Aviation Industry Association

22/12/2024

🛫 IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR QUEENSTOWN AERODROME 🛬
From: Queenstown Airport

Due to increased aircraft activity at Queenstown Aerodrome over the holiday period, restrictions are being placed on itinerant GA wanting to arrive and/or depart between 0900 and 1800hrs local time.

Dates: 26 December 2024 – 17 January 2025
Hours: 0900 – 1800hrs (local time).
Applicable to: All itinerant GA with a/c with MCTOW 5700kg and below.
Restriction: No arrivals or departure without approval from QAC

Any requests to operate within the restricted timeframe must be made to QAC via [email protected]. We ask that requests are made at least 12 hours prior to the date of travel.

Stay safe and fly smart this holiday season! ✈️

19/12/2024

As we wrap up for the year, we wanted to thank our members for their support and reflect on a successful year for the aviation industry in New Zealand. In 2024 the AIANZ has:

✅ focussed on key policy areas and advocacy for the aviation industry, submitting on various policy consultations, including CAA Pricing Review and FENZ levies
✅ achieved significant savings for members through informed submissions, particularly on FENZ levies
✅ secured 'wins' in District and Regional Plans to protect commercial aviation activities
✅ released a comprehensive workforce report on pilot and engineer shortages
✅ played an integral role in developing a National Policy Statement for aviation
✅ enhanced media presence with nearly 100 mentions in mainstream media
✅ established strong political relationships with key Ministers and Opposition MPs and
✅ hosted a successful annual Conference in Christchurch with over 300 delegates

These efforts have positioned the AIANZ as the leading voice for the commercial aviation industry, building on this momentum in 2025. Read our Year in Review in full here: https://aianz.org.nz/aianz-year-in-review-2024/

18/12/2024

🛫 The Hidden Cost of Becoming a Pilot: Debt Revealed 💳

Shocking data shows pilot graduates are accumulating significantly high student debt compared to medical students. AIANZ CE Simon Wallace breaks down the financial barriers facing aspiring pilots in New Zealand.

With average pilot student debt reaching $100,000, the current student loan system is creating major obstacles for those dreaming of an aviation career. Meanwhile, medical students face no borrowing cap and can cover nearly all their tuition costs. Is this disparity fair?

This is locking out so many aspiring Kiwis from a career as a pilot and without change, we may become an elitist industry. Discover why these costs are threatening the future of our industry. Read the full article here: https://aianz.org.nz/debunking-the-myth-pilot-graduate-debt/

11/12/2024

Important Read - Stay safe this Christmas; NZAAA Chair Bruce Peterson features in Civil Aviation Authority of NZ Vector Online: 🛑The dangers of December 🛑 A lack of care, and distraction, have caused a recent spike in agricultural accidents.

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A lack of care, and distraction, have caused a recent spike in agricultural accidents. There have been 11 agricultural accidents or incidents in New Zealand over the last few months, according to CAA data. While the number of reported incidents has been in line with previous years, six accidents for...

11/12/2024

Important Read - Stay safe this Christmas; NZAAA Chair Bruce Peterson features in Vector Online: 🛑The dangers of December 🛑 A lack of care, and distraction, have caused a recent spike in agricultural accidents.

A lack of care, and distraction, have caused a recent spike in agricultural accidents. There have been 11 agricultural accidents or incidents in New Zealand over the last few months, according to CAA data. While the number of reported incidents has been in line with previous years, six accidents for...

08/12/2024

Important message from the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association

05/12/2024

As part of AIANZ’s ongoing advocacy and engagement with all political parties, Chief Executive Simon Wallace attended a Business NZ/Labour Party Caucus Function on Wednesday night. As well as speaking with leader Rt Hon Chris Hipkins MP, Simon spoke with Transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere, who he updated on some key industry matters.

Having Simon Wallace engaging directly with ministers and political parties creates so much value, fostering meaningful dialogue and ensures that the concerns of our sector are effectively represented in policy discussions.

Thanks to BusinessNZ and Chapman Tripp for co-hosting this excellent event.

02/12/2024

Thank you Pauwels Flying Scholarship for their article which is supportive of the work we’re doing in the Training and Development spaces.

This weeks article hits right at the centre of why John and I created our Scholarships. Today, you will read words from an impassioned author (me). A bit grumpy but hopefully with merit. We’ll be curious to see what your thoughts are on this subject.

25/11/2024

From November 25 you might notice some changes as Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand updates their regulatory software.

The change will allow you to have access to a wider range of process improvements on their website, including:

◾ Enhanced CA005 webform for reporting occurrences > now known as Report an Occurrence. Please remove any previously saved links to outdated forms.

