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In this subpart:

91.701 Aerobatic flight

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (e), a pilot-in-command must not operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight—

(1) over an area that is within a horizontal distance of 600 metres of a congested area of a city, town, or settlement; or

(2) over an area that is within a horizontal distance of 600 metres of an open air assembly of persons; or

(3) within any controlled airspace except with the authorisation of ATC.

(b) Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (f), a pilot-in-command must not operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight below a height of 3000 feet above the surface.

(c) A pilot-in-command may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight below a height of 3000 feet above the surface—

(1) but not less than 1500 feet above the surface if the pilot holds an aerobatic rating issued in accordance with Part 61; and

(2) below a height of 1500 feet above the surface if the pilot—

(i) holds an aerobatic rating issued in accordance with Part 61; and

(ii) does not perform aerobatic flight below the height authorised in their aerobatic rating; and

(iii) is participating in an aviation event.

(d) A pilot-command must not operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight carrying a passenger unless─

(1) the pilot holds an aerobatic rating issued in accordance with Part 61; and

(2) the flight is conducted at a height not less than 3000 feet above the surface.

(e) A pilot-in-command may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight over an area that is within a horizontal distance of 600 metres of spectators at an aviation event if the pilot is participating in that aviation event in accordance with rule 91.703.

(f) A pilot of a glider may operate a glider in aerobatic flight below a height of 3000 feet above the surface without holding an aerobatic rating issued in accordance with Part 61 if—

(1) the aerobatic flight is for the purpose of spin training; and

(2) the flight is conducted at a height not less than 1000 feet above the surface.

91.703 Aviation events

(a) A person must not conduct an aviation event or operate an aircraft in an aviation event, unless the organiser of the event is the holder of an aviation event authorisation issued by the Director.

(b) Each applicant for an aviation event authorisation must submit an aviation event plan to the Director at least 90 days prior to the start of the aviation event.

(c) The aviation event plan required by paragraph (b) must —

(1) contain the following information about the proposed aviation event—

(i) name, position, and address of the organiser; and

(ii) place, date, and time; and

(iii) type of event; and

(iv) details of the structure of the organisation including persons who are responsible for supervising the aviation event; and

(v) details of the flying programme; and

(vi) detailed plan and description of the site with sufficient detail to show compliance with the requirements of paragraph (d); and

(vii) details of control methods to be used for the safety of the spectators; and

(viii) details of emergency services to be provided; and

(2) be acceptable to the Director.

(d) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft participating in an aviation event must—

(1) for display flights, other than a display of agricultural operations or helicopter operations, operate at a height of at least 100 feet above the surface; and

(2) fly the aircraft aligned with reference to a display line sufficiently distanced from spectators so as not to cause undue risk to persons or property on the surface; and

(3) not carry any passengers; and

(4) not fly over any spectator area; and

(5) not conduct any manoeuvre between the display line and any spectator area; and

(6) with the exception of a helicopter hovering or taxiing, not initiate any manoeuvre in the direction of any spectator area.

(e) Paragraph (a) does not apply to aviation events at which—

(1) not more than 500 people are in attendance; or

(2) there are no more than three participating aircraft; or

(3) the aircraft are in one formation.

91.705 Parachute-drop operations

(a) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft performing a parachute-drop operation must hold a parachute-drop rating issued by the Dirctor under the Act and Part 61.

(b) An operator of an aircraft performing a parachute-drop operation must ensure that—

(1) the aircraft used to perform the operation has a valid standard category airworthiness certificate; and

(2) the configuration of the aircraft is appropriate for the parachutedrop operation; and

(3) the aircraft has adequate interior room and satisfactory egress for each parachutist to be carried; and

(4) the aircraft cabin has no handles or fittings which could cause the inadvertent opening of a parachute in the aircraft or during egress by any parachutist; and

(5) suitable points on the aircraft are used for the attachment of static lines; and

(6) the aircraft flight manual authorises flight with a door removed, or open, in flight; and

(c) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft performing a parachute-drop operation must ensure that—

(1) each person carried in the aircraft, other than a person intending to make a parachute descent, —

