New Zealand Helicopter Association

08/07/2026

🚨 EASA AD 2026-0128 – Safran Arrius 1A Engines 🚨

Effective 9 July 2026, EASA has issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive requiring the replacement of certain Hydromechanical Metering Units (HMUs) fitted to Safran Arrius 1A engines.

A manufacturing issue involving a torn diaphragm was identified during testing, which could potentially lead to an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown and reduced helicopter control.

✅ Action Required: Replace affected HMUs in accordance with Safran MSB 319 73 0821 Version A. Installation of affected HMUs is prohibited.

Operators and maintenance organisations should review the AD and MSB to ensure compliance and continued safe operations.

https://www.aviation.govt.nz/aircraft/airworthiness-directives/emergency-airworthiness-directives/

To achieve that, the Director issues an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) notified directly to the registered operators of affected aircraft. Emergency ADs can be issued at any time, and are issued where compliance is required before further flight, or is less than 50 hours TIS, or 28 calendar....

24/06/2026

Support the Humanitarian Aid Disaster Relief Medal. Many helicopter pilots and their teams selflessly respond in times of emergency and directly assist or deliver the first responders to create a disproportionate effect.

Authorised Tim Costley Parliament Buildings Wellington

24/06/2026

Read today's Fly Safe Message:https://www.agaviation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-22-FlySafe.pdf

30/05/2026

Remove distractions (phones) and follow the checklist.

The pilot involved in a fatal maintenance ground run abbreviated the operator’s checklist, missing crucial steps that led the aircraft to perform a “rapid rotation” striking two maintenance engineers, according to an accident investigation from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
🔗: https://ow.ly/3hJe50Z5GSB

20/05/2026

23/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AfAb4FUDT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔸 New Rules come into effect today! 🔸

The new Part 101, 102, and 107 rules come into effect today, 22 December 2025.

One of the major changes is the introduction of the new Civil Aviation Transport Instrument CATI 101-1. The Transport Instrument sits “under” the Part 101 rule and specifies how to comply with some of those rules.

A good example of this is the rule 101.211 which states that a person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft at night unless under the circumstances specified in a transport instrument. CATI 101-1 then spells out what those circumstances are.

The reason for this change is that it allows the CAA to update the rules more efficiently. Rule changes must be signed by the Minister, but a Transport Instrument can be signed by the Director of Civil Aviation.

The new rules can be downloaded from the Pending Rules page on the CAA website, but we have summarised the changes for you here.

🔸 Key changes in Part 101 are:
1. Shielded operations can take place up to 33ft above the shield (other than at night).
2. A person operating an unmanned aircraft must not carry out aerial spraying, aerial topdressing or application of aerial vertebrate toxic agent. If you are applying agrichemicals you will have to have a Part 102 certificate even if the gross mass of your drone is less than 25kg.
3. Unshielded night operations can be conducted by Part 101 operators if they have completed a night rating course and have either flown at night within the last 90 days or have conducted a 30 minute shielded refamiliarisation flight at night.

A comparison table of changes to Part 101 is provided below.

🔸 Part 102 now clarifies that “the holder of an unmanned aircraft operator certificate who exercises a privilege which applies to both Civil Aviation Rule Parts 101 and 102 is deemed to have exercised the privilege under the authority of the certificate under Part 102.” An organisation cannot decide to ignore the provisions in its Part 102 exposition (such as reporting) just because it was possible to conduct a particular operation under Part 101.

🔸 Part 107 is a new rule for certification of Research and Development Organisations. This rule applies to both manned and unmanned aviation.

12/12/2025

A good vector article on VRS following on from a TAIC investigation. The NZHA and Aviation Industry Association was proud to bring Claude Vuichard from the Vuichard Recovery Aviation Safety Foundation to NZ with support from our sponsors and friends Gallagher (Insurance), Eye In The Sky NZ, Bell Flight, Suncourt Hotel Taupo, Wanaka Helicopters NZ and Bill Day to upskill pilots in helicopter flying techniques. It wasn’t just about VRS - autorotations, sloping ground, dynamic rollover, mountain flying and quick stops. Some new but simple techniques introduced and safety enhanced.

https://www.aviation.govt.nz/safety/safety-education-and-advice/education/vector-magazine/vector-online/knowing-the-hallmarks-of-vortex-ring-state/gt

This is the first in a new series called Vector Technical, which you'll be able to access in the category filter of the Vector Online landing page. A TAIC report1 into a 2023 vortex ring state accident said it was critical that helicopter pilots know the warning signs of VRS – the suddenly unstabl...