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In this subpart:

61.301 Purpose

This Subpart prescribes the requirements for the issue of flight instructor ratings and the privileges, limitations and currency requirements of those ratings.

61.303 Eligibility requirements

Category E flight instructor

(a) To be eligible for the issue of a Category E flight instructor rating, a person must—

(1) be the holder of at least a current commercial pilot licence for the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(2) hold a current Grade 1 agricultural rating for the appropriate category of aircraft with a rating to conduct aerial topdressing, aerial spraying, or aerial VTA as appropriate; and

(3) have a minimum of 2000 hours flight time experience on agricultural aircraft operations which must include—

(i) if the person seeks to instruct in aerial topdressing, a minimum of 100 hours flight time experience of aerial topdressing as a pilot in the appropriate category of aircraft:

(ii) if the person seeks to instruct in aerial spraying, a minimum of 100 hours flight time experience of aerial spraying as a pilot in the appropriate category of aircraft:

(iii) if the person seeks to instruct in aerial VTA operations, a minimum of 100 hours flight time experience as a pilot in the appropriate category of aircraft, comprising flight time experience on aerial topdressing operations and at least 50 hours of flight time experience on aerial VTA operations; and

(4) Reserved

(5) Reserved

(6) demonstrate to the Director adequate technical knowledge of agricultural aviation by passing an oral examination and a flight test that are acceptable to the Director; and

(7) if not already the holder of a current flight instructor rating, have satisfactorily completed an approved instructional techniques course within the 12 months prior to applying for a Category E flight instructor rating, or such other period acceptable to the Director.

Category D flight instructor

(b) To be eligible for the issue of a Category D flight instructor rating, a person must—

(1) be the holder of at least a current commercial pilot licence for the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(2) have a minimum of 700 hours flight time experience as a pilot including pilot-in-command experience acceptable to the Director; and

(3) if the person seeks to instruct at night, have night flight experience acceptable to the Director; and

(4) if the person seeks to instruct in multi-engine aircraft, have multi-engine flight experience acceptable to the Director; and

(5) if the person seeks to instruct in instrument flight, have an appropriate current instrument rating; and

(6) demonstrate to the Director the ability to competently instruct for aircraft type conversion by passing an oral examination and a flight test that are acceptable to the Director; and

(7) if not already the holder of an instructor rating, have satisfactorily completed an approved course in the practice and theory of flight instruction.

Category C flight instructor

(c) To be eligible for the issue of a Category C flight instructor rating, a person must—

(1) be the holder of at least a current commercial pilot licence for the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(2) have a minimum of 200 hours flight time experience as a pilot in the appropriate category of aircraft comprising specific flight experience that is acceptable to the Director; and

(3) if the person seeks to instruct at night, have night flight experience acceptable to the Director; and

(4) if the person seeks to instruct in multi-engine aircraft, have multi-engine flight experience acceptable to the Director; and

(5) if the person seeks to instruct in spinning or aerobatic manoeuvres in aeroplanes, have aerobatic experience acceptable to the Director; and

(6) have satisfactorily completed an approved course in the practice and theory of flight instruction; and

(7) have passed oral examinations in the following subject areas:

(i) aeroplane or helicopter principles of flight and performance, as appropriate:

(ii) meteorology:

(iii) cross-country navigation techniques:

(iv) the practice and theory of flight instruction:

(8) have a minimum of 25 hours dual flight instructor training or approved equivalent; and

(9) demonstrate to the Director the ability to give flight instruction in the appropriate category of aircraft in all normal and emergency flight manoeuvres by passing an oral examination and a flight test that are acceptable to the Director.

(ca) A person who holds a current New Zealand Defence Force flight instructor qualification may be accepted by the Director as meeting the requirements in—

(1) paragraph (c)(2); and

(2) paragraph (c)(6), if the person’s New Zealand Defence Force instructor qualification is for aeroplanes; and

(3) paragraph (c)(8).

