Page 7 - MFW June 2024

and officers in an effort to retain as many freedoms as Part A - an online open book test of 20 multichoice
possible for MFNZ members. questions. Each question has a hyperlink to the relevant
section of the Airspace and Rules Syllabus. This is
If you have any doubt about the success of those designed to refresh and extend your knowledge of the
campaigns to date, have a look below at the state of play in Airspace we share with manned aviation and also MFNZ
other Western countries. rules.

In the UK – Once the test had been taken, a pass will be valid for 12
Model fliers have to complete an online CAA test to get a months. If you fail you can re-sit as many times as
registration number that then has to be displayed on every necessary to get a pass. The test would provide
model. There is an annual fee of NZ$21 to remain current. immediate feedback on your results. The pass mark is
They are currently fighting to resist having to install a $600 80%.
ID device to models and have geofencing imposed.
Some of those invited to review the exam thought they
In the USA – could pass the test without referring to the reference
Anything weighing more than 250g must be registered material – few passed! By simply reading the relevant
with the FAA, $5 per aircraft and fliers must be over 13 short section of the reference material the correct answers
years of age. If you are not flying in a FRIA (FAA can quickly be found.
Recognised Identification Area) you must install a Remote
ID (RID) module in each aircraft, which retail for around Parts B & C – This test will be a simple demonstration of
$100USD each. FRIAs are flying areas that are your competency. It will include preparing your aircraft for
sanctioned by the AMA (and are very difficult to get!) flight, performing a take off, executing left and right turns
followed by a landing. The complexity and duration of the
In Japan – test will be at the discretion of the examiner.
Anything weighing more than 100g must be registered
with the Japanese CAA, fees vary but around $12USD If you have either a higher level wings qualification such as
per aircraft. Everything weighing more than 100g must Large or High Speed then the test would need to be
have RID module. Fines are $3000USD and a year in jail. conducted on that type of aircraft.
The nearest flying site to Tokyo is now 2 hours drive and
shared with microlight aircraft. Finally with the oral test the examiner will ask ten
questions from the Club Rules about the flying site they
In Canada – were using. These could cover: local airspace, site
Mandatory qualification (Basic RPAS certification) from boundaries, pit rules, flight line rules, local hazards, noise
Transport Canada and registration for everything above level rules, spectator rules, observer rules, site relations
250g. MAAC has been stripped of approvals for with neighbours and allowable aircraft types.
exemption to the qualification and all other privileges due
to not overseeing flying site registration in accordance Wings Instructor/ Examiner role….
with Transport Canada’s requirements. RID coming soon. Our Wings Instructors will be an essential part of this
program. The task of renewing your clubs’ members
CAA NZ has an official policy of being a “fast follower” of should not be too demanding when considering the
overseas legislation. It is worth remembering the wins that number of wings holders in your club spread over 5 years.
MFNZ have made recently: 2 or 3 tests could easily be conducted in a morning flying
session.
• We can fly within 4km of an airfield (if we follow the
rules) Selecting and training new wings instructors will also be
• No age limits important for clubs. For clubs that have no wings
• No registration or remote ID (yet, but we are armed instructors, now is the time to nominate a respected
for the fight) member of your club for the role. It would also be ok to get
• We can fly at Night an instructor from another club to conduct the testing.
• We can conduct Shielded BVLOS
• We can have models heavier than 25kg
• We can fly above 400ft if we meet the airspace
requirements.
• Our renewal requirement isn’t every year

These benefits are far from common around the world now
and we need to protect them, they were all hard fought for
over many years and we are well legally armed to protect
them in the future.

The Wings Renewal Program…
MFNZ need to have the WRP process documented and in
place by 1 Jan 2025. Wings renewal will then occur in the
following 5 years on a timeline to be confirmed. This will be
a 3 step process;
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