Airspace

Question 1

Classes of airspace

Answer 1

Controlled = A, B, C, D, E
Uncontrolled = F, G.

Question 2

Class A

Answer 2

Clearance required 24/7.
All flights are separated.
No VFR flights allowed.
Class A and B currently only apply to international airspace.

Question 3

Class C

Answer 3

Clearance required 24/7.
VFR/IFR seperation.
IFR/SVFR separation (no SVFR permitted at night).
SVFR SVFR separation when visibility less than 5km.
no VFR/VFR seperation.
VFR flights provided with traffic information about other VFR flights and traffic avoidance is provided on pilot request.

Question 4

Class D

Answer 4

24/7 clearance required.
No VFR/IFR separation.
SVFR/IFR separation.
SVFR/SVFR separation when visibility less than 5km.
IFR flights are provided with traffic information about VFR flights.
VFR flights are provided with traffic information about IFR flights.
IFR and VFR flights are provided with traffic avoidance advice on pilots request.

Question 5

Class G

Answer 5

No clearance required.
No VFR/IFR seperation.
No VFR/VFR seperation.
IFR flights receive traffic information about other IFR flights and VFR flights may receive traffic information about IFR and VFR traffic on pilot request.

Question 6

Speed restrictions

Answer 6

In Class C, D, and G airspace, speed is restricted to 250 kts IAS bellow 10,000 ft unless:
Flight manual stipulates minimum safe speed higher than 250 kts, or aircraft is being operated at an approved aviation event. Restrictions cannot be cancelled by ATC

Question 7

Domestic interim summary

Answer 7

Clearance is required prior to flying VFR in all controlled airspace except VFR transit lanes and General aviation areas.
In all classes, no VFR/VFR separation.
In class C, VFR and SVFR separated from IFR, only SVFR/IFR in class D.
In class C and D, SVFR/SVFR separation when visibility less than 5km.
Where no separation provided in classes C or D, traffic information passed to IFR flights, and VFR as applicable.

Question 8

Types of airspace

Answer 8

Flight information regions (FIRs).
Control zones (CTRs).
Control areas (CTAs).
VFR transit lanes.
General aviation areas (GAAs).

Question 9

Flight information regions

Answer 9

Airspace of defined dimensions within which a Flight Information and Alerting service is provided. It extends from ground or sea level to an unlimited upper level, encompassing all other types of airspace.

Whole world divided into FIR. New Zealand in Auckland Oceanic FIR. Within Auckland Oceanic FIR is New Zealand Domestic FIR served by Christchurch Flight Information Centre.

Question 10

Control Zone (CTR) and Control Area (CTA) VPC and VNC boundary colour

Answer 10

CTR depicted by blue boundaries.
CTA depicted by purple boundaries.

Question 11

Control Zone

Answer 11

Controlled airspace surrounding one or more aerodromes extending upwards from surface of earth to specified upper limit. Designed to encompass area that contains greatest traffic density around controlled aerodromes.

CTRs can be class C or D. They are all transponder mandatory. CTRs can be any shape.

Question 12

Control Areas

Answer 12

Controlled airspace that extends from defined lower limit to defined upper limit. Lower limit usually 500ft bellow lowest permissible flightpath of IFR traffic. Must never be lower than 700 ft all/amsl. Class C or D.

Question 13

Terminal control area

Answer 13

Some major airports have CTA with lower limit than decreases the closer to airport - referred to as terminal control area.

Question 14

VFR transit lanes

Answer 14

Areas of uncontrolled airspace established in controlled airspace in order to restrict VFR aircraft as little as possible. Only active during daylight hours. VFR do not need clearance. Shown on VNC by solid blue lines. Ident by letter T followed by 3 digit figure (Txxx). Continue to be part of CTA or CTR, but released as Class G airspace.

Question 15

GAA General aviation areas

Answer 15

Designated NZgxxx.
Only available during daylight hours - released as class G airspace.
No requirement to adhere to magnetic track/altitude.
Must maintain watch on appropriate FQ, and use transponder.
Thick blue lines. Gxxx

Question 16

Three types of GAA

Answer 16

Permanently active GAA - VFR aircraft may use GAA without reference to ATC.
Active when approved by ATC - VFR pilots must obtain ATC approval for the activation of GAA.
Active when notified to ATC - VFR pilots must notify ATC prior to entry that they will operate in GAA and advise exit.

Question 17

Flying at boundary between 2 airspaces

Answer 17

Comply with rules applicable to the less restrictive airspace.

Question 18

Special use airspace

Answer 18

Danger areas, Restricted areas, Military operating areas, Volcanic hazard zones, Mandatory broadcast zones, Low flying zones, Common frequency zones

Question 19

Danger areas

Answer 19

Ground/sea level to specified upper limit.
Either permanently active or by NOTAM.
If by NOTAM, 24 hours notice given to NOTAM office except in cases of emergency.
On VNC shown in red by letter D and upper and lower limits. Dxxx

Question 20

Restricted areas

Answer 20

NZR followed by 3 digit code.
Box includes Rxxx, lower and upper limits, and time. H24 means permanent, NOTAM means activated by NOTAM.
Need prior authorisation from administering body for flight

Question 21

Military operating area

Answer 21

NZM followed by 3 digit code. Mxxx.
Requires clearance from controlling authority

Question 22

Volcanic hazard zone

Answer 22

Established around volcanoes. Flight permitted only by day and VMC.
NZV followed by 3 digit number. Vxxx.

Question 23

MBZ

Answer 23

Designated Bxxx.
On VNC blue dotted line.
Part may be TM, even though uncontrolled.

Question 24

When to make MBZ broadcasts

Answer 24

At entry - aircraft callsign, position, altitude, intentions.
When joining circuit - callsign, position, altitude, intentions.
Before entering runway for takeoff - callsign, runway to be used, intentions,
At any other time - at least at intervals described for MBZ.

Question 25

MBZ lights and nordo

Answer 25

Must use anti collision and landing lights if so equiped.
Nordo can only enter for purpose of repairs to radio provided landing/anticollision lights, and if practicable, someone else is making radio broadcasts for them.

Question 26

Low flying zone

Answer 26

Lxxx. Thin blue lines on VNC.
Surface to 500ft, active only during daylight hours.
Restricted to pilots receiving dual instruction, hold an instructor rating, have been authorised briefed on boundaries on the method of entry and exit by flight instructor.
LFZ flight visibility no less than 1500m. No passengers

Question 27

CFZ common frequency zone

Answer 27

VNC blue diamond shapes. Transmit position and intention on published fq at regular intervals and switch aircraft lights on. Broadcast is not mandatory.