◾New interface available to organisations to automate the sending of occurrence reports by electronic means.

◾Updated Air Operator Operational Specifications with a new fleet-based format for listing aircraft details. (A fleet being any group of aircraft that are common types AND similarly equipped and approved).

A change to how the Mode S Code is generated. When you change the aircraft Mark, you will need to update your Transponder with a new Mode S Code. The Transponder needs to have the correct Mark and Mode S Code.

Going forward invoices will look a little different, with some including a summary page. They have also sent out partial invoices for any active work carried out up to the 22 November.

In addition to the Kapua changes, CAA has also streamlined its Notifications pages, which can be found here: https://aviation.govt.nz/about-us/email-notification-service/.

Signing up for notifications in the General CAA notifications, and CAA Briefing tab for areas of interest, is a quick way to ensure you get notifications about upcoming changes, and documents for consultation such as Advisory Circulars.

Why did CAA implement new software?

The previous regulatory system software, ASMS, was 30 years old and no longer supported necessary updates or customisation. EMPIC, the new software designed specifically for aviation regulation and used by over 40 aviation authorities globally, provides support for a broader range of online processes. It will also help the CAA move toward an intelligence-led, risk-based regulatory approach, improving decision-making through enhanced access to information. CAA plans to add additional services in the future and will keep you updated as new functionalities are rolled out. For more information or for any questions, contact CAA here: https://www.aviation.govt.nz/about-us/contact-us/

Read in full: https://www.aviation.govt.nz/safety/notify-us/improved-reporting/

As well as being a legal requirement, reporting accidents and incidents to the CAA improves aviation safety and helps keep people safe.

20/11/2024

The funding for Wilding Pine control has been significantly reduced in the Government's May budget which has had an impact on many helicopter operators and just as importantly has implications for ‘holding the line’ in terms of the investment made to eradicate Wilding Pines in recent years.
Detailed information of what’s happening in this space can be viewed at https://wildingpinenetwork.org.nz/news/.

The Pine Network is seeking stakeholder feedback through the following survey:
https://scionresearchgroup.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cv7oeXYAcXMQ9ym

Biological invasions cost the global community an estimated USD$423 billion in 2019, and those costs have quadrupled every decade since 1970. The Assessment Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control https://www.ipbes.net/IASmediarelease  is a new... Read more

11/11/2024

The Aviation Industry Association (AIANZ) has recently highlighted critical issues facing New Zealand's aviation sector in an exclusive NZ Herald Premium article featuring Chief Executive, Simon Wallace. This media coverage stems from our proactive efforts to address industry concerns.

AIANZ accuses the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of "secrecy" and being "tone deaf" to industry concerns. AIANZ argues for transparency, citing industry's stake in CAA operations, and advocating for industry involvement in CAA's restructuring process.

This exclusive coverage by Michael Morrah at nzherald.co.nz Premium underscores the vital role that AIANZ plays in representing and advocating for New Zealand's aviation industry. We encourage you to read the full article and watch the accompanying video on NZ Herald Premium for a comprehensive understanding of these critical issues.

Watch here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/aviation-sector-accuses-civil-aviation-authority-of-secrecy-amid-restructure/W7LEY62APBFRZP7JMMXJFJ7A34/

Our ongoing efforts to address these concerns demonstrate AIANZ's commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of New Zealand's aviation sector, which we can only do with the support of our financial members. Stay informed about how we're working to ensure the continued success of our aviation businesses and communities. If you are not already a member, join us here: https://aianz.org.nz/join-us/

The Herald understands 85-110 positions at the CAA could be disestablished.

08/11/2024

Read our latest newsletter, in this edition:

▪️ Media Release - CAA tone-deaf to concerns of aviation industry

▪️ 10 days until the unmissable UAVNZ Conference 2024!
- Keynote Speaker - Colonel Stephen 'Lux' Luxion
- Plenary Panel Session: Positioning New Zealand as a World-Leader for Uncrewed Aviation
- Other key sessions: The Gatwick Incident
- UAVNZ Awards 2024 - Nominations close today!
- UAVNZ AGM & Nominations for Executive Committee

▪️ Safety Management International Collaboration Group (SM ICG)
▪️ AIANZ this week
▪️ Next week: Training & Development Committee Meeting
▪️ Vacancy: Executive Officer, AIANZ
▪️ n3 Member Discount - are you registered?

