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(a) Except as provided in rule 91.303, and paragraphs (b) and (c), a pilotin- command must not operate an aircraft under VFR—
(1) when the flight visibility is less than that prescribed for the corresponding class of airspace in Table 4; or
(2) at a distance from clouds that is less than that prescribed for the corresponding class of airspace in Table 4.
(b) Except as provided in rule 91.303, a pilot-in-command must not perform a take-off or landing in an aircraft, or fly in the vicinity of an aerodrome, under VFR when the flight visibility, or the cloud ceiling, is less than—
(1) at aerodromes within a control zone, that prescribed in Table 5; and
(2) at aerodromes in uncontrolled airspace, that prescribed in Table 6.
(c) A pilot-in-command of—
(1) a helicopter may operate in Class G airspace with a flight visibility of less than 5 km if manoeuvred at a speed that gives adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstructions in order to avoid collisions; and
(2) an aircraft performing agricultural aircraft operations, may operate in Class G airspace with a flight visibility of less than 5 km but not less than 1500 m; and
(3) an aircraft performing flight instruction may operate within a designated low flying zone prescribed under Part 71 with a flight visibility of less than 5 km but not less than 1500 m.
Table 4. Airspace VFR meteorological minima
| Class of airspace | Distance from cloud | Flight visibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Clear of cloud | 8 km at or above 10 000 feet AMSL 5 km below 10 000 feet AMSL | |
| C, D, and E | 2 km horizontally 1000 feet vertically outside a control zone 500 feet vertically within a control zone | ||
| F and G | Above 3000 feet AMSL or 1000 feet above terrain whichever is the higher | 2 km horizontally 1000 feet vertically | |
| At or below 3000 feet AMSL or 1000 feet above the terrain whichever is the higher | Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface | 5 km | |
Table 5. VFR minima at aerodromes within a control zone
| Ceiling | Flight visibility | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| All aircraft | Day and Night | 1500 feet | 5 km |
Table 6. VFR minima at aerodromes in uncontrolled airspace
| Ceiling | Flight visibility | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| All aircraft | Day | 600 feet | 1500 m |
| All aircraft | Night | 1500 feet | 8 km |
A pilot-in-command of an aircraft may perform a VFR operation within a control zone in meteorological conditions below those prescribed in rule 91.301 if—
(1) the ceiling and flight visibility is—
(i) at least 600 feet and at least 1500 m respectively; or
(ii) for helicopters, less than 600 feet and less than 1500 m respectively if the helicopter is operated at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstructions in order to avoid collisions; and
(2) the aircraft is equipped with two-way radio capable of communicating with ATC on the appropriate frequency; and
(3) the operation is conducted—
(i) in compliance with an ATC clearance and any ATC instructions; and
(ii) only during the day; and
(iii) clear of clouds.
(a) A pilot-in-command of an aeroplane must not begin a flight under VFR unless, in the forecast weather conditions, the aeroplane has enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing at the planned normal cruising speed and to fly after that point of intended landing for at least—
(1) a further 30 minutes during the day; or
(2) a further 45 minutes at night; or
(3) for an aeroplane that has a special category—limited airworthiness certificate or a special category—exhibition airworthiness certificate, the flying time specified for the VFR minimum fuel reserve in the operator statement required under rule 47.55(c).
(b) A pilot-in-command of a helicopter must not begin a flight under VFR unless, in the forecast weather conditions, the helicopter has enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing at the planned cruising speed, and to fly after that point of intended landing for at least —
(1) a further 20 minutes; or
(2) for flights of less than 20 minutes duration, for a further period equal to the anticipated flight time; or
(3) for a helicopter that has a special category—limited airworthiness certificate or a special category—exhibition airworthiness certificate, the flying time specified for the VFR minimum fuel reserve in the operator statement required under rule 47.55(c).
(a) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft must submit a VFR flight plan to an appropriate ATS unit before starting any flight conducted under VFR if—
(1) the pilot-in-command plans to proceed more than 50 NM from shore; or
(2) the pilot-in-command requires an alerting service.
(b) In addition to the requirement in paragraph (a), a pilot-in-command of an aircraft may submit a VFR flight plan to an appropriate ATS unit for any other flight conducted under VFR.
