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Within controlled airspace, vertical separation may be reduced to 500 feet when—
(1) both aircraft are either medium or light wake turbulence category; and
(2) the lower aircraft is a VFR or Special VFR flight, and operating at an altitude of 4500 feet or below.
An aerodrome controller may apply a composite of geographical and visual separation, provided instructions are issued as necessary to maintain adequate separation, between—
(1) an aircraft continuously in sight of the controller, and within 10 NM of the aerodrome; and
(2) an aircraft not in sight of the controller, but whose current position has been determined by approved use of an ATS surveillance system or a pilot position report.
Separation minima may be reduced by approving visual separation when, by day—
(1) a specific request is made by a pilot; and
(2) each aircraft is under the control of—
(i) the same operating position; or
(ii) physically adjacent operating positions, provided both controllers agree; and
(3) each aircraft remains in VMC; and
(4) either—
(i) each aircraft is continuously visible to the pilot of the other aircraft and both pilots concur with the application of visual separation; or
(ii) the pilot of a following aircraft reports the preceding aircraft is in sight and that pilot can maintain visual separation from the preceding aircraft.
When separating aircraft that are on the same track, and on the opposite sides of an NDB, VOR, or VORTAC, at which both aircraft are required to report, 5 minutes minimum separation may be applied, provided—
(1) one aircraft is in level flight and the other aircraft is climbing or descending to achieve vertical separation; and
(2) the preceding aircraft has passed the NDB, VOR, or VORTAC by at least 5 minutes; and
(3) confirmation is obtained from the following aircraft that it has not yet reached the NDB, VOR, or VORTAC.
(a) A minimum separation of 20 NM may be applied, between aircraft climbing or descending on the same track, provided separation is assured by obtaining frequent, and immediately consecutive, DME readings from both aircraft.
(b) A minimum separation of 10 NM may be applied—
(1) between aircraft climbing or descending on the same track provided—
(i) the preceding aircraft maintains a true airspeed of 20 knots or more faster than the following aircraft; and
(ii) the effect of slant-range is taken into consideration; and
(iii) separation is assured, by obtaining frequent, and immediately consecutive, DME readings from both aircraft; or
(2) when changing from longitudinal to vertical separation, where the following aircraft is instructed to reach a vertical separation level 10 NM prior to the last DME report of the preceding aircraft; or
(3) when separating an aircraft beyond, and flying away from, a DME or TACAN arc, from an aircraft on the arc, using the same DME.
(a) GNSS distance may be used, instead of DME distance, in the provision of lateral separation when—
(1) both aircraft are flying tracks based on the same navigation aid; and
(2) the GNSS distance reported is from the same navigation aid on which the lateral separation is based.
(b) Lateral separation may only be applied in accordance with criteria and minima approved by the holder of an instrument flight procedure service certificate issued in accordance with Part 173.
Successive aircraft may be cleared for an instrument approach when the leading aircraft—
(1) has crossed the middle marker of an ILS or LOC approach or the final NDB of a twin NDB or VOR/NDB approach, provided separation can be maintained in the event of a missed approach; or
(2) is on final approach and has crossed the radio navigation aid from which the initial approach of the following aircraft commences, and the missed approach procedure is separated from the initial, intermediate, and final approach.
The Director may, in accordance with paragraph 8.7.3.2 and 8.7.3.3 of ICAO Document 4444, approve a reduction of the standard 5 NM minimum separation prescribed in paragraph 8.7.3.1 of ICAO Document 4444.
A minimum separation of 5 NM may be applied in any of the following circumstances—
(1) between an identified aircraft and an unidentified controlled flight entering or about to enter ATS surveillance system coverage under ICAO Document 4444 paragraph 8.7.2.8 a) and b); or
(2) between a previously identified aircraft which has since passed out of ATS surveillance system cover, and a following identified aircraft, provided the following aircraft can achieve the appropriate vertical separation before the position at which the preceding aircraft passed out of ATS surveillance system cover; or
(3) between aircraft on reciprocal tracks, when an identified aircraft is at least past the position at which previously identified aircraft passed out of ATS surveillance system cover; or
(4) using an ATS surveillance system may be applied between an identified aircraft and the cleared route of an unidentified controlled VFR flight; or
(5) between aircraft equipped with ADS-B systems that meet the requirements of rule 91.257,and operating in transponder mandatory controlled airspace designated under Part 71 within the New Zealand FIR.
A minimum separation of 5 NM using an ATS surveillance system may be applied between an identified aircraft that is not holding, and other identified aircraft that are holding, despite that individual identity of the holding aircraft may be lost.
Separation need not be applied between individual aircraft in formation flight when—
(1) prior notice of the flight has been given to ATC by the formation leader; or
(2) the flight consists of an aircraft in distress and its escort.
The reduced runway separation prescribed in rules 172.275 to 172.279 inclusive may be applied when—
(1) visibility is at least 5 km and the pilot is in a position to make an early assessment of conditions on the runway; and
(2) braking action is unlikely to be adversely affected by runway contaminants; and
(3) specified longitudinal distances are able to be readily determined by the aerodrome controller by reference to prominent markers or features; and
(4) pertinent traffic information is issued; and
(5) except in the case of rule 172.275(1), the separation is applied by day.