Category B flight instructor

(d) To be eligible for the issue of a Category B flight instructor rating, a person must—

(1) be the holder of at least a current commercial pilot licence for the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(2) be the holder of a Category C flight instructor rating or approved equivalent for the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(3) have a minimum of 500 hours flight time experience as a pilot in the appropriate category of aircraft comprising specific flight experience that is acceptable to the Director; and

(4) have night flight experience acceptable to the Director if the person seeks to instruct at night; and

(4a) in addition to paragraph (4), have appropriate night flight using NVIS experience as specified in a notice under rule 91.273 if the person seeks to instruct at night using NVIS;

(5) have multi-engine flight experience acceptable to the Director if the person seeks to instruct in multi-engine aircraft; and

(6) have aerobatic experience acceptable to the Director if the person seeks to instruct in spinning or aerobatic manoeuvres in an aeroplane; and

(7) have passed oral examinations in the following subject areas:

(i) aeroplane or helicopter principles of flight and performance as appropriate:

(ii) meteorology:

(iii) cross-country navigation techniques:

(iv) the practice and theory of flight instruction; and

(8) demonstrate to the Director the ability to give flight instruction in the appropriate category of aircraft in all normal and emergency flight manoeuvres by passing an oral examination and a flight test that are acceptable to the Director.

(da) A person who holds a current New Zealand Defence Force flight instructor qualification may be accepted by the Director as meeting the flight time experience required by paragraph (d)(3) for the issue of a Category B flight instructor rating.

Category A flight instructor

(e) To be eligible for the issue of a Category A flight instructor rating, a person must—

(1) be the holder of at least a current commercial pilot licence for the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(2) be the holder of a Category B flight instructor rating or approved equivalent for the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(3) in the case of an aeroplane, be the holder of an instrument rating; and

(4) have a minimum of 1250 hours experience in the appropriate category of aircraft comprising specific flight experience that is acceptable to the Director; and

(5) have multi-engine flight experience acceptable to the Director if the person seeks to instruct in multi-engine aircraft; and

(6) have passed oral examinations in the following subject areas:

(i) aeroplane or helicopter principles of flight and performance as appropriate:

(ii) meteorology:

(iii) cross-country navigation techniques:

(iv) the practice and theory of flight instruction; and

(7) demonstrate to the Director an above average ability to give flight instruction in the appropriate category of aircraft during the day and night in all normal and emergency flight manoeuvres (including in the case of an aeroplane, spinning and aerobatic manoeuvres) by passing an oral examination and a flight test that are acceptable to the Director.

61.304 Issue

If the Director is satisfied that an applicant for a flight instructor rating has met the applicable requirements of rule 61.303, the Director may, in accordance with section 75 of the Act, issue the rating by endorsing the applicant’s pilot licence with the applicable category of flight instructor rating.

61.305 Privileges and limitations

Category E flight instructor

(a) An appropriate current Category E flight instructor rating authorises the holder to—

(1) give technical and flight instruction in agricultural aircraft operations to the holder of a current pilot licence for the purpose of aerial topdressing, aerial spraying, or aerial VTA:

(2) authorise solo practice in aerial topdressing, aerial spraying, or aerial VTA by the holder of a current pilot licence who does not hold an agricultural rating:

(3) give conversion instruction and issue an agricultural aircraft type rating under rule 61.55, if the instructor has at least 50 hours flight time experience as pilot-in-command in the same type of aircraft to be used for instruction:

(4) Reserved

(5) conduct competency checks for agricultural ratings under rule 61.707:

(6) conduct competency checks under Subpart OA (aerial topdressing), Subpart OB (aerial spraying), and Subpart OC (aerial VTA):

(b) A flight instructor holding a Category E flight instructor rating must not exercise the privileges specified in—

(1) paragraph (a) unless the flight instructor holds an appropriate pilot licence, and aircraft type rating or an authorisation under rule 61.57 for the type of aircraft being used; and

(2) paragraph (a)(1), unless the flight instructor holds an appropriate and current rating for the agricultural aircraft operation being conducted.