(i) occupies a seat and fastens their safety belt during take-off and landing; and

(ii) wears an emergency or reserve parachute assembly; and

(iii) is trained in the use of the emergency or reserve parachute assembly; and

(iv) is briefed on the general procedures to be followed in an aircraft emergency including the method to be used for exiting the aircraft; and

(2) each person carried in the aircraft who intends to make a parachute descent —

(i) is not in a position in the aircraft that could hazard the safety of the operation or the aircraft occupants through inadvertent interference with the controls; and

(ii) is briefed on the general procedures to be followed in an aircraft emergency including the method to be used for exiting the aircraft.

(d) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft performing a parachute-drop operation must not permit a person to make a parachute descent from the aircraft, unless—

(1) the person or persons making the descent have provided the pilot with the details of the proposed descent prior to take-off; and

(2) the pilot is satisfied that each person’s descent is—

(i) authorised by a parachute organisation; or

(ii) authorised by a holder of an adventure aviation operator certificate issued by the director under the Act and Part 115 if the certificate authorises tandem parachute operations; or

(iii) approved by the Director.

91.707 Emergency parachute assemblies

A pilot-in-command of an aircraft must not allow a parachute assembly that is available for emergency use to be carried in the aircraft unless the parachute assembly—

(1) meets the requirements of Appendix A.25; and

(2) has been adequately protected from damage from any condition or substance that may be harmful to the materials from which the parachute assembly has been constructed; and

(3) has been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and packed within the preceding calendar year by—

(i) the holder of a parachute technician rating issued by a parachute organisation; or

(ii) the parachute manufacturer; or

(iii) a New Zealand Defence Force parachute technician; or

(iv) a person otherwise approved by the Director; and

(4) is accompanied by a packing card containing certification of serviceability by the person who maintained or packed the parachute.

91.709 Towing gliders

(a) A person must not tow a glider in flight unless that person holds a glider tow rating issued under Part 61.

(b) A person must not tow a glider in flight unless—

(1) the aircraft used for towing is operated at airspeeds below the maximum airspeed specified for aero-tow in the glider flight manual; and

(2) the towing load does not exceed the maximum load specified in the aircraft flight manual; and

(3) the person has checked the operation of the tow hook of the aircraft to be used before the flight; and

(4) the person uses the take-off, glider release, airspeed, and emergency signals established by a gliding organisation for the pilots of tow aircraft and gliders; and

(5) the take-off distance to clear a 50 foot obstacle with the glider in tow does not exceed 85% of the take-off run available; and

(6) the aircraft is capable of maintaining a rate of climb of at least 200 feet per minute at 1000 feet above the aerodrome with the glider in tow.

(c) A person must not operate an aircraft to tow a glider in flight unless—

(1) the aircraft to be used is equipped with—

(i) a tow hook and attachment assembly; and

(ii) a pilot-activated quick release capable of releasing the tow line from the tow hook with the glider in tow and while the tow aircraft is in flight; and

(2) the tow line to be used meets the requirements of Appendix A.26; and

(3) if more than one glider is being towed, the tow lines to be used are—

(i) one for each glider; and

(ii) of a length that provides a distance of not less than 50 m between any glider and the towing aircraft; and

(iii) of a length that provides a trailing separation of not less than 30 m between each glider; and

(iv) attached by a single tow ring to the aircraft, and capable of separation on release from the aircraft.

(d) Paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) do not apply to the towing of a hang glider in flight.

91.711 Towing objects other than gliders

(a) A pilot must not tow an object other than a glider in flight unless—

(1) they hold—

(i) a private pilot licence and a tow rating issued under Part 61; or

(ii) a commercial pilot licence issued under Part 61; or

(iii) an airline transport pilot licence issued under Part 61; and

(2) the aircraft—

(i) is equipped with a tow hook and attachment assembly which has a quick release mechanism; and

(ii) has a positive rate of climb at the altitudes to be operated.

(b) A pilot operating an aircraft that is towing an object other than a glider must not carry any passengers.

 

Subpart G

Subpart I