Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules

The objective of Part 91 is to ensure that operators can conduct the safe operation of aircraft with the minimum endangerment to persons and property.

Part 91 forms the basis of general operating and flight rules for the New Zealand aviation environment and sets out the minimum compliance requirements applicable to all flights. Part 91 applies to all operators of aircraft as well as passengers by establishing—

• general rules applicable to operators and passengers
• operating and general flight rules
• rules for VFR and IFR operations
• instruments and equipment requirements for aircraft
• operator maintenance requirements
• special flight operating requirements such as aerobatics, air displays, towing gliders and aircraft used for parachuting
• operating foreign registered aircraft
• limitations on aircraft noise

Download the PDF version of the Part 91 consolidation [PDF 772 KB] or browse the content below.

Consolidations of the Civil Aviation Rules are for reference – they are not the official versions of the rules – to view those, see 'history of amendments'.

The history of amendments below, when expanded, shows copies of the original issue, amendments, and re-issues of this Part. Other legislative changes shown are for reference – to view the full version of the relevant amendment Act, see www.legislation.govt.nz(external link)

View Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules

• Subpart A - General (91.1 - 91.15)
• Subpart B - Operating Rules (91.101 - 91.139)
• Subpart C - General Flight Rules (91.201 - 91.263)
• Subpart D - Visual Flight Rules (91.301 - 91.315)
• Subpart E - Instrument Flight Rules (91.401 - 91.431)
• Subpart F - Instrument and Equipment Requirements (91.501 - 91.547)
• Subpart G - Operator Maintenance Requirements (91.601 - 91.623)
• Subpart H - Special Flight Operations (91.701 - 91.711)
• Subpart I - Foreign Registered Aircraft Operations and Operation of NZ Registered Aircraft Outside New Zealand (91.751 - 91.757)
• Subpart J - Operating Noise Limits (91.801 - 91.807)
• Appendix A - Instrument and equipment specifications