New Zealand Helicopter Association

23/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AfAb4FUDT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔸 New Rules come into effect today! 🔸

The new Part 101, 102, and 107 rules come into effect today, 22 December 2025.

One of the major changes is the introduction of the new Civil Aviation Transport Instrument CATI 101-1. The Transport Instrument sits “under” the Part 101 rule and specifies how to comply with some of those rules.

A good example of this is the rule 101.211 which states that a person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft at night unless under the circumstances specified in a transport instrument. CATI 101-1 then spells out what those circumstances are.

The reason for this change is that it allows the CAA to update the rules more efficiently. Rule changes must be signed by the Minister, but a Transport Instrument can be signed by the Director of Civil Aviation.

The new rules can be downloaded from the Pending Rules page on the CAA website, but we have summarised the changes for you here.

🔸 Key changes in Part 101 are:
1. Shielded operations can take place up to 33ft above the shield (other than at night).
2. A person operating an unmanned aircraft must not carry out aerial spraying, aerial topdressing or application of aerial vertebrate toxic agent. If you are applying agrichemicals you will have to have a Part 102 certificate even if the gross mass of your drone is less than 25kg.
3. Unshielded night operations can be conducted by Part 101 operators if they have completed a night rating course and have either flown at night within the last 90 days or have conducted a 30 minute shielded refamiliarisation flight at night.

A comparison table of changes to Part 101 is provided below.

🔸 Part 102 now clarifies that “the holder of an unmanned aircraft operator certificate who exercises a privilege which applies to both Civil Aviation Rule Parts 101 and 102 is deemed to have exercised the privilege under the authority of the certificate under Part 102.” An organisation cannot decide to ignore the provisions in its Part 102 exposition (such as reporting) just because it was possible to conduct a particular operation under Part 101.

🔸 Part 107 is a new rule for certification of Research and Development Organisations. This rule applies to both manned and unmanned aviation.

12/12/2025

A good vector article on VRS following on from a TAIC investigation. The NZHA and Aviation Industry Association was proud to bring Claude Vuichard from the Vuichard Recovery Aviation Safety Foundation to NZ with support from our sponsors and friends Gallagher (Insurance), Eye In The Sky NZ, Bell Flight, Suncourt Hotel Taupo, Wanaka Helicopters NZ and Bill Day to upskill pilots in helicopter flying techniques. It wasn’t just about VRS - autorotations, sloping ground, dynamic rollover, mountain flying and quick stops. Some new but simple techniques introduced and safety enhanced.

https://www.aviation.govt.nz/safety/safety-education-and-advice/education/vector-magazine/vector-online/knowing-the-hallmarks-of-vortex-ring-state/gt

This is the first in a new series called Vector Technical, which you'll be able to access in the category filter of the Vector Online landing page. A TAIC report1 into a 2023 vortex ring state accident said it was critical that helicopter pilots know the warning signs of VRS – the suddenly unstabl...

10/11/2025

Operators of the MD369 series of helicopters should pay attention to exposed tail rotor gearbox and flight control casings following a recent pre-flight inspection where a pilot found a defect in the tail rotor gearbox housing, which was initially thought to be a paint crack.

Paint defects, or evidence of oil leaks may be an indicator that a component casing is cracked, or damaged. CAA CAN65-002 refers......
https://www.aviation.govt.nz/aircraft/aircraft-maintenance/continuing-airworthiness-notices/show/65-002/

10/11/2025

A great result by the NZAAA and Aviation Industry Association of NZ. It is important for helicopter operators to know the District Plan limitations for operations. The limitations can change over the boundary in the next district. They apply for takeoff and landing only (including sling loads) as the District Plans have no jurisdiction once an aircraft is in the air.

26/10/2025

When working with Kevlar longlines they can flick into the blades. Take the line clear of the disc and avoid being upwind (xwind or down wind will blow it away from the helicopter). The line is not weighted when on the ground or on the back of a vehicle. Just like why we don’t throw anything from under the disc; we should avoid working with Kevlar lines under or next to the disc.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17djqQbugJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

18/10/2025

Want to be a helicopter pilot is NZ? Here is an opportunity to get a scholarship to help you on your way.

