The many terms, abbreviations and aviation specific language you hear can be hard to understand. There are a lot of acronyms. To help make sense of what they all mean we’ve developed this glossary.
| CAA | Civil Aviation Authority | The CAA's role is to manage safety and security risks in New Zealand civil aviation through the implementation of efficient oversight, regulatory, and promotional action |
| Controlled Airspace | Airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC services are provided | In place to provide a safe area for aircraft operations around an aerodrome for landing and take-off and for aircraft enroute between two aerodromes |
| Drone | An alternative term for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) | |
| Flight Information Service | A service provided for the purpose of giving information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights | |
| GA | General Aviation | Civil aviation operations other than scheduled and non-scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to corporate jet flights |
| ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization | ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It sets international standards and recommended practices for the contracting States (one of which NZ is) for the safety and security of the aviation system. |
| LOS | Line of Sight | |
| MBZ | Mandatory Broadcast Zone | Designated zones in uncontrolled airspace in which an aircraft operator must make a number of broadcasts on the radio frequency assigned to the MBZ to report position and intention. These areas are designated due to high traffic density or special circumstances. Details relating to these zones can be found in CAA regulations Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules. Location of MBZs can be found in this document. |
| NOTAM | Notice to Airman | A notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of the flight. A notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations. NOTAMS are distributed by way of telecommunications. To file a NOTAM please go to: www.ifis.airways.co.nz |
| PIC | Pilot in Command | In relation to any aircraft, means the pilot responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft (Rule Part 1) |
| PPL | Private Pilot’s Licence | |
| Rules | The Minister of Transport approves 'Civil Aviation Rules' that are administered by CAA and detail requirements relating to: Rules of the Air, General Operating Rules, Certification for Airways Services, organisations and operators, Aerodromes, Airspace, Personnel and Procedures |
The Civil Aviation Rules are split into 'Parts' covering specific areas. Part 101 of the Civil Aviation Rules prescribes the rules relating to Gyrogliders and Parasails; Unmanned Aircraft (including Balloons), Kites, and Rockets. Part 102 prescribes the rules relating to Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certification.
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| Restricted Airspace | An area of airspace in which the CAA has determined that air traffic must be restricted for safety or security concerns | |
| RPAS | Remotely Piloted Aircraft System | RPAS has been adopted as the ICAO definition of unmanned aircraft technology |
| RSM | Radio Spectrum Management | RSM is responsible for efficiently and effectively managing the radio spectrum in New Zealand, including through allocating spectrum rights and enforcing compliance. |
| SUA | Special Use Airspace | Airspace may be designated as an SUA in the interests of safety, securtiy or public interest. Examples include restricted airspace, military operating areas, mandatory broadcast zones and danger areas. |
| Transponder | A device that emits an identifying signal in response to an interrogating received signal | Aircraft carrying a transponder allows ATC to know the location of the aircraft and ensure a safe seperation between aircraft |
| UAS | Unmanned Aerial System | Describes an unmanned aircraft vehicle and associated software |
| UAV | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle | An aircraft without a human pilot aboard. Its flight is controlled either autonomously by onboard computers or by the remote control of a pilot on the ground or in another vehicle. |
| UAVNZ | UAV industry body in New Zealand comprising of commercial UAV operators, UAV manufacturers, Airways New Zealand, research and development organisations, and Callaghan Innovation | UAVNZ aims to maximise the benefits from UAV technologies and develop a world-class UAV industry in New Zealand |
| Uncontrolled airspace | Airspace where an Air Traffic Control (ATC) service is not deemed necessary or cannot be provided for practical reasons | |
| VNC | Visual Navigation Chart | Intended for pre-flight planning and in-flight navigation |