All air operations must hold an air operator certificate under the:

  • Civil Aviation Act 1990(external link), s 8 application for aviation document and s 9 grant or renewal of aviation document
  • Civil Aviation Rules, Part 119 air operator certification for operations conducted under Parts 121 large aeroplanes, 125 medium aeroplanes, or 135 helicopters and small aeroplanes

The assessment process takes time. How long depends on the complexity of your operation and the accuracy of the information you provide. Make sure your application form and documents are complete because we’ll only start our assessment once they are.

It’s useful to contact us before submitting your application, so we can discuss your proposed operation and the application and assessment process. Early engagement also helps us to plan and schedule the assessment.

Read the advisory circulars for your type of operation before you fill in the application.

1. Use 24119-01ISSUE to apply

Email us your completed application for issue and documents to certification@caa.govt.nz

You have to submit your application at least 90 days before the proposed start date of your operation, but our assessment can take longer.

You must also pay for an initial 4 hours at the CAA standard hourly rate. We’ll email you invoices during and at the end of the assessment for CAA’s additional hours taken.

2. Documents required for your type of operation

You must also email us the documents below (if required for your type of operation) with your application for issue.

If your operation is a registered company, incorporated society, or limited partnership

Companies Office certificate of incorporation

Types of operation

  • Completed 24091-07 [DOCX 246 KB] Part 91 application for operational approval for:
    • Part 121 large aeroplanes
    • Part 125 medium aeroplanes
    • if applicable, Part 135 for required navigation performance (RNP)

Senior persons (fit and proper person (FPP) requirements) 

  • For each senior person, either FPP questionnaire or FPP declaration, and information required

See the table below about which FPP form to use and the information required. Note: The government agency reports can take 8 weeks or more to get.

Also check your proposed senior persons meet the qualifications and experience requirements of Part 119 Appendix A airline air operator or Appendix B general aviation air operator.

FPP form to use Information required

24FPP questionnaire must be completed by a senior person:

  • who is a new senior person, or
  • if their last FPP questionnaire is dated more than 5 years ago, or
  • if their last FPP questionnaire is dated less than 5 years ago, but their FPP questionnaire information and required information has changed
  • CV
  • Proof of identify
  • Proof of address for service
  • Criminal conviction check (Ministry of Justice)
  • Traffic safety offence history report (Waka Kotahi)
24FPPDEC declaration is completed by a senior person if their last FPP questionnaire is dated less than 5 years ago and their FPP questionnaire information and required information hasn’t changed
  • Updated CV

Maintenance programme

  • Maintenance programme
  • Completed 24091-02 [DOCX 369 KB] Part 91 application for approval or amendment of maintenance programme (hire or reward aircraft)

Also see the Part 91 maintenance programme template [DOC 111 KB] in our forms section of the website.

Security programme

If applicable:

  • your security programme
  • completed 24108-02 [DOCX 329 KB] Part 108 air operator and foreign air transport operator – security programme rule checklist

Exemptions

If you require an exemption to operate, you may need to have this granted before we can issue your air operator certificate. Email us completed 24011-02 [DOCX 207 KB] Section 37 petition for exemption.

Exposition

  • Your proposed exposition

This can be one document with sections or several manuals, which sets out your operating instructions, procedures, system for safety management, and other information to comply with:

  • Part 119.81 airline air operator exposition, and
  • if applicable, Part 119.125 general aviation air operator exposition

Rule checklists

  • Completed rule checklists for your type of operation:
All operators
Part 108 only
  • 24108-02 [DOCX 329 KB] Part 108 air operator and foreign air transport operator - security programme rule checklist
Parts 121 and 125 operators only
  • 24119-08 [DOCX 591 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 121 large aeroplane – operations rule checklist
  • 24119-08M [DOCX 277 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 121 large aeroplanes and Part 125 medium aeroplanes – maintenance rule checklist
  • 24119-09 [DOCX 497 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 125 medium aeroplanes – operations rule checklist
Part 135 operators only
  • 24135-01AO [DOCX 299 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 airline – helicopters and small aeroplanes – operations rule checklist
  • 24135-02AM [DOCX 260 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 airline – helicopters and small aeroplanes – maintenance rule checklist
  • 24135-03GAM [DOCX 233 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – helicopters and small aeroplanes – maintenance rule checklist
  • 24135-04GAHO [DOCX 302 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – helicopters – operations rule checklist
  • 24135-05GAAVFR [DOCX 274 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – small aeroplanes VFR – operations rule checklist
  • 24135-06GAAIFR [DOCX 254 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – small aeroplanes IFR – operations rule checklist
  • 24135-07GAAITC [DOCX 120 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – small aeroplanes – internal training and competency rule checklist
  • 24135-08GAAETC [DOCX 119 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – small aeroplanes – external training and competency rule checklist

It's important to keep your rule checklists up-to-date to support your renewal and amendment applications.