(c) Reserved

Category D flight instructor

(d) Subject to paragraphs (e), (f), and (g), an appropriate current Category D flight instructor rating authorises the holder to—

(1) give the holder of a pilot licence instrument flight instruction to the standard required for an instrument rating using radio aids to navigation; and

(2) conduct aircraft type ratings.

(e) Paragraph (d) applies only to a Category D flight instructor who holds an aircraft type rating or an authorisation under rule 61.57 for the type of aircraft being used for such instruction.

(f) The holder of a Category D flight instructor rating must not give instrument flight instruction, unless the instructor is the holder of a current instrument rating for—

(1) the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(2) the approach aid or system used for instruction.

(g) Unless an appropriately authorised flight examiner has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has the necessary experience and demonstrated competence in that activity, the holder of a Category D flight instructor rating must not instruct—

(1) at night or using NVIS; or

(2) in a multi-engine aircraft; or

(3) in instrument flight.

Category C flight instructor

(h) Subject to paragraphs (i), (j), (k), and (l), an appropriate current Category C flight instructor rating authorises the holder, when under the supervision of the holder of an appropriate current Category A or B flight instructor rating, to—

(1) give flight instruction; and

(2) authorise a solo flight other than a first solo flight by a student pilot by day; and

(3) authorise a solo flight other than a first solo flight by a student pilot by night; and

(4) record in a pilot's logbook that the pilot has complied with any requirements prescribed for pilots that require logbook certification in accordance with Category C flight instructor privileges; and

(5) conduct aircraft type ratings.

(i) Paragraph (h) applies only to a Category C flight instructor who holds an aircraft type rating or an authorisation under rule 61.57 for the type of aircraft being used for such instruction or assessment.

(j) The holder of a Category C flight instructor rating must not exercise the privileges in paragraph (h) unless for at least the first 6 consecutive months and for a minimum of the first 100 hours of instructional flying, the flight instructor is under the direct supervision of the holder of a Category A or B flight instructor rating who is—

(1) on the same aerodrome, at the same time; and

(2) directly responsible for the flight instruction actions of the flight instructor under supervision.

(k) The holder of a Category C flight instructor rating must not give instrument flight instruction in IMC or on an IFR flight plan, unless the instructor is the holder of a current instrument rating for—

(1) the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(2) the approach aid or system used for instruction.

(l) Unless an appropriately authorised flight examiner has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has the necessary experience and demonstrated competence in that activity, the holder of a Category C flight instructor rating must not instruct—

(1) at night; or

(2) in a multi-engine aircraft; or

(3) in the case of an aeroplane, in spinning or aerobatics.(la) The holder of a Category C flight instructor rating must not use NVIS if allowed to instruct at night under paragraph (l)(1).

(la) The holder of a Category C flight instructor rating must not use NVIS if allowed to instruct at night under paragraph (l)(1).

Category B flight instructor

(m) Subject to paragraphs (n), (o), and (p), an appropriate current Category B flight instructor rating authorises the holder to—

(1) give flight instruction; and

(2) authorise a solo flight; and

(3) record in a pilot's logbook that the pilot has complied with any requirements prescribed for pilots that require logbook certification; and

(4) conduct aircraft type ratings; and

(5) conduct biennial flight reviews.

(n) Paragraph (m) applies only to a Category B flight instructor who holds an aircraft type rating or an authorisation under rule 61.57 for the type of aircraft being used for such instruction or assessment.

(o) The holder of a Category B flight instructor rating must not give instrument flight instruction in IMC or on an IFR flight plan, unless the instructor is the holder of a current instrument rating for—

(1) the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(2) the approach aid or system used for instruction.

(p) Unless an appropriately authorised flight examiner has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has the necessary experience and demonstrated competence in that activity, the holder of a Category B flight instructor rating must not instruct—

(1) at night or using NVIS; or

(2) in a multi-engine aircraft; or

(3) in the case of an aeroplane, in spinning or aerobatics.

Category A flight instructor

(q) Subject to paragraphs (r), (s), and (t), an appropriate current Category A flight instructor rating authorises the holder to—

(1) give flight instruction during the day or night; and

(1a) in addition to paragraph (1), give flight instruction during the night using NVIS if the holder meets the applicable requirements; and

(2) authorise a solo flight during the day or night; and

(2a) in addition to paragraph (2), authorise a solo flight during the night using NVIS if the holder meets the applicable requirements; and

(3) record in a pilot's logbook that the pilot has complied with any requirements prescribed for pilots that require logbook certification; and

(4) conduct aircraft type ratings; and

(5) conduct biennial flight reviews; and

(6) give spinning and aerobatic instruction.

(r) Paragraph (q) applies only to a Category A flight instructor who holds an aircraft type rating or an authorisation under rule 61.57 for the type of aircraft being used for such instruction or assessment.

(s) The holder of a Category A flight instructor rating must not give instrument flight instruction in IMC or on an IFR flight plan, unless the instructor is the holder of a current instrument rating for—

(1) the appropriate category of aircraft; and

(2) the approach aid or system used for instruction.

(t) The holder of a Category A flight instructor rating must not instruct in multi-engine aircraft unless an appropriately authorised flight examiner has certified in that holder's logbook that the holder has the necessary experience and has demonstrated competence in that activity.

61.307 Currency requirements

(a) A flight instructor holding a Category E flight instructor rating must not exercise the privileges of the rating unless the flight instructor holds a current Grade 1 agricultural rating for the same category of aircraft.

(b) The holder of a Category D flight instructor rating must not give instrument flight instruction unless the flight instructor holds a current instrument rating.

(c) The holder of a Category A, B, C, or D flight instructor rating must not give IFR cross-country navigation instruction, unless the flight instructor holds a current instrument rating and has completed a minimum of 50 hours as pilot-in-command on IFR cross-country operations that has been certified by a flight examiner in the instructor’s logbook.

(d) The holder of a Category B or C flight instructor rating must not give flight instruction unless within the immediately preceding 12 months,—

(1) the flight instructor has demonstrated competency to an appropriately authorised flight examiner in accordance with the appropriate category flight instructor flight test syllabus; and

(2) the flight examiner who conducts the competency demonstration certifies the successful completion of the check in the pilot’s logbook in accordance with rule 61.29.

(e) The holder of a Category A or E flight instructor rating must not give flight instruction unless within the immediately preceding 24 months,—

(1) the flight instructor has demonstrated competency to an appropriately authorised flight examiner in accordance with the appropriate category flight instructor flight test syllabus; and

(2) the flight examiner who conducts the competency demonstration certifies the successful completion of the check in the pilot’s logbook in accordance with rule 61.29.

(f) A person who completes the demonstration required by paragraphs (d) or (e) within 60 days before the date on which the flight test is required is deemed to have completed the requirements on the required date.

(g) A flight instructor holding a Category E flight instructor rating when giving flight instruction on agricultural aircraft may count the time as flight time to meet the requirements in rule 61.701(b)(2).

(h) The holder of a Category A or B flight instructor rating who does not meet the currency requirements for the rating, but who meets those requirements for a lower category rating, may exercise the privileges of that lower category of flight instructor.

61.311 Flight instructor to implement additional training under Subpart I

Before issuing a type rating under this Part or authorising a student pilot to fly an aircraft solo under rule 61.105, an appropriately qualified flight instructor must:

(1) consider whether the Director has issued requirements in a notice under Subpart I in respect of an aircraft, for which the type rating is to be issued, or that the student pilot is to fly solo; and

(2) the Director has issued requirements in a notice under Subpart I, apply and test the additional training required before issuing the rating or authorising the solo flight.

 

Subpart F

Subpart I