Download the PDF consolidation of Part 61 [PDF 497 KB]
(a) To be eligible for an aerobatic flight rating a pilot must—
(1) have successfully completed an aerobatics ground course conducted under the authority of—
(i) an aviation training organisation certificate issued under the Act and Part 141 if the certificate authorises the holder to conduct the course; or
(ii) an aviation recreation organisation certificate issued under the Act and Part 149 if the certificate authorises the holder to conduct the course; and
(2) have successfully completed an aerobatics flight training course conducted under the authority of—
(i) a certificate referred to in paragraph (1)(i) if the certificate authorises the holder to conduct the course; or
(ii) a certificate referred to in paragraph (1)(ii) if the certificate authorises the holder to conduct the course; and
(3) have successfully demonstrated competency in aerobatics and spinning to—
(i) an appropriately qualified flight instructor who operates under the authority of a certificate referred to in paragraph (1)(i) if the certificate authorises the holder to conduct the assessment; or
(ii) a person who operates under the authority of a certificate referred to in paragraph (1)(ii) if the certificate authorises the holder to conduct the assessment; and
(4) hold a current class 1 or class 2 medical certificate issued under the Act.
(b) A holder of the following is deemed to have met the eligibility requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2)—
(1) a current aerobatic rating issued by an ICAO Contracting State; or
(2) a New Zealand Defence Force pilot qualification.
(c) A pilot who holds a current pilot licence and has passed a New Zealand Defence Force aerobatic assessment in the 2 years before applying for an aerobatic flight rating is deemed to have met all the eligibility requirements of paragraph (a).
(a) If the flight instructor or authorised person who conducted the competency demonstration required by rule 61.551 is satisfied that the pilot complies with rule 61.551, the flight instructor or authorised person may issue the aerobatic rating by entering the following statement in the pilot’s logbook:
I certify that on [date of assessment] [name of pilot and client number] satisfied the requirements of Part 61 of the Civil Aviation Rules for the issue of an aerobatic rating. [enter the date, full name, signature, and licence number of the flight instructor or authorised person issuing the rating].
(b) The holder of an aerobatic flight rating issued under paragraph (a) or a pilot meeting the requirements of rule 61.551(c) may apply to the Director to have the rating endorsed on the holder’s pilot licence.
(c) On receipt of an application under paragraph (b) and payment of the applicable fee, the Director may endorse the pilot licence with the aerobatic flight rating.
(d) To avoid doubt, a statement of endorsement made in a pilot’s logbook prior to 15 April 2016 is deemed to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a) of rule 61.551.
(a) Subject to the privileges and limitations of the pilot licence or certificate held, a current aerobatic flight rating authorises the holder to conduct aerobatic manoeuvres within the following limitations:
(1) at a height not less than 3000 feet above the surface while carrying a passenger:
(2) at a height not less than 1500 feet above the surface while not carrying a passenger:
(3) at a height less than 1500 feet above the surface while not carrying a passenger when authorised by the holder of an aviation recreation organisation certificate issued in accordance with Part 149, if the certificate authorises the holder to organise aviation events.
(a) A holder of an aerobatic flight rating must not exercise the privileges of the rating unless,—
(1) within the previous 2 years, the holder has successfully demonstrated competency as required by rule 61.551(a)(3);
(2) the flight instructor or authorised person who conducts the competency demonstration certifies the successful completion of the check in the pilot’s logbook in accordance with rule 61.29; and
(3) holds a current class 1 or class 2 medical certificate issued under the Act.
(b) A pilot who successfully completes the competency demonstration within 60 days before the date on which it is required is deemed to have completed the demonstration on the required date.