18/10/2025

Uncommanded hook releases are not common but incorrect rigging is a common cause. A good preflight can pick up issues.
https://www.facebook.com/share/17A2CicuC1/?mibextid=wwXIfrnded pke

A newly-published Occurrence Brief details the uncommanded release of an underslung load from an AS350 helicopter:
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/occurrence-briefs/2025/aviation/uncommanded-release-underslung-load-involving-eurocopter-350-b2-north-queensland-13-september-2025

21/09/2025

31/08/2025

Helicopter Assn of Canada Conference and Tradeshow - Nov 2025

NZTE has commenced planning for an exclusive networking reception during the Helicopter Association of Canada (HAC) Conference and Tradeshow to be held 4 - 6 Nov 2025, in Abbotsford, British Columbia. We had a great turn out at our event last year with 6 NZ Companies and total of 80 guests – including key aviation influencers and media from Canada and the USA.

We are seeking expressions of interest if your company wishes to participate in this year’s NZ networking reception at the HAC Conference.

The 30th annual HAC Conference and Trade Show will focus on safety, operational challenges, and technological advancements in the helicopter industry. Position your company at the forefront of New Zealand’s aviation industry by attending our high-value networking reception. Connect with in-market stakeholders, exchange insights with peers and showcase your company's unique offerings.

Conference dates: 4-6 November 2025

Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada *Networking reception date TBD. Cost: $1,200 NZD

Express interest by: 5 Sep 2025

Registration for an exclusive networking reception during the 2025 Helicopter Association of Canada Conference & Trade Show in Vancouver.

26/08/2025

NZHA Divisional Programme – Aviation Industry Conference 2025
The New Zealand Helicopter Association is pleased to announce its divisional programme for Conference Week 2025 in Wellington. This year’s line-up features a strong mix of legal, financial, operational, and technical expertise, alongside a collaborative industry incident review.

Programme Highlights:
David Wickham – Understanding Helicopter Financials
Garth Gallaway – Landmark Cases & Legal Crossroads
Sara Buchlar (Airbus) – From Maintenance to Operations: Embedding Safety and Airworthiness
Alvin Sim (Safran Helicopter Engines) – Arriel 1 & 2: Powering Performance
Diane Ah-Chan (NextEra) – Focusing on what matters
Incident Review Meeting – Root Causes in Recent Accidents & Incidents with Chief Pilots

The 2025 Conference is a showcase event for the aviation industry, to be held at Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre, 14 to 16 September 2025.

17/08/2025

🚁🌏 Happy !

We’re celebrating by recognising the world-class training delivered here in New Zealand last week and this weekend by the internationally renowned Claude Vuichard.

The Vuichard Recovery Aviation Safety Foundation NZ Seminars in Wānaka and Taupō brought together flight examiners, training managers, and instructors; the people who will cascade vital knowledge across our industry.

Feedback has been outstanding:
“Even with 20,000+ hours, I learnt new and simple techniques for autorotations, slope landings, dynamic rollover, IIMC and more.”

🙌 Huge thanks to our sponsors Wanaka Helicopters NZ, Gallagher, Eye In The Sky NZ, Bell Flight, Suncourt Hotel Taupo and our partners at the Australian Helicopter Industry Association, together with the Aviation Industry Association team, you made this possible.

NZHA Chair Scott McKenzie comments:
''Huge respect to Vuichard Claude who has the courage to analyse accidents and develop, beachcomb and train new techniques in a parochial industry that sometimes inadvertently drives a horizontal learning curve. Claude’s work to encourage the OEMs to design better should also be applauded louder.''

🚁 We’re proud to bring world-class training to New Zealand and play our part in lifting global helicopter safety standards.

13/08/2025

Wanaka Seminar Wrap-Up – Taupō Spots Still Available

The Wanaka seminar has wrapped up with excellent feedback from participants:

“Thoroughly recommended. Even if you have 20,000+ hours, it introduced new and simple techniques that will stop accidents for autorotations, slope landings, dynamic rollover, IIMC, etc.”

A big thank you to our generous sponsors – Wanaka Helicopters, Gallagher, Eye in the Sky, Bell and Suncourt Hotel – for helping make these seminars possible.

We still have a few spots available for this week’s Taupō seminar.
If you’re keen to attend, please get in touch with Ray at [email protected] to secure your place.