A message from The Civil Aviation Authority
HAWKES BAY MICROLIGHT CLUB INC
OPERATIONS AND SAFETY GUIDE
First published: February 2016
Last updated: May 2016
A printable PDF version can be downloaded: HBMC Ops and Safety Guide
CONTENTS:
DEFINITIONS
A. OPERATIONS
1. General
2. Cross Country flights
3. Flight At Minimum Heights
4. Exemptions To The CAA Rules
5. Student/Pilot/Instructor requirements
6. Pilot Log Books
7. Medical Requirements
B. SAFETY
1. Aircraft Accident
2. Aircraft Incident
3. Records and Components
4. Aircraft Defect
5. Hazard
6. Risk
7. Accident Prevention
8. Reporting Procedure
APPENDICES
1. CAA Form CA 005
2. RAANZ Microlight Incident Report
3. RAANZ Microlight Defect Report
4. HBMC Hazard Report
5. Club Organisation Chart
All the appendices are downloadable. Please follow the links.
DEFINITIONS
A Microlight Aircraft is a one- or two-seat aircraft with a stall speed, in the landing configuration and at maximum all up weight, which does not exceed 45 knots and with a maximum gross weight of:
(a) For a two-seat landplane 600 kg
(b) For a two-seat amphibian or seaplane 650 kg
(c) For a single-seat landplane 510 kg
(d) For a single-seat amphibian or seaplane 550 kg
Note: A Light Sport Aircraft can be flown by an appropriately certificated and rated microlight pilot adhering to Part 103 rules or can be registered and operated as a microlight.
Cross Country Flight – any flight that is greater than 25 nm from the take-off point.
Accident – an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which results in fatal or serious injury to a person or in substantial damage to the aircraft, i.e. damage which grounds the aircraft.
Incident – an occurrence other than an accident associated with the operation of an aircraft which affects or could affect the safety of the operation.
Defect – a failure or malfunction of an aircraft component whether found in flight or on the ground.
Hazard – any policy, procedure or condition which has the potential to cause an accident.
Risk – the consequences of accepting a hazard.
Accident Prevention – the detection and elimination or avoidance of hazards.
A. OPERATIONS
1. General
1.1. It is the responsibility of the pilot in command to comply with CAA Rules (CAR) Part 91 – General Operating and Flight Rules and Part 103 Microlight Aircraft – Operating Rules.
1.2 No Microlight Aircraft shall be operated within controlled airspace or within 3 nautical miles of a controlled aerodrome unless the pilot:
(a) has gained a pass in the Air Law examination required by CAR Part 61 Pilot Licences and Ratings 61.153(a)(6)(i) or an equivalent examination or
(b) is under the direct supervision of an instructor who meets the qualifications in (a) and
(c) is authorised by the appropriate Air Traffic Control (ATC) unit and in accordance with such conditions as may be specified.
1.3 No Microlight Aircraft shall be operated when the surface wind speed is in excess of 75 percent of the Aircraft’s stall speed.
1.4 Microlight Aircraft shall only operate by day and in VFR conditions equal to or better than those prescribed in CAR 91.301 – Refer to CAR Part 103.155.
1.5 No Microlight Aircraft shall operate over any congested area of a city, town or settlement.
1.6 Any accident, as defined in definitions and involving a Microlight Aircraft shall be reported in the first instance to the controller of safety investigation, freephone 0508 222 433 (0508ACCIDENT), which is monitored 24 hours. Further information on Microlight accidents is contained in section B. Safety 1. of this guide.
2. Cross Country Flights
2.1 Every cross country flight in a Microlight Aircraft conducted by the holder of a Novice Pilot Certificate or equivalent shall be authorised by an instructor.
2.2 Prior to undertaking a cross country flight or any flight during which it is proposed to proceed beyond gliding distance of land in a Microlight Aircraft, the pilot shall file a flight plan with Airways NZ or advise a responsible person of their intentions. The pilot shall also specify any action that shall be taken by the responsible person if they do not receive notification of the safe termination of the flight.
2.3 Appropriate Visual Navigation Charts (VNCs) and NZAIP Vol. 4 shall be carried on all cross country flights in Microlight Aircraft.
