Rule Projects in Progress
The CAA is contracted to develop the Civil Aviation Rules by the Ministry of Transport for the Minister. Under this contract the Minister of Transport approves a programme of new rules and changes to existing rules each year. Any ordinary rule changes are subject to the Minister of Transport's agreement.
This page is updated monthly to provide progress reports on the current CAA rule projects together with information on recent rule changes that have come into effect.
You can also find a list of current regulatory issues and how to raise your own issue with CAA’s regulatory system.
If you have any queries regarding a rule project, please contact the CAA by emailing docket@caa.govt.nz.
2018-19 Rules Programme Tracker
Current Rule Projects Progress Report
| Rule Project Name and Reference | Description and Purpose of Rule | Current Status | Next Milestone |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineers – Pt 66 Licences and Ratings (16/CAR/9) |
A review of the maintenance engineer licensing system in Part 66 to modernise that Part. This work seeks to address safety risks in a proportionate manner, and to make Part 66 resilient to future changes, particularly with new and emerging technological advances. |
Consultation closed 29 Mar 2019 |
Publish summary of public submissions |
| Omnibus 2017/18
(17/CAR/01) |
These amendments cover issues related to abbreviations, definitions, terminology, referencing and formatting. |
Published NPRM on 17 May 2019. Consultation closes on 7 Jun 2019. |
Publish summary of public submissions. |
| Private Pilot Licence (PPL) Medical Review |
As a result of a public consultation conducted in 2017, the CAA has recommended the development of an alternative private pilot licence. The objective of the new proposed licence is to adopt a standard of medical certification for New Zealand private pilots that –
In this regard, pilots will be required to obtain a medical certificate that meets the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) commercial driver licence with passenger endorsement standard. |
The Minister has accepted this rule project onto Transport Rules Programme |
Publish NPRM |
Advisory Circulars Monthly Report
Advisory Circulars Monthly Report (PDF 346 KB)
Project Milestones
- Minister accepts rule project onto Transport Rules Programme
- Publish NPRM
- Consultation period closes
- Publish summary of public submissions
- Final rule package agreed with the Ministry of Transport
- Minister signs the rule
- Rules come into effect
Note: Older progress reports were published in the Civil Aviation Rules Register Information Leaflets (CARRIL) between 1999 and 2015.
Notice of Proposed Rule Making
Before a rule amendment or new rule is finalised, the CAA will consult on the proposed rule changes. The proposed changes are outlined in a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM).
You can have your say by submitting comments before the deadline. Each NPRM provides guidance on how to comment, and the deadline to submit your feedback.
After consultation, all comments are considered and the CAA will publish a Summary of Public Submissions under NPRMs Closed for Submissions.
The proposed rule may be reconsidered to take into account the submissions received. If necessary, the CAA may undertake further consultation with key groups before submitting a proposed rule to the Government.
Current Petitions to Raise a Regulatory Issue
| Work Request | Petition Raised | Date Received | Status |
| 18/ISS/10 | Time restriction on viewing X-ray images | 04 Sep 2017 | To be assigned to an adviser |
| 18/ISS/18 | AC61-20 & general review of Acs | 20 Dec 2017 | Under assessment |
| 18/ISS/32 | Number of issues under Part 65 | 19 Jun 2018 | Under assessment |
| 19/ISS/20 | Airline Passenger Briefings | 10 Dec 2018 | Under assessment |
| 19/ISS/38 | RPAS Danger Areas within controlled airspace | 30 Apr 2019 | To be assigned to an adviser |
If you wish to raise a regulatory issue for assessment, that may progress to a rule change, please complete form 24011-01 (PDF 25 KB) and email it to docket@caa.govt.nz.
For more information about issue assessment see The Rule Development Process and Regulatory Policy.
Recently Completed CAA Rule Projects
| Rule Project Name | Description and Purpose of Rule | Rules and Amendment Numbers | Important Dates |
|
ICAO Alignment 2017 (17/CAR/2) |
The primary objective of this project is to update the CARs so that they better align with ICAO SARPs, without compromising aviation safety, and with minimal cost to the aviation industry, the travelling public, and government. This will address the findings from the 2006 ICAO audit, and avoid the implications for New Zealand registered operators and visiting foreign registered aircraft of non-alignment between the CARs and the ICAO SARPs. |
The Associate Minister of Transport signed the rules on 7 Apr 2019 | Rules came into effect on 10 May 2019 |
|
New Southern Sky - Mandate ADSB (16/CAR/12) |
This project proposes using a performance-based rule to mandate transceivers for automatic dependent surveillance – broadcasts (ADS-B), initially for aircraft operating in controlled airspace above 24,500 ft (FL 245) and for all controlled airspace by the end of 2021. Aircraft using ADS-B constantly broadcast their position to other aircraft and air traffic controllers. ADS-B is scheduled to replace the current secondary surveillance radar system, which reaches the end of its life in 2021. Mandate ADS-B above FL245 – Summary of Public Submissions (PDF 132 KB) |
Associate Minister of Transport signed the rules on 15 Jun 2018 | Most rules came into effect 20 Jul 2018. Part 101 amendment came into effect 31 Dec 2018 |