Other rules specific to your type of operation

  • If other rules apply to your type of operation that are not set out in the application form, email us the completed forms and documents required for the other rules (e.g. Part 91 general operating and flight rules; Part 92 carriage of dangerous goods).

3. Prepare for a site inspection

Make sure your documents are available and up-to-date and senior persons are available to be interviewed. Your senior persons must fully understand the functions and duties of their role and your organisation’s exposition.

1. Use 24119-01RENEWAL to apply

Email us your completed application for renewal and documents to certification@caa.govt.nz

You have to submit your renewal application at least 60 days before the expiry date on your current certificate, or any expiry date in your operations specifications, whichever date is the earliest, but our assessment can take longer.

No payment is required at the time you apply. We’ll email you invoices during and at the end of the assessment for CAA’s hours taken at the CAA standard hourly rate.

2. Documents required for your type of operation

You must also email us the documents below (if required for your type of operation) with your application for renewal. Some of the documents are only required if you propose amendments.

If your operation is a registered company, incorporated society, or limited partnership and the legal name has changed

Companies Office certificate of incorporation

Types of operation

  • Completed 24091-07 [DOCX 246 KB] application for operational approval for:
    • Part 121 large aeroplanes
    • Part 125 medium aeroplanes
    • if applicable, Part 135 for required navigation performance (RNP)

Senior persons (fit and proper person (FPP) requirements)

  • For each senior person, either FPP questionnaire or FPP declaration, and information required

See the tables below about which FPP form to use and the information required. Note: The government agency reports can take 8 weeks or more to get.

Also check your proposed senior persons meet the qualifications and experience requirements of Part 119 Appendix A airline air operator or Appendix B general aviation air operator.

24FPP questionnaire must be completed by a senior person:

Information required
  • who is a new senior person, or

  • if their last FPP questionnaire is dated more than 5 years ago, or

  • if their last FPP questionnaire is dated less than 5 years ago, but  their FPP questionnaire information and required information has changed

  • CV
  • Proof of identify
  • Proof of address for service
  • Criminal conviction check (Ministry of Justice)
  • Traffic safety offence history report (Waka Kotahi)

 

24FPPDEC declaration is completed by a senior person if their last FPP questionnaire is dated less than 5 years ago and their FPP questionnaire information and required information hasn’t changed, AND either:  Information required
  • there’s no change to their functions and duties, or

N/A

  • you propose to amend their functions and duties
  • Updated CV

Maintenance programme

  • Maintenance programme. Highlight or Track Change proposed amendments
  • Completed 24091-02 [DOCX 369 KB] Part 91 application for approval or amendment of maintenance programme (hire or reward aircraft)

Also see the Part 91 maintenance programme template in our forms section of the website.

Security programme

If applicable:

  • your security programme
  • completed 24108-02 [DOCX 329 KB] Part 108 air operator and foreign air transport operator – security programme rule checklist

Highlight or Track Change proposed amendments in both.

Exemptions

If you still need the exemption you currently hold, you must petition for this again even if an expiry date is not specified on your current certificate. If you require a new exemption to operate, you may need to have this granted before we can renew your certificate. To make a petition, use 24011-02 [DOCX 207 KB] Section 37 petition for exemption.

Exposition

Your proposed exposition. Highlight or Track Change proposed amendments.

Note:

  1. You can use 24119-12 [DOCX 304 KB] Part 119 exposition amendment summary sheet to assess if your proposed amendments affect your operations specifications or require CAA’s prior acceptance.
  2. Your exposition (which can be one document or separate documents), has your operational procedures, including system for safety management, to comply with rule 119.81 airline air operator exposition or rule 119.125 general aviation air operator exposition.

Rule checklists

  • Completed rule checklists for your type of operation (highlight or Track Change proposed amendments and any changes since the issue of your last certificate):
All operators
Part 108 only
  • 24108-02 [DOCX 329 KB] Part 108 air operator and foreign air transport operator - security programme rule checklist
Parts 121 and 125 operators only
  • 24119-08 [DOCX 591 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 121 large aeroplane – operations rule checklist
  • 24119-08M [DOCX 277 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 121 large aeroplanes and Part 125 medium aeroplanes – maintenance rule checklist
  • 24119-09 [DOCX 497 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 125 medium aeroplanes – operations rule checklist
Part 135 operators only
  • 24135-01AO [DOCX 299 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 airline – helicopters and small aeroplanes – operations rule checklist
  • 24135-02AM [DOCX 260 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 airline – helicopters and small aeroplanes – maintenance rule checklist
  • 24135-03GAM [DOCX 233 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – helicopters and small aeroplanes – maintenance rule checklist
  • 24135-04GAHO [DOCX 302 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – helicopters – operations rule checklist
  • 24135-05GAAVFR [DOCX 274 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – small aeroplanes VFR – operations rule checklist
  • 24135-06GAAIFR [DOCX 254 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – small aeroplanes IFR – operations rule checklist
  • 24135-07GAAITC [DOCX 120 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – small aeroplanes – internal training and competency rule checklist
  • 24135-08GAAETC [DOCX 119 KB] Part 119 air operator – Part 135 general aviation – small aeroplanes – external training and competency rule checklist

It’s important to keep your rule checklists up-to-date to support your renewal and amendment applications.