2.4 When it is intended to proceed beyond gliding distance of land in a Microlight Aircraft, a life jacket shall be worn by each person on board.
2.5 A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) must be carried in a Microlight Aircraft at all times when beyond 10 nautical miles from the take-off point.
3. Flight At Minimum Heights
3.1 For instructional purposes, a Microlight Instructor is authorised to carry out flight training down to 200 ft AGL in a designated Low Flying Zone (LFZ) as long as permission has been granted from the authorised operator in charge of the LFZ.
3.2 For instructional purposes, an instructor is authorised to carry out Gyroplane circuit training at 200 ft AGL. Refer to CAR Part 103.153(1).
3.3 For other purposes requiring bona fide Microlight Aircraft operations at minimum heights, the pilot will be required to obtain a briefing from an instructor or ATO before the flight. Refer to CAR Part 103.153(2).
4. Exemptions To The CAA Rules
4.1 The requirements regarding the carriage of an aircraft flight manual shall not apply to a person operating a Microlight Aircraft. Refer to CAR 91.109. However if the manufacturer provides a manual/document with the aircraft then this should be carried on board and available during flight. Refer to CAA Advisory Circular (AC) AC103-1 Microlight Aircraft – Operating Rules.
4.2 There is no requirement for a Microlight Aircraft to carry a Certificate of Airworthiness. Refer to CAR Part 103.105.
4.3 No person shall operate a Class 2 Microlight Aircraft or Class 1 Microlight Helicopter unless the Flight Permit required by CAR Part 103.203(b) is carried in the aircraft.
4.4 The fuel reserve requirements of CAR 91.305 shall not apply to the pilot of a Microlight Aircraft. However with microlight aircraft capable of cross country flights with a significant endurance, it is recommended that the operator complies with CAR 91.305(a). Refer CAA AC103-1.
4.5 There is no requirement to comply with CAR Part 148 Aircraft Manufacturing Organisation – Certification for construction of Microlight Aircraft. Refer to CAR Part 103.219.
5. Student/Pilot/Instructor Requirements
5.1 No person may act as Pilot in Command of a Microlight Aircraft unless that person:
(a) has attained the age of 16 years
(b) is the holder of an appropriate current Microlight Pilot Certificate, other than a Novice Certificate, granted or renewed by the holder of a valid delegation from the Director for that purpose
or
(c) is a Novice Pilot operating under the direct supervision of a holder of a Microlight Instructor Certificate granted or renewed by the holder of a valid delegation from the Director for that purpose
or
(d) is a Novice Pilot operating under the direct supervision of a holder of A, B or C Category Instructor rating issued by CAA and holding a Microlight Instructor Certificate
or
(e) is the holder of a CAA Pilot Licence and has demonstrated competence in the piloting of a Microlight Aircraft to a Microlight Instructor and
(f) holds a completed and current Medical Certificate granted or renewed by the holder of a valid delegation from the Director for that purpose or a current CAR Part 67 Medical Standards and Certification, Medical Certificate and
(g) has an appropriate type rating on the Microlight Aircraft.
5.2 No person will give ground or flight instruction in a Microlight Aircraft unless that person:
(a) is the holder of an appropriate current Microlight Instructor Certificate or
(b) is the holder of a valid Flight Instructor Rating issued by CAA and has complied with the requirements of CAR Part 103.5 (a)(2).
5.3 No person shall operate a Microlight Aircraft for Hire or Reward unless that person is the holder of a valid Commercial Microlight Licence issued under CAR Part 61.
6. Pilot Log Books
6.1 All Microlight Aircraft pilots must maintain a Pilot Log Book record as evidence of their flight experience. This must include any training, ratings and endorsements and must be kept current. The Pilot Log Book is proof of flying experience and is required before a Microlight Pilot Certificate can be issued. The Pilot Log Book will also prove flight experience to gain a higher Microlight Pilot Certificate or for issue of a CAA licence. Flight time is from when the aircraft first moves until it finally stops.
