Download the PDF consolidation of Part 101 [PDF 193 KB]
Subject to rule 102.21, this part prescribes rules governing the operation of—
(1) moored balloons and kites:
(2) free balloons:
(3) rockets:
(4) remotely piloted aircraft, control line model aircraft, and free flight model aircraft:
(5) gyrogliders and parasails.
In this Part—
Aerodrome means an aerodrome that is promulgated in the current AIPNZ:
Control line model aircraft means a model aircraft primarily controlled in flight by a single or multiple wire system operated by the person flying the aircraft and restricted to circular flight about a central point:
Free Balloon means a pilotless aerostat without propulsion in free flight, having a gas capacity greater than 1.5 m³:
Free flight model aircraft means a model aircraft with a maximum wing loading of 62 g/dm2 (20 oz/ft2), with a flight path that, once launched, is uncontrollable:
Gyroglider means a ground or water towed non-power-driven heavier-thanair aircraft supported in flight by the reaction of the air on one or more rotors which rotate freely on substantially vertical axes, capable of carrying a person or persons:
Heavy free balloon means a free balloon, that—
(1) carries a payload with—
(i) a combined mass of 6 kg or more; or
(ii) a payload package of 3 kg or more; or
(iii) a payload package of 2 kg or more with an area density of more than 13 g/cm2; and
(2) uses a rope or other device for suspension of the payload that requires an impact force of 230 N or more to separate the suspended payload from the balloon:
Kite means a pilotless aerodyne without propulsion that is tethered to a fixed point, or is hand held, and is sustained by the wind:
Large model rocket means a rocket that—
(1) uses more than 25 g but not more than 125 g of propellant; and
(2) produces more than 20 but not more than 320 Newton-seconds of total impulse; and
(3) uses a slow-burning propellant; and
(4) is made of lightweight materials such as paper, wood, rubber and plastic; and
(5) does not have the nose cone, fins, or body fabricated from metal; and
(6) has a gross mass, including the propellant of more than 453 g but not more than 1.5 kg:
Medium free balloon means a free balloon, that—
(1) carries a payload of 2 or more payload packages with a combined mass of—
(i) more than 4 kg; and
(ii) less than 6 kg; and
(2) does not meet any of the criteria specified in the definition of the term heavy free balloon:
Model Rocketry Safety Code means the code of that name that is approved by the New Zealand Rocketry Association:
Moored balloon means a pilotless balloon that is moored to the surface of the earth, or to an object on the surface of the earth, and has a maximum diameter of more than 1.5 m or a gas capacity of more than 3 m³:
Parasail means an aerodyne, having the general form of an open, circular parachute carrying a person or persons towed behind a vehicle or motorboat to sustain flight:
Remotely piloted aircraft means an unmanned aircraft that is piloted from a remote station and—
(1) includes a radio controlled model aircraft; but
(2) does not include a control line model aircraft or a free flight model aircraft:
Rocket means a pilotless vehicle propelled by a system that contains every ingredient needed to form its own jet other than—
(1) an aerial firework; or
(2) a rocket propelled by a model rocket motor of size A-D which achieves no more than 20 Newton-seconds of total impulse:
Shielded operation means an operation of an aircraft within 100 m of, and below the top of, a natural or man-made object.
The requirements in Part 47 do not apply to unmanned aircraft, kites, rockets, parasails, and gyrogliders.
(a) A person must not operate an unmanned aircraft, kite, rocket, gyroglider, or parasail within a restricted area designated under Part 71 unless the person has approval to do so from the administering authority responsible for the restricted area.
(b) A person must not operate an unmanned aircraft, kite, rocket, gyroglider, or parasail within a military operating area designated under Part 71 unless the person has approval to do so from the administering authority responsible for the military operating area.
(c) A person must not operate a gyroglider or parasail within a danger area designated under Part 71 unless the person has established that the activity associated with the danger area will not affect the safety of the gyroglider or parasail.
A person must not operate any of the following within a low flying zone designated under Part 71:
(1) an unmanned aircraft:
(2) a kite:
(3) a rocket:
(4) a gyroglider:
(5) a parasail.
A person must not operate any of the following in controlled airspace without prior authorisation from the ATC unit responsible for that airspace unless the operation is a shielded operation:
(1) an unmanned aircraft:
(2) a kite:
(3) a rocket:
(4) a gyroglider:
(5) a parasail.
(a) This rule applies to a person who operates any of the following:
(1) an unmanned aircraft:
(2) a kite:
(3) a rocket:
(4) a gyroglider:
(5) a parasail.
(b) A person to whom this rule applies must—
(1) ensure that before each flight, the person is aware of the airspace designation under Part 71 and any applicable airspace restrictions in place in the area of intended operation; or
(2) conduct the operation under the direct supervision of a person who is aware of the airspace designation under Part 71 and any applicable airspace restrictions in place in the area of intended operation.
A person operating any of the following must take all practicable steps to minimise hazards to persons, property and other aircraft:
(1) an unmanned aircraft:
(2) a kite:
(3) a rocket:
(4) a gyroglider:
(5) a parasail.
(a) This rule applies to any person while they are operating:
(1) an unmanned aircraft:
(2) a kite:
(3) a rocket:
(4) a gyroglider: or
(5) a parasail.
(b) The person must not allow any object to be dropped in flight if this creates a hazard to other persons or property.