Other rules specific to your type of operation

  • If other rules apply to your type of operation that are not set out in the application form and you propose amendments, the completed forms and documents required for the other rules (e.g. Part 91 general operating and flight rules; Part 92 carriage of dangerous goods).

3. Prepare for a site inspection

Make sure your documents are available and up-to-date and senior persons are available to be interviewed. Your senior persons must fully understand the functions and duties of their role and your organisation’s exposition.

1. Use 24119-01AMENDMENT to apply

Email us your completed application for amendment and documents to certification@caa.govt.nz

You’ll need to do so well before the proposed amendment is to apply.

If your certificate is due to expire, consider including the amendment details in your renewal application, instead of completing the amendment application form.

No payment is required at the time you apply. We’ll invoice you during and at the end of the assessment for CAA’s hours taken at the CAA standard hourly rate.

2. Documents required for your type of operation

You must also email us the documents below for proposed amendments (if required for your type of operation) with your completed application for amendment.

If your operation is a registered company, incorporated society, or limited partnership and the legal name has changed

Companies Office certificate of incorporation

Types of operation

  • Completed 24091-07 [DOCX 246 KB] application for operational approval for:
    • Part 121 large aeroplanes
    • Part 125 medium aeroplanes
    • if applicable, Part 135 for required navigation performance (RNP)

Senior persons (fit and proper person (FPP) requirements)

  • For a proposed new senior person or proposed amendment to a current senior person’s functions and duties, either a FPP questionnaire or FPP declaration, and information required

See the tables below about which FPP form to use and the information required. Note: The government agency reports can take 8 weeks or more to get.

Also check your proposed senior persons meet the qualifications and experience requirements of Part 119 Appendix A airline air operator or Appendix B general aviation air operator.

24FPP questionnaire must be completed by a proposed senior person: Information required
  • who is a new senior person, or
  • if their last FPP questionnaire is dated more than 5 years ago, or
  • if their last FPP questionnaire is dated less than 5 years ago, but their FPP questionnaire information and required information has changed
  • CV
  • Proof of identify
  • Proof of address for service
  • Criminal conviction check (Ministry of Justice)
  • Traffic safety offence history report (Waka Kotahi)

 

24FPPDEC declaration is completed by a proposed senior person if their last FPP questionnaire is dated less than 5 years ago, and the FPP questionnaire information and required information hasn’t changed, AND either:  Information required
  • there’s no change to their functions and duties, or

N/A

  • you propose to amend their functions and duties
  • Updated CV

Maintenance programme

  • Maintenance programme (highlight or Track Change proposed amendments)
  • Completed 24091-02 [DOCX 369 KB] application for approval or amendment of maintenance programme (hire or reward aircraft)

Also see the Part 91 maintenance programme template [DOC 111 KB] in our forms section of the website.

Security programme

If applicable under Part 108:

  • Security programme (highlight or Track Change proposed amendments)

Exemptions

If you require an exemption to operate, either one held that expires before your certificate expires or a new exemption, email us completed 24011-02 [DOCX 207 KB] Section 37 petition for exemption.

Exposition

  • Your proposed exposition:
    • Sections amended (if one document) and highlight or Track Change proposed amendments, or

    • Documents amended (if separate documents). Highlight or Track Change proposed amendments.

Note:

  1. You can use 24119-12 [DOCX 304 KB] Part 119 exposition amendment summary sheet to assess if your proposed amendments affect your operations specifications or require CAA’s prior acceptance.
  2. Your exposition has your operational procedures, including system for safety management, to comply with rule 119.81 airline air operator exposition or rule 119.125 general aviation air operator exposition.

Other rules specific to your type of operation

  • If other rules apply to your type of operation that are not set out in the application form and you propose amendments, the completed forms and documents required for the other rules (e.g. Part 91 general operating and flight rules; Part 92 carriage of dangerous goods).

3. We may require a site inspection

Depending on your proposed amendments, we may require a site inspection.

Make sure your documents are available and up-to-date, and if there are proposed amendments to senior persons, make sure they are available to be interviewed. Your senior persons must fully understand the functions and duties of their role and your organisation’s exposition.

 Ask us about air operations

If you have any questions about this topic, use our contact form, or email certification@caa.govt.nz