From the New Zealand CAA website,
Certificates of Validation are only available at PPL level in special circumstances. Visiting
pilots intending to engage in private recreational flying activities within NZ are required to
complete the appropriate requirements and apply for the issue of a NZ PPL. The prerequisites
for PPL issue may be undertaken at most NZ flight training organisations. The
locations for some of these may be found on the CAA web site, “Pilots – Getting a licence –
Flight training schools”. There are full details relating to PPL issue later in this document.
Here are the requirements for the issue of NZ PPL's, once again from the CAA website,
Private Pilot Licence issue
Applicants seeking the issue of a New Zealand PPL using a current unrestricted equivalent or
higher licence issued by the authority of an ICAO member state as a basis for recognition,
should approach a NZ flight training organisation, and:
1. Produce their current overseas pilot licence, current medical certificate (where appropriate) and
pilot log book to the Chief Flying Instructor for assessment,
2. Provided that all the minimum flight experience requirements for the issue of a NZ PPL as
prescribed in Advisory Circular 61 (AC 61) are met, then;
• Successfully complete a NZ Biennial Flight Review (BFR) to PPL standard with a
current NZ Category A or B flight instructor, and then;
• Apply to CAA for the issue of a PPL by submitting all of the following;
(a) A completed application form CAA 24061/01 together with the licence issue fee of
NZ$55.00 (both sides of form must be completed).
(b) Written certification from either a Category A or B flight instructor stating that a PPL
BFR has been successfully completed.
(c) A photocopy of the applicant’s current overseas licence and medical certificate.
(d) A completed medical consent/declaration form CAA 24067/106.
(e) A copy of the applicant’s flight experience assessment.
Notes for instructors and applicants
1. The successful completion of a NZ BFR to PPL standard fulfils all the examination and
flight test requirements applicable for the issue of a NZ PPL to overseas licence holders. In
order to familiarise each applicant; part of the BFR must include a comprehensive briefing
on aspects of flight operations in NZ. Topics to be covered include; aircraft documents,
Revision 6 Nov 05
6
weight and balance, visual flight rules, flight planning, categories of controlled airspace,
weather interpretation and minimums, altimeter setting procedures, magnetic track
requirements, use of transponder, detailed use of the AIP New Zealand, and AIP Vol 4.
2. The term ‘current’ means that at the time of presentation for recognition purposes, the
holder of the overseas licence must meet all requirements laid down for the use of that
document in the country of issue. In simple terms, this means that the licence holder must
have completed a Biennial Flight Review (BFR) or equivalent in the country of issue and also
hold current medical certification of the appropriate level, issued in that country.
3. Applicants who do not meet the NZ PPL dual instrument instruction and/or cross-country
minimum flight times must have their logbooks endorsed to the effect that PPL privileges
may not be exercised either at night or on cross country flights as appropriate. Applicants
should be told of any such restrictions following the log book assessment.
4. Persons who cannot produce a current overseas licence, current overseas medical
certification, and their pilot log book, are not eligible for issue of a NZ PPL under the above
provisions.
5. Pilots who successfully complete the process may fly in NZ using their current overseas
medical certification. This medical is recognised in order to get pilots into the NZ system in
expeditious fashion. However, the overseas medical may only be used until the expiry date
shown on that medical certificate at the time of entry into the NZ system. After this date, a
NZ Class 2 medical certificate is required.
The New Zealand BFR is not a tough test, just runs you through the basics, will probably need a couple of hours flying and ground school. The CAA head office is in Wellington so I would suggest that you do the conversion there, that means that your can take the paper work in yourself and get the licences issued on the spot. Otherwise you will have to wait for it to go through the postal system which could waste valuable time. You could then go to Christchurch to start the flying trip, well worth going to Queenstown and then hiring an instructor to take you both into Milford Sound, a flight of a life time. Have fun.