New Zealand – ADS-B rule signed with December 2022 deadline

The Minister of Transport has signed an updated Civil Aviation Rule which will improve aviation safety in New Zealand’s controlled airspace, the Civil Aviation Authority says.

Acting Director of Civil Aviation Shelley Turner said the rule [PDF 354 KB], signed by Minister of Transport Hon Michael Wood on 13 December, requires all aircraft flying in controlled airspace to be equipped with ADS-B OUT by 31 December 2022.

“The signing of this rule and confirmation of the 31 December 2022 implementation date is an important step for modernising New Zealand’s air traffic management system,” Ms Turner said.

The one significant change between the final version of the rule signed by the Minister and the initial proposal is the extension of the implementation date by one year.

“COVID-19 has had significant financial implications for New Zealand’s aviation sector, and we wanted to give operators a reasonable amount of time to be able to equip with ADS-B OUT before it is mandatory in controlled airspace, so the mandate has been extended out to 31 December 2022”, she said.

Aircraft owners who want to operate in controlled airspace now have two years to equip with ADS-B OUT so that they aren’t stuck in the hangar in 2023.

The ADS-B grant scheme to support equipage is one of the most substantial in the world, providing assistance for equipping with ADS-B OUT and ADS-B IN.

Aircraft owners are advised to book an installation slot with an avionics workshop now to avoid delays. For more information on ADS-B and the Grant Scheme, please visit www.nss.govt.nz/ads-b