Ongoing Refresher Requirements

A) If you are flying under Part 101 rules, that is:

• Not operating in the hours of darkness (unless this is being carried out under a shielded operation)
• Not flying over people or property without their permission
• Not applying liquid spray or pellets to pasture
• Not flying a drone with an unladen weight greater than 25 Kgs
• Not flying above 400 ft (120 Metres) above ground level

You are required to have a refresher every two years: You will need to complete the NZ Part 101 Pilot Certificate Refresher Course or the NZ Part 102 Operational Competency Assessment (OCA). The choice depends on which certificate (101 or 102) you hold Both include undergoing a practical assessment by an examiner. 

Note: If you are pilot holding a Part 102 certificate and you are operating under an entities UAOC certificate, then the 2 yearly pilot refresher is not required. Instead, you will be required to undergo an Operational Competency assessment (OCA) under that organisation’s UAOC certification. This is normally carried out annually.

B) If you are flying under Part 102 rules you will need to be registered under an entity’s UAOC.

You are required to have a refresher annually: The holder of the UAOC Certificate for which you are flying under will require you to complete the NZ Part 102 Operational Competency Assessment (OCA). This includes refresher training and undergoing a practical assessment by an examiner.

C) If spraying or dropping pellets, you will also need to hold a chemical certificate and chemical rating

You are required to have a refresher every five years: This process involves gaining a certificate in chemical handling along with undergoing a practical assessment. Following this you will be issued with a Chemical Rating.

D) Maintaining a Night Rating

To maintain currency, a pilot must have carried out three night flights in the last three months. There is no ongoing requirement to undergo re-certification through an instructor.