Provided the conditions in rule 172.273 apply, a following aircraft may be cleared for take-off when —
(1) the runway is longer than 1800 metres, and the preceding aircraft is airborne and has reached a point at least 1800 metres ahead of the following aircraft; or
(2) both aircraft have an MCTOW of 7000 kg or less, and the preceding aircraft is airborne and has reached a point at least 1000 metres ahead of the following aircraft; or
(3) both aircraft have an MCTOW of 2300 kg or less, and the preceding aircraft is airborne and has reached a point at least 600 metres ahead of the following aircraft; or
(4) the aircraft is a microlight, and the preceding aircraft is airborne.
Provided the conditions in rule 172.273 apply, an arriving aircraft may be permitted to cross the runway threshold to land when—
(1) the departing aircraft is airborne, and has reached a point beyond the expected landing roll of the arriving aircraft; or
(2) both aircraft have an MCTOW of 2300 kg or less, and the departing aircraft is accelerating and has reached a point at least 600 metres ahead of the arriving aircraft.
Provided the conditions in rule 172.273 apply, the following aircraft may be permitted to cross the runway threshold to land when both aircraft have an MCTOW of—
(1) 7000 kg or less, and the preceding aircraft —
(i) has landed; and
(ii) has commenced a turn to vacate the runway without stopping or backtracking; or
(2) 2300 kg or less, and the preceding aircraft —
(i) has landed; and
(ii) can vacate the runway without backtracking; and
(iii) has reached a point ahead of the following aircraft where, in the opinion of the aerodrome controller, there is no risk of collision.
Same direction parallel runway operations may be permitted by day when—
(1) the aerodrome control provider and the aerodrome operator are the same, or there is written agreement between them regarding the operation; and
(2) the visibility is at least 5 km; and
(3) neither runway is adversely affected by contaminants; and
(4) both aircraft are in two-way communication with aerodrome control; and
(5) pertinent traffic information is issued; and
(6) the adjacent runway edges are clearly defined; and
(7) one of the following applies—
(i) the adjacent edges of the two runways are not less than 165 metres apart; or
(ii) both aircraft have an MCTOW of 5700 kg or less, and the adjacent edges of the two runways are not less than 90 metres apart; or
(iii) both aircraft have an MCTOW of 2300 kg or less, and the adjacent edges of the two runways are not less than 60 metres apart.
The minimum separation from an aircraft dumping fuel is—
(1) 5 NM horizontally; or
(2) 2000 feet vertically; or
(3) 1000 feet vertically when below flight level 290 and the aircraft dumping fuel is the lower aircraft
The separation criteria and minima prescribed in these rules must be applied to military aircraft unless there is written agreement between the ATS provider and the New Zealand Defence Force, or a military agency of a foreign state, authorising the use of reduced military separation when it is—
(1) between military aircraft; and
(2) agreed to by the pilots of the aircraft involved; and
(3) in accordance with the written agreement.
A following IFR aircraft may be cleared for take-off when—
(1) the initial departure track differs by at least 30 degrees from the departure track of the leading aircraft, and visual observation by the aerodrome controller confirms that the leading aircraft—
(i) has turned to clear the departure track of the following aircraft; or
(ii) has reached a point where adequate separation will exist from the following aircraft, or
(2) the initial departure track differs by at least 20 degrees from the departure track of the leading aircraft; and
(i) identification using an ATS surveillance system will be established within 1 NM of the end of the runway used for take-off; and
(ii) the leading aircraft is 1 NM ahead of the following aircraft, and confirmed by visual or observation using an ATS surveillance system as having turned to clear the departure track of the following aircraft.
The runway separation required by rule 172.77(a)(4) may be waived or varied to take account of the particular operating characteristics of helicopters and unpowered aircraft, provided safety is not jeopardised.
A specific pilot request for a waiver from any wake turbulence separation may be granted provided—
(1) the air traffic controller does not prompt, instigate, or invite a pilot to request a waiver from wake turbulence separation; and
(2) when the other aircraft is an ICAO heavy category or B757 aircraft, the air traffic controller reminds the pilot requesting the waiver of the category or type of the other aircraft.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), when applying the separation required by rule 172.79, the minimum separation must be—
(1) when aircraft within the active special use airspace may be operating in IMC—
(i) 1000 feet vertical separation up to FL290; or
(ii) 2000 feet vertical separation above FL 290; or
(iii) 5 NM separation in the provision of an ATS surveillance service; or
(2) when aircraft within the active special use airspace are operating in VMC—
(i) 500 feet vertical separation up to FL290; or
(ii) 1000 feet vertical separation above FL290; or
(iii) separation of 1 NM plus the accuracy tolerance of the ATS surveillance system in the provision of a surveillance service; or
(3) achieved by the use of minima or instrument flight procedures—
(i) approved by the holder of an instrument flight procedure service certificate issued under the Act and Part 173; or
(b) When no separation minimum or procedure is specified under paragraphs (a)(1), (2), or (3), separation must be achieved by keeping controlled flights clear of active special use airspace.
