no universal spin-recovery technique that will work for all aircraft. This booklet outlines one of the most widely-used techniques. The booklet discusses unintentional spins - it is not a substitute for intentional spin training. The best line of defence is to avoid the spin in the first place.

The CAA gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Tiger Moth Club of New Zealand in the production of this booklet.

Published Dec 08
Take off and Landing Performance GAP cover Takeoff and Landing Performance (1Mb)

Around 50 percent of all New Zealand aircraft accidents happen during takeoff or landing. This booklet explains the responsibilities of the pilot-in-command, and describes the factors that affect takeoff and landing performance such as weight, air density, wind, slope, surface, obstacle clearance, etc.  There are also details of other factors that need to be taken into consideration.

The booklet provides three detailed recognised ways to ensure adequate takeoff and landing performance for private operators. Contains illustrations and graphs. 

Revised Feb 05
VFR Met GAP cover VFR Met (3Mb)

Developed in conjunction with the Weather to Fly AvKiwi Safety Seminars, this booklet covers why you should get Met, where you can get it, what you should get, and how to interpret it. It encourages you to use a set of tables to help you compare and contrast the weather for your flight, as a means of improving your weather-related decision making.

Published Feb 09

Cover of Wake Turbulence GAP Booklet Wake Turbulence (700 Kb)

The Wake Turbulence booklet has been revised and updated. It has new sections on Helicopters, Occurrence Reporting, and Recovery Techniques.
The Occurrence Reporting section mentions the ICAO review of wake vortex encounters, and how to report them.

Revised Jul 08
Weight and Balance (670 Kb)

Weight and Balance emphasises the importance of calculating weight and balance in preparation for flight and takes the reader through worked examples.

It includes a template readers can reproduce for their own use.

The booklet includes a mention of aerobatic aircraft and how critical weight and balance can be in aerobatic situations. It also has a section for multi-engine aeroplanes.

Revised Jun 06
Winter Flying GAP cover Winter Flying (1.4Mb)

Winter means an altered operating environment. This booklet tells you how you can prepare for winter. The booklet also includes sections on ice protection systems, preflight preparations and what to expect during starting, taxiing, takeoff, inflight, landing and parking. 

Revised Jun 05

The publications below are available for free on the internet, but if you require printed versions, there is a charge as they are large publications. Order by calling 0800 GET RULES (0800 438 785), or email: orders@colourguy.co.nz

Because the Flight Instructor's Guide is a moderately large file, for dialup users it is repeated below in 5 parts: