News
For all the latest and past news releases relating to the New Southern Sky programme scroll down.
New Southern Sky programme coming to a close
26 Jul 2023The New Southern Sky programme has successfully delivered the bulk of the National Airspace and Air Navigation Plan (2014) and, in doing so, modernised the New Zealand aviation system. The programme will therefore close formally on 31 Decem…
Link to Item PageThe ADS-B Grant Scheme Ends This Week
27 Jun 2023With less than a week remaining before the ADS-B Grant Scheme comes to an end, these are the final days for eligible applicants to submit a claim before the 30th of June 2023 deadline. Time is quickly running out, so complete your claims no…
Link to Item PageNSS Working Group 45 Key Messages
26 Jun 2023The 45th New Southern Sky Working Group meeting was held at the Willeston Conference Centre, and online, on 14 June 2023.
The Key Messages from the meeting can be found here.
Less Than Four Weeks Until the Scheme Ends
7 Jun 2023After more than three years and over $6M distributed, the ADS-B Grant Scheme is now entering its final days. There is less than four weeks left until the ADS-B Grant Scheme ends on the 30th of June 2023. Time is rapidly running out, so appl…
Link to Item PageLess than Two Months to Claim an ADS-B Grant
12 May 2023After more than three years and over $6M distributed, the ADS-B Grant Scheme is now entering its final days. There is less than two months left until the ADS-B Grant Scheme ends on the 30th of June 2023. Time is rapidly running out, so appl…
Link to Item PageJust Under Three Months Until the ADS-B Grant Scheme Ends
18 Apr 2023There is just under three months until the ADS-B Grant Scheme finishes on the 30th of June 2023. The time remaining to apply is rapidly dwindling, so better sooner rather than later. To be eligible for a grant you need to complete your ADS-…
Link to Item PageLast Call for ADS-B Grant Scheme
3 Mar 2023The ADS-B Grant Scheme is still running in 2023, although it wraps up on the 30th of June. There is still plenty of time to apply, but you will need to complete the installation, be detected transmitting acceptable ADS-B data by Airways and…
Link to Item PageNSS Working Group 44 Key Messages
25 Nov 2022
Key Aviation stakeholders were in attendance for the 44th New Southern Sky Working Group meeting, held at the Willeston Conference Centre on 25 November 2022.
The Key Messages can be found here.
News from the SouthPAN programme
23 Sep 2022NSS Working Group member Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has announced a joint Trans-Tasman partnership with Geoscience Australia which will provide Australasia with world-leading satellite positioning services that are up to 50 times m…
Link to Item PageNSS Working Group 43 Key Messages
29 Aug 2022Key Aviation stakeholders were in attendance for the 43rd New Southern Sky Working Group meeting, held at the Willeston Conference Centre on 22 July 2022.
The Key Messages can be found here.
NTC91.258 Revision 3 released
26 Aug 2022On 16 August 2022 the CAA released Revision 3 of NTC91.258 - ADS-B Systems Notice of Requirement.
The primary purpose of the latest revision is to allow glider maintenance engineers (authorised under Part 149 by a gliding organisation) to…
ADS-B Installation and Grant Scheme Update
19 May 2022ADS-B installations on NZ registered aircraft hit the 2000 mark at the end of April 2022, with 2039 aircraft in total now equipped. That’s approximately 41% of the 4966 aircraft on the Civil Aircraft Register.
With the ADS-B mandate of 31 …
Acknowledging contributors to the foundation of the New Southern Sky Programme
17 May 2022Last May, the New Southern Sky (NSS) programme published a report, the ‘NSS Benefits Assessment’, authored by Mahino, which reviewed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the delivery of NSS benefits.
For many of us, the NSS story began w…
Safety First – recognising James Black’s ongoing commitment to aviation safety
8 Mar 2022Copied, with permission, from Airways 'Value Awards 2021' Announcement
Safety is our number one priority at Airways and everyone has a role to play in creating a safe environment for our people, customers and the community.
The Safety Fi…
NSS - Collaborating to reduce Emissions from Aviation report released
9 Dec 2021New Southern Sky is pleased to announce the release of the ‘NSS - Collaborating to Reduce Emissions from Aviation’ report.
With the ever increasing need to reduce emissions, the report identifies enhancements to the current aviation syste…
Performance Based Navigation Rules and Advisory Circular released
1 Dec 2021
Performance Based Navigation Rules and Advisory Circular released
New Southern Sky is excited to announce that, after many years of hard work and collaboration with industry, the CAA has released the rules and associated Advisory Circular …
AC3-19 for ADS-B installations in Gliders released
8 Oct 2021After many months of hard work, we are pleased to announce that the CAA has now approved AC3-19 for the installation of specific ADS-B equipment into Gliders. This AC provides the necessary Acceptable Technical Data (ATD) required for Stand…
Link to Item PageADS-B Grant Scheme criteria updated
3 Aug 2021ADS-B Grant Scheme eligibility criteria updated
Minor amendments and clarifications have been made to the ADS-B Grant Scheme eligibility criteria.
To view these changes, see here.
As of 3 August 2021, over 1430 applications and 1090 cl…
NSS System Assessment and Benefits Evaluation Reports
26 Jul 2021NSS System Assessment and Benefits Evaluation Reports
A project was undertaken prior to the stand-down of the New Southern Sky team on 30 June, to test the planned 2023 aviation system.
The purpose of this project was to understand if t…
NSS Working Group 41 Key Messages
14 Jul 2021NSS Working Group 41 Key Messages
Key Aviation stakeholders were in attendance for the 41st New Southern Sky Working Group meeting, held at the CAA in Wellington on 11 June. The 41st meeting was the final meeting with the full NSS Progr…
EASA Space Weather Bulletins
3 May 2021
The European Aviation Safety Authority EASA has issued two very interesting Safety Information Bulletins on the effects of Space Weather on Aviation. Please see the EASA Website or view the bulletins below:
EASA-SIB-2012-10R1-1.pdf…
NSS Working Group 40 Key Messages
30 Apr 2021
Aviation stakeholders once again came together for the bi-monthly New Southern Sky Working Group meeting held at the CAA in Wellington on 16 April 2021.
Key discussions included;
NSS Transision Plan
UAV / Drone Integration
Environment…
NSS 2023 - What We Delivered and What We Learned
1 Apr 2021The NSS Team travelled the length of New Zealand in March to deliver New Southern Sky 2023 presentations.
To view the presentation, please click here
The key messages from the visits are as follows:
The aviation community is realising t…
ADS-B Already Improving Aviation Safety in New Zealand
15 Feb 2021
The transition to ADS-B as New Zealand’s primary aviation surveillance system is well under way with new installations occurring month-on-month. The proportion of registered aircraft in New Zealand equipped with ADS-B continues to rise, an…
Link to Item PageNSS Working Group 39 Key Messages
12 Feb 2021
Aviation stakeholders once again came together for the bi-monthly New Southern Sky Working Group meeting held at the CAA in Wellington on 01 February 2021.
Key discussions included;
NSS 2023 NZ Tour
Performance Based Navigation Regulat…
ADS-B rule signed with December 2022 deadline
21 Dec 2020The Minister of Transport has signed an updated Civil Aviation Rule which will improve aviation safety in New Zealand’s controlled airspace.
Acting Director of Civil Aviation Shelley Turner said the rule, signed by Minister of Transport Ho…
Otago Weather Radar now Live
16 Dec 2020
The new MetService Otago real-time weather radar became operational on 11 Dec 2020.
As an important stakeholder the New Southern Skys programme we are delighted for MetService to have reached this milestone.
The $3m radar is the tenth i…
ADS-B Notice of Requirement revision 2 and Draft AC91-24 revision 1 released
17 Nov 2020The NSS team is pleased to announce that the highly anticipated revision to Notice of Requirement NTC91.258 regarding ADS-B has now been released by the CAA.
The revision contains several updates and clarifications. The three main changes …
NSS Working Group Key Messages - 12 October 2020
21 Oct 2020
Aviation stakeholders once again came together for the bi-monthly New Southern Sky Working Group meeting held at the CAA in Wellington on 12 October 2020.
Key discussions included;
ADS-B Uptake and Grant Scheme
SBAS - Southern Position…
ADS-B Grant Scheme payments hit $1m
3 Sep 2020 The NSS team is delighted to announce that the ADS-B Grant Scheme has now approved over $1m worth of claims, providing Covid-19 affected operators with some welcome financial relief.
Over 720 applications have been received to enter the s…
NSS Working Group Key Messages 14 August 2020
25 Aug 2020
Aviation stakeholders once again came together for the bi-monthly New Southern Sky Working Group meeting held via Skype on 14 August 2020.
Key discussions included;
ADS-B Grant Scheme
SBAS - Southern Positioning Augmentation Network
…
NSS AIMS CONOPS Released
30 Jun 2020Powered by the dedication of industry, the NSS Programme recently completed its project to produce an Aeronautical Information management Systems (AIMS) Concept of Operations document (CONOPS). As directed by the National Airspace and Air N…
Link to Item PageNSS Working Group Key Messages 15 June 2020
23 Jun 2020
Aviation stakeholders once again came together for the bi-monthly New Southern Sky Working Group meeting held via Skype on 15 June 2020.
Key discussions included the ADS-B Grant Scheme, updates from Airways, MetService, SBAS Southern Pos…
Important ADS-B Grant Scheme Guidance
15 Jun 2020The ADS-B Grant Scheme has hit the ground running, receiving almost 500 applications already and will have released over $312,000 in claims by the end of June. ADS-B equipage has now reached 814, with 68 new aircraft detected in the month …
Link to Item PageADS-B Notice of Requirement Revision Released by CAA for Consultation
15 Jun 2020The Revised Notice of Requirement (NTC91.258) is now open for public consultation. Please take the time to read this carefully. The CAA invites everyone to respond and provide their input.
NTC91.258 Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broa…
ADS-B Grant Scheme pays out $46k in March
23 Apr 2020
The ADS-B Grant Scheme, which was launched on March 23, has already received over 270 applications and paid out $46k (plus GST) for just 18 claims.
The Government supported ADS-B Transponder Grant is open to applications from owners of NZ …
NSS Key Messages and Covid-19 Update
9 Apr 2020
Please find the NSSWG Key Messages here from the last NSSWG meeting held on 17 February.
Due to the upheaval caused by Covid-19 we have only just been able to place the key messages on the NSS website. Getting the ADS-B Grant Scheme under…
ADS-B Grant Scheme now welcoming applications
30 Mar 2020The NSS team is delighted to announce that the CAA has opened the ADS-B Grant Scheme, and aircraft owners who meet the eligibility criteria can now submit applications to claim up to $3000 + GST for their ADS-B installations.
Information o…
NSS Working Group Key Messages February 2020
17 Feb 2020
Aviation stakeholders once again came together for the bi-monthly New Southern Sky Working Group meeting held at the Civil Aviation Authority in Wellington on 17th February 2020.
Key discussions included the ADS-B grant administration sc…
ADS-B draft rule marks further significant NSS milestone
23 Jan 2020
On 19 December 2019, the Civil Aviation Authority released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) relating to the requirement to operate ADS-B in all controlled airspace from 31 December 2021. This is the latest milestone surrounding ADS-B…
Link to Item PageA year of ADS-B milestones
20 Dec 2019
Don’t forget to book your ADS-B installationIf you own a New Zealand-registered aircraft with a MCTOW of less than 7,500kg, you may qualify for financial support to help you equip with ADS-B.
In October the Government announced a $12.5 mil…
PBN Regulatory Framework Project - how we're tracking
20 Dec 2019
As outlined in the National Airspace and Air Navigation Plan 2017 (NAANP); New Zealand is to move to a full PBN environment, with some system redundancy by 2023. The Civil Aviation Rules are outdated and prescriptive. They do not support th…
Link to Item PageEligibility criteria for ADS-B grant released
8 Nov 2019
If you own a New Zealand-registered aircraft with a MCTOW of less than 7,500kg, you may qualify for financial support to help you equip with ADS-B.
