The information listed below for general aviation (VFR and IFR), represents the minimum set of aviation weather products that should be used by an aircraft operator for the planning and conduct of a flight in accordance with Civil Aviation Rules (CAR) Parts 1, 91, 119, 121, 125 and 135.

It’s recommended that additional aviation weather products should also be used, and these should be selected from the list of aviation weather products.

The products listed in the column titled ‘aviation weather product’ represent Meteorological Information as defined in CAR, Part 1 Definitions and Abbreviations.

General aviation VFR

When to use Type of information Aviation weather product Coverage/content
Preflight    Overview NZ Situation (textual), GNZSIGWX, GRAFOR, AAW, surface weather charts (latest and forecast), radar and satellite imagery New Zealand and Tasman Sea. To get the big picture and assess an initial VFR go/no go
Warnings and advisories SIGMET (Textual and Graphical (GSM)), VAA, VAG, SWX advisory New Zealand FIR (details of hazardous weather)
Aerodrome TAF, METAR/SPECI, METAR AUTO, ATIS, AWS*, BWR* Departure, destination and alternate aerodromes.
En-route planning GNZSIGWX, GRAFOR, AAW Intended route plus any planned alternate routes.
Inflight Hazardous weather and aerodrome update SIGMET, TAF, METAR/SPECI, METAR AUTO, BWR*, ATIS Update of preflight information. Hazardous weather and destination and alternate aerodromes.

* To supplement METAR, SPECI or METAR AUTO reports, or as a substitute report in the absence of METAR, SPECI or METAR AUTO reports from the aerodrome(s) concerned. AWS and BWR are not an alternative to METAR, SPECI or METAR reports when such reports are available.

General aviation IFR

When to use Type of information Aviation weather product Coverage/content
Preflight Overview NZ Situation (textual), GNZSIGWX, GRAFOR, AAW, surface weather charts (latest and forecast), radar and satellite imagery

New Zealand and Tasman Sea.

To get the big picture

Warnings and advisories SIGMET (Textual and Graphical (GSM)), VAA, VAG, SWX advisory New Zealand FIR (details of hazardous weather)
Aerodrome TAF, METAR/SPECI, METAR AUTO, ATIS, AWS*, BWR* Departure, destination and alternate aerodromes.
En-route planning GNZSIGWX, GRAFOR or ROFOR Intended route plus any planned alternate routes.
Inflight Hazardous weather and aerodrome update SIGMET, TAF, METAR/SPECI, METAR AUTO, BWR*, ATIS Update of preflight information. Hazardous weather and destination and alternate aerodromes.

* To supplement METAR, SPECI or METAR AUTO reports, or as a substitute report in the absence of METAR, SPECI or METAR AUTO reports from the aerodrome(s) concerned. AWS and BWR are not an alternative to METAR, SPECI or METAR reports when such reports are available.

Domestic airlines and international flights

The information listed below for domestic airlines and international flights, represents the minimum set of aviation weather products that should be used by an aircraft operator for the planning and conduct of a flight in accordance with Civil Aviation Rules, Parts: 1, 91, 119, 121, 125 and 129.

The products listed in the column titled “aviation weather product” represent Meteorological Information as defined in Civil Aviation Rule, Part 1 Definitions and Abbreviations.

The minimum level shown for international flights is based on the requirements specified in ICAO, Annex 3, and WMO, Technical Regulations.

It’s recommended that additional aviation weather products should also be used, and these should be selected from the list of aviation weather products.

Domestic airlines

When to use Type of information Aviation weather product Coverage/content
Preflight Overview NZ Situation (textual), GNZSIGWX, GRAFOR, AAW, surface weather charts (latest and forecast), radar and satellite imagery

New Zealand and Tasman Sea.

To get the big picture
Warnings and advisories SIGMET (Textual and Graphical (GSM)), VAA, VAG, SWX advisory New Zealand FIR
Aerodrome TAF, METAR/SPECI, METAR AUTO, ATIS, AWS*, BWR* Departure, destination and alternate aerodromes.
En-route planning ROFOR and SIGWX chart Intended route(s) and alternate routes
Inflight Hazardous weather and aerodrome update SIGMET, TAF, METAR/SPECI, METAR AUTO, BWR*, ATIS Update of preflight information. Hazardous weather and destination and alternate aerodromes.

* To supplement METAR, SPECI or METAR AUTO reports, or as a substitute report in the absence of METAR, SPECI or METAR AUTO reports from the aerodrome(s) concerned. AWS and BWR are not an alternative to METAR, SPECI or METAR reports when such reports are available.

International flights

When to use Type of information Aviation weather product Coverage/content
Preflight    Overview Satellite imagery Snapshot indication of current observed en-route weather features (eg, CB)
Warnings and advisories  SIGMETs (Textual and Graphical (GSM))*, VAA, VAG, SWX advisory, TC advisory New Zealand and Auckland Oceanic FIRs, and all other en-route FIRs
Aerodrome  TAF, METAR/SPECI, METAR AUTO, ATIS Departure, destination and alternate aerodromes
En-route planning 

Charts 1

(a) SIGWX (HI)

(b) SIGWX (MID) 2

(c) WIND/TEMP

 

FL250 - FL630

FL100 - FL250

FL340 (250 hPa)

Inflight Hazardous weather and aerodrome update

TAF, METAR/SPECI, METAR/AUTO

Auckland VOLMET, ATIS

Update of pre-flight information. Hazardous weather and destination and alternate aerodromes.

1  The charts should cover the entire route (and alternate routes). Chart validity should cover the intended flight time plus two hours.
2  For EDTO flights only. Provided in addition to a SIGWX (HI) chart.
*GSM for New Zealand and Auckland Oceanic FIRs only.