(c) A VFR flight plan referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) must include the following information:
(1) the aircraft registration and callsign:
(2) the type of aircraft to be used:
(3) the route including, if practicable for each route segment, aerodromes of departure and intended landing, estimated elapsed times, and time on the ground at each intermediate aerodrome:
(4) the SARTIME:
(5) fuel endurance:
(6) the total number of persons in the aircraft:
(7) the name and telephone contact details of the pilot-in-command:
(8) the name of the aircraft owner or operator:
(9) any additional information that may assist search and rescue operations.
(d) If a VFR flight plan has been submitted to an ATS unit under paragraphs (a) or (b), the pilot-in-command must—
(1) inform an appropriate ATS unit of any change to the details in the flight plan and of any change to the flight plan SARTIME before the expiry of that SARTIME; and
(2) terminate the flight plan by advising an appropriate ATS unit before the flight plan SARTIME.
A pilot-in-command of an aircraft on a VFR flight must, when operating in controlled airspace, report the position of the aircraft to ATC at the times or reporting points required by ATC.
(a) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft must not operate the aircraft under VFR—
(1) over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons at a height of less than 1000 feet above the surface or any obstacle that is within a horizontal radius of 600 metres from the point immediately below the aircraft; or
(2) over any other area—
(i) at a height of less than 500 feet above the surface; or
(ii) at a height of less than 500 feet above any obstacle, person, vehicle, vessel, or structure that is within a horizontal radius of 150 metres from the point immediately below the aircraft; and
(3) for any operation, at a height less than that required to execute an emergency landing in the event of engine failure without hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a pilot-in-command of an aircraft—
(1) conducting a take-off or landing; or
(2) conducting a balked landing or discontinued approach; or
(3) taxiing.
(c) Paragraph (a)(2) does not apply to a pilot-in-command of an aircraft if the bona fide purpose of the flight requires the aircraft to be flown at a height lower than that prescribed in paragraph (a)(2), but only if—
(1) the flight is performed without hazard to persons or property on the surface; and
(2) only persons performing an essential function associated with the flight are carried on the aircraft; and
(3) the aircraft is not flown at a height lower than that required for the purpose of the flight; and
(4) the horizontal distance that the aircraft is flown from any obstacle, person, vessel, vehicle, or structure is not less than that necessary for the purpose of the flight, except that in the case of an aeroplane, the aeroplane remains outside a horizontal radius of 150 metres from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure that is not associated with the operation.
(d) Paragraph (a)(2) does not apply to a pilot-in-command—
(1) who is the holder of, or authorised by the holder of, a current instructor rating issued under Part 61 and who is conducting flight training or practice flights consisting of—
(i) simulated engine failure after take-off commencing below 1000 feet above the surface; or
(ii) simulated engine failure commencing above 1000 feet above the surface provided that descent below 500 feet above the surface is conducted within a low flying zone in accordance with rule 91.131; or
(2) who is the holder of a current instrument rating issued under Part 61 and who is conducting IFR training, testing, or practice flights under VFR, but only if the pilot-in-command conducts the flight in accordance with rules 91.413, 91.423 and 91.425; or
(3) operating an aircraft within a low flying zone in accordance with rule 91.131; or
(4) operating an aircraft at an aviation event in accordance with rule 91.703.
(a) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft operating within the New Zealand FIR under VFR in level cruising flight at more than 3000 feet AMSL or 1000 feet AGL (whichever is the higher) must, unless otherwise authorised by an ATC unit, maintain the following altitudes or flight levels:
(1) when operating at or below 13 000 feet AMSL and—
(i) on a magnetic track of 270° clockwise to 089°, any odd thousand foot altitude AMSL plus 500 feet; or
(ii) on a magnetic track of 090° clockwise to 269°, any even thousand foot altitude AMSL plus 500 feet:
(2) when operating at or above flight level 150, up to and including flight level 275 and—
(i) on a magnetic track of 270° clockwise to 089°, any odd flight level plus 500 feet beginning at and including flight level 155; or
(ii) on a magnetic track of 090° clockwise to 269°, any even flight level plus 500 feet beginning at and including flight level 165.
(b) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft operating within the New Zealand FIR under VFR must not maintain level cruising flight—
(1) at any level between 13 000 feet AMSL and flight level 150 unless otherwise authorised by an ATC unit for flights in controlled airspace; and
(2) at any flight level below flight level 160 when an area QNH zone setting is 980 hPa or less.
A pilot-in-command of an aircraft must not perform a take-off under VFR in an aircraft that has snow, ice, or frost, adhering to the wings, stabilisers, or control surfaces.