6.2 Pilots are responsible for ensuring that legible log book entries, in ink, be made within 24 hours of each flight. Incorrect entries must not be erased but can be amended.
6.3 A Microlight Pilot must be able to produce their Pilot Log Book when requested by any authorised person.
7. Medical Requirements
7.1 A person holding a Microlight Pilot Certificate shall not exercise the privileges of that certificate and a person acting as pilot in command under a Novice Certificate shall not fly solo unless:
(a) that person holds a current microlight Medical Certificate and is complying with all conditions on that certificate or
(b) that person holds a current CAA Class 2 or higher Medical Certificate and is complying with all conditions on that certificate.
Note: Should any person holding a current Medical Certificate suffer any medical condition causing impairment or incapacitation then that person must not fly until they are assessed fit again by a CAA Designated Medical Examiner or General Practitioner as required by their certificate.
B. SAFETY
1. Aircraft Accident
1.1 The Civil Aviation Act 1990 Part 26 and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) Act 1990 requires notification and reporting of all Aircraft accidents.
1.2 The Pilot In Command (PIC) of an aircraft involved in an accident must notify the CAA as soon as practicable, or if the PIC is unable to notify the CAA the Aircraft Operator or Owner must, by reporting in the first instance to the controller of safety investigation, freephone 0508 222 433 (0508 ACCIDENT), which is monitored 24 hours. This must be followed within 10 days of the accident by a written report on Form CA005 – see Appendix 1.
Note: A report can also be filed online at www.caa.govt.nz/report. You will receive an email repeating your entries so you can check your entries for correctness and no additional paperwork is required. Remember that you must still notify an accident or serious incident as soon as practicable using 0508 ACCIDENT (0508 222 433) as above.
1.3 An aircraft involved in an accident may not be moved or interfered with unless permission from the Controller of Safety Investigation is given except that wreckage may be disturbed to rescue occupants or to clear a runway or traffic thoroughfare or to preserve the aircraft from further damage by tide, flood, fire, etc.
2. Aircraft Incident
2.1 A person involved in a serious incident or an immediate hazard to the safety of an aircraft operation must notify CAA as soon as practicable.
2.2 The notification of a serious incident must be made in accordance with CAR Part 12 Accidents Incidents and Statistics, Appendix A on form CA005 – see appendix 1, or for an incident using RAANZ Microlight Incident Report – see Appendix 2
2.3 A person required to provide details of an incident to CAA or RAANZ must do so within 14 days of the incident.
3. Records and components
3.1 Any owner or operator of an aircraft that is involved in an accident or incident must preserve all logbooks and retain any defective component/s for a period of at least 14 days after submitting a report unless otherwise permitted by CAA or RAANZ.
4. Aircraft Defect
4.1 The pilot or owner of an aircraft noting a defect must report the defect as soon as practicable using RAANZ Microlight Defect Report – see Appendix 3.
5. Hazard
5.1 Any person recognising a hazard must notify the hazard to the club Safety Officer as soon as practicable.
5.2 The notification of a hazard must be followed as soon as practicable by completion of a Hazard Form – see Appendix 4.
6. Risk
6.1 Risks are not acceptable.
6.2 Reporting hazards and ensuring that they are eliminated will avoid accidents and incidents.
7. Accident Prevention
7.1 All accidents can be prevented. Following the rules and using established procedures will prevent accidents.
7.2 The Club Safety Policy can be summarised in one sentence: “Safety is an attitude. If it cannot be done safely, we do not want you to do it”.
8. Reporting Procedure
8.1 All accidents, incidents, defects and hazards need to be reported as per 1. 2. 4. and 5. above.
8.2 Club rules and by-laws must be adhered to by all club members.
8.3 The club Safety Officer must be advised of all reports as soon as practicable.
8.4 Lines of responsibility are shown on the Club Organisation Chart – see Appendix 5.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE – ASK A COMMITTEE MEMBER. WE WANT TO HELP.
APPENDICES (all report forms are downloadable by clicking on the item)
1. CAA Form CA 005
2. RAANZ Microlight Incident Report
3. RAANZ Microlight Defect Report
4. HBMC Hazard Report
5. Club Organisational Chart