Read here: https://zcu.nz/d6KG?m=0

28/10/2024

Media release - 29 October 2024

The AIANZ has today released new research showing the high value potential of the international pilot training sector. The research, carried out by Scarlatti not surprisingly found a significant drop off in value after Covid. In 2019 the sector was contributing $86 million in GDP, but this dropped to $30.7 million in 2022. However, New Zealand’s international pilot training industry is highly regard globally and with the right policy settings in place, including faster processing for visas, international students will return.

“Like many others in New Zealand’s international education sector, pilot training is still navigating its way through recovery,” says Simon Wallace, Chief Executive of the AIANZ.

“However, at its pre-COVID peak, this sector was showing high demand from international students looking for high quality pilot training and appeared to be growing. Without the sudden shocks imposed by COVID-19, the value today may have been even larger.”

🔺KEY POINTS🔻

▫ A drastic drop in international student enrollment from 652 in 2019 to only 186 in 2023.
▫ The need for policy changes, including faster visa processing, to attract international students back.
▫ While New Zealand's pilot training industry is globally respected, it requires urgent attention to recover and thrive.

Read our full media release: https://aianz.org.nz/aianz-media-release-international-pilot-training-sector-241029/

Download the complete report:https://aianz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/AIANZ_The-value-of-the-international-pilot-training-market-October-2024-.pdf

For further insights, check out Grant Bradley's article in the nzherald.co.nz Premium: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/stalled-international-pilot-training-costing-new-zealand-50m-a-year/X6LVY3BVOJGDVECUBHDAAVUKK4/

Media Release: The AIANZ has today released new research showing the high value potential of the international pilot training sector.

20/10/2024

The Civil Aviation Authority of NZ have released a new brochure: Flying your drone safely

A drone is an aircraft, so if you fly one, you’re a pilot.

Check out our new brochure for information on:
• general rules for flying drones
• training
• areas where you can and can’t fly drones
• preflight checklist

Find out more on the drones section of the CAA website: https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/

New brochure: Flying your drone safely

A drone is an aircraft, so if you fly one, you’re a pilot.

Check out our new brochure for information on:

• general rules for flying drones
• training
• areas where you can and can’t fly drones
• preflight checklist

Find out more on the drones section of our website: https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/

20/10/2024

“It’s the most detailed work we have ever seen on pilot training issues, and should support a more robust discussion with Government about immigration and funding…. Kudos to the AIANZ, Ringa Hora and Scarlatti for a substantial contribution to the discussion.”

Dave Guerin // ED Insider // 18 October 2024

Learn more about the new interactive Aviation Workforce Insights dashboard. This powerful tool provides a comprehensive view of the supply and demand dynamics within New Zealand’s aviation sector workforce: https://aianz.org.nz/aviation-workforce-insights/

20/10/2024

Nominations for our 2024 UAVNZ Awards are now open. This is a great opportunity to nominate people deserving of recognition for their contributions to UAV operations in New Zealand. Self-nominations are also allowed. See award descriptions and make nominations using the form below.

Use this form to nominate for one of the following UAVNZ Awards. All winners will be decided upon by an awards panel appointed by the UAVNZ Executive Committee.

16/10/2024

Media Release - 17 October 2024

🚨Urgent: NZ aviation faces critical workforce shortages! 🛩️

New research shows we need 100+ pilots annually, but high training costs are locking out aspiring Kiwi aviators. Without policy changes, our aviation industry could become unsustainable.

Simon Wallace was interviewed by Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon on RNZ this morning about these pressing issues.

Read the full report on how pilot and engineer shortages threaten NZ's aviation future:

https://aianz.org.nz/aviation-workforce-insights/

Full media release here: https://aianz.org.nz/aianz-media-release-pilot-engineer-shortage-241017/

Listen here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018960154/calls-for-government-intervention-as-pilot-shortage-looms

The AIANZ is proud to present our interactive Aviation Workforce Insights dashboard. This powerful tool provides a comprehensive view of the supply and demand dynamics within New Zealand's aviation sector workforce.

12/10/2024

Latching on to great safety

Winter 2024 was a busy time for 33-year old West Coaster Brad MacLachlan.

In June, after almost three years of waiting, he received FAA approval for his Hughes 500 door latch STC.

Then in August, he won the Director’s (of Civil Aviation) Commendation, for his “distinguished service and ongoing commitment to safety” to the New Zealand aviation community.

At the Aviation Industry Association awards in Christchurch, Director of Civil Aviation Authority of NZ, Keith Manch said that Brad’s invention showed his dedication to safety went beyond his own organisation.

Read more at Vector Magazine Online here:
https://aviation.govt.nz/safety/education/vector-magazine/vector-online/latching-on-to-great-safety/