Part 102 certification for uncrewed aircraft
Drone operators who want to fly an uncrewed aircraft outside of the Civil Aviation Part 101 rules – such as operating unshielded at night, flight over property with prior notification, or with an aircraft that weighs more than 25kg – can legally operate with a Part 102 uncrewed aircraft operator certificate.
Check out the Civil Aviation Authority website to learn about Part 102 certification, and applying for a Part 102 certificate. You will need to provide the CAA with an operating manual showing them how you have identified the hazards and risks of your operation, and the ways you will mitigate those risks.
NOTAM requirements for Part 102 flights
Part 102 certified drone operators need to submit a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to the Airways NOTAM office, for drone flights logged within 4km of unattended aerodromes, or for drone flights above 400ft outside controlled airspace. NOTAMs are notices issued by the NOTAM office to pilots in the New Zealand airspace about any change to airspace, aerodromes or hazards that require immediate notification.
AirShare generates NOTAM proposal emails
For flights logged in AirShare which meet certain criteria, the system will generate a pre-formatted NOTAM proposal email based on the information provided by the drone operator, and in the required format for the NOTAM office. As an operator, you then have the option to authorise the NOTAM proposal and send it to the NOTAM office for issuing. It will then be issued as a NOTAM, subject to any NOTAM notice requirements.
AirShare partnership with UAVNZ
AirShare and the UAVNZ industry group have been in partnership since February 2023 to improve the AirShare system in line with industry requirements.
UAVNZ provides an official feedback channel to AirShare, and the AirShare team regularly update the platform based on this feedback.
UAVNZ works collaboratively within the New Zealand aviation industry, and alongside their vast membership of uncrewed aircraft operators to ensure the safe development and professionalism of the uncrewed aerospace sector.