Please note: To be able to fly on a DL9 driver licence medical certificate, your DL9 needs to be at least a Class 2 (2,3,4,5) medical certificate with passenger (P) endorsement.
From 5 April 2021, private pilot licence holders are able to exercise a wide range of licence privileges on a DL9 driver licence medical certificate.
Previously PPL holders needed a current Class One or Class Two aviation medical to fly, with DL9 driver licence medicals only able to be used for the significantly limited recreational pilot licence.
If you're a current licence holder please note that when you receive your DL9 medical certificate you need to send a copy of pages one and four only of the DL9 to the CAA within seven days of it being issued. Please send the copy to licensing@caa.govt.nz. This is a rule requirement and helps us to keep accurate records on active licence holders.
NB: If you're a student pilot you’ll need to have a current DL9 to go solo and for any subsequent solo flights, your training provider needs to sight your DL9. There is no requirement to send the CAA a copy until you actually apply for your Private Pilot Licence.
For more information about these changes and what you need to do to fly on a DL9 medical certificate, please look at the resources below, including the updated Part 61 Rule.
FAQs for pilots and health practitioners [PDF 340 KB]
PPL privileges by type of medical certificate
Use of DL9 - student pilot, applying for PPL and current PPL CPL ATPL holders [PDF 255 KB]
Summary of changes made to Part 61 ACs following Rule 61 Amendment 17
The updated consolidated rule: Part 61 Pilot Licences and Ratings
Comparisons of PPL vs RPL privleges for DL9 holders are shown in green.
Changes take effect on 5 April 2021
For rule references for each activity, see:
PPL medical privileges table - Class 2 and DL9 [PDF 176 KB]
| Activity |
PPL with Class 2 medical |
PPL with DL9 medical |
|---|---|---|
| Operate aircraft for hire or reward |
|
No change from RPL |
| Operate aircraft for remuneration |
|
No change from RPL |
| Operate aircraft outside NZ |
|
If permitted by foreign country to operate in that country New privilege: Was prohibited on RPL |
| Fly single-engine aircraft |
|
Up to a maximum take-off weight (MCTOW) not exceeding 2,730kg Increased from RPL privilege: Could previously only fly a single engine, non-pressurised aeroplane with MCTOW of 2000kg or helicopter with 1500kg MCTOW |
| Fly multi-engine aircraft |
|
Up to MCTOW not exceeding 2,730kg New privilege: RPL holders were unable to fly multi-engine aircraft |
| Fly pressurised aircraft |
|
Up to 25,000 ft above mean sea level New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from flying pressurised aircraft |
| Fly aircraft using instrument flight rules (IFR) |
|
No change: IFR was not permitted on a RPL |
| Exercise the privileges of aerobatic ratings |
|
Solo aerobatic manoeuvres can be performed above 3,000 feet by DL9 holders No change: RPL holders were prohibited from exercising aerobatic rating privileges. The restriction against performing aerobatic manoeuvres below 3,000 feet exists in rule 91.701. |
| Fly aircraft at night |
Provided the pilot has night flight experience acceptable to the Director, and an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to fly at night. |
Only within 25 nm of a lit aerodrome New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from night flying |
| Fly aircraft on a cross country flight |
Provided an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to perform cross country flight. |
Provided an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to perform cross country flight Revised privilege: RPL holders needed at least 50 hrs flight time experience as pilot in appropriate category of aircraft comprising of solo flight time, instrument time, and cross-country time acceptable to the Director |
| Perform helicopter sling load operations |
Provided an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to perform these operations. |
Provided an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to perform these operations. New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from conducting sling load operations |
| Perform agricultural aircraft operations |
|
No change from RPL |
| Maximum number of passengers |
No maximum number of passengers is specified in the rules. |
PPL holders on a DL9 medical can carry 5 passengers, unless they are performing an aerobatic manoeuvre above 3,000 feet, in which case no passengers are allowed. Increased privilege: RPL holders could only carry one passenger |
| Fly over congested areas of cities and towns |
|
Revised privilege: RPL holders could only fly over congested areas of cities and towns for the purpose of take-off and landing. Restriction is now removed. |
| Perform a banner tow operation |
|
But not below 500 feet above ground level (AGL) New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from performing banner tow operations |
| Perform a parachute drop operation |
|
But not exceeding 10,000 feet AMSL New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from performing parachute drop operations |
| Perform a drogue tow operation |
|
But not below 500 feet AGL New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from performing drogue tow operations |
| Operate into and out of a controlled aerodrome |
Provided the holder maintains radio contact with appropriate ATS unit at all times. However, the holder is not required to maintain radio contact at all times if the person has successfully passed a colour deficiency screen test acceptable to the Director, and the flight has been approved by the ATS unit. Revised privilege: RPL holders could operate into or out of controlled aerodrome if the holder has provided the Director with evidence of a successful colour vision screening test that is acceptable to the Director. Note – removed the successful colour vision screening requirement as the default requirement (replaced by maintain radio contact at all times) given that CAA has no control over the DL9 processes and medical assessments (which include CVD screening). Also reduces potential costs in getting CVD screening done. |
|
| Glider towing |
|
But not for remuneration, as pilot-in-command or as a co-pilot of an aircraft that is operated for hire or reward to tow a glider in flight, but only if the operation is under the direct control of a gliding organisation, or under the authority of an adventure aviation operator. |
| Fly glider |
|
No change from RPL. A Class 2 medical is still required to fly a glider on a PPL |