In October the Government announced a $12.5 million ADS-B Grant programme, to support the u…
Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) Trials Outcomes
17 Oct 2019In early 2017, the New Southern Sky (NSS) programme contracted BECA to conduct a Feasibility Study to determine the suitability of ADS-B Transponder and GNSS position source equipment that were not certified as per the applicable TSOs liste…
Link to Item PageBoost to New Southern Sky Programme - ADS-B grant announced for GA
4 Oct 2019
GA Fliers may be eligible for financial support to help them equip with ADS-B as part of a new $12.5 million ADS-B Transponder Grant announced by the Government today.
Owners of New Zealand-registered general aviation aircraft who install …
MetService Improves Access to Weather Information for the Aviation Industry
12 Sep 2019
MetOps Display Provides Improved Situational Awareness for AviationMetService are unveiling a new product created to help the aviation industry stay connected and aware of weather conditions on the ground and in the air.
MetOps Display is …
Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) Benefits Prove Hard to Ignore
6 Sep 2019
New Southern Sky Study Suggests Big Benefits to be Realised by A-CDMA study commissioned by NSS has produced some encouraging information on the benefits that may be harvested from the deployment of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A…
Link to Item PageChristchurch PBN Flight Paths Final Report Released
29 Aug 2019
Report Confirms Performance Based Navigation Benefits Are Being DeliveredA 12-month PBN flight path trial for some arrivals into Christchurch Airport ended on 9 November 2018. The trial was delivered in conjunction with Airways New Zealand,…
Link to Item PageSBAS Trial Economic Benefits Analysis Report Released
13 Aug 2019
We are happy to inform you that today in Australia, the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, the Hon Matt Canavan publicly announced the release of the Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) Trial economic benefits analysis re…
Link to Item PageNew Southern Sky visits the US NextGen Programme
27 Jun 2019
In early June, New Southern Sky director Steve Smyth travelled to Washington DC to meet with counterparts from the United States’ equivalent of the NSS programme.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s NextGen is a $40 billion program to mo…
Budget investment in GPS technology will help save lives
24 Jun 2019
New Zealand Government commits $2.0M to as shared Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS)An announcement from the Beehive on Sunday 23rd June confirmed New Zealand would be committing money towards the development of an Australasian SBAS…
Link to Item PageWatch stakeholders share their thoughts on PBN at Approach 19
17 Apr 2019
From commercial operators to Avionics LAMES, air traffic controllers, and procedure designer’s, in this short video hear members of the aviation sector talk about their experiences with PBN, including the importance of engagement and why th…
Link to Item PageApproach 19 Presentations slides now available
11 Apr 2019
Approach 19 PBN Forum Presentations Presentation slides from Approach 19 Australasian PBN Forum which was held on 2/3rd April 2019 are now available online for viewing. If you have any questions relating to the content of the slides, please…
Link to Item PageCAA releases SOPs guidance material to support PBN transition
3 Apr 2019
The CAA is pleased to announce the release of Performance Based Navigation standard operating procedures guidance material. The document has been released as part of a New Southern Sky (NSS) initiative to help smooth the pathway for operato…
Link to Item PageLooking Ahead in New Zealand
4 Mar 2019
IATA Highlights New Zealand's Positioning on the Global Stage The International Air Transport Association (IATA) supports aviation with global standards for airline safety, security, efficiency and sustainability. In the following article, …
Link to Item PageIs New Zealand Aviation Ready for the Future?
1 Feb 2019
The Royal Aeronautical Society Wellington presents “Is New Zealand Aviation Ready for the Future?” at ‘Wings Over Wairarapa’.
This is an outstanding opportunity to hear speakers including the RNZAF, CAA, and the Honorable Company of Air Pi…
CAA release PBN Operational End-State 2023 document
23 Dec 2018
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is pleased to announce the release of the Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Operational End-State 2023: A Regulatory View document.
The document provides operators with a regulatory view of the future PB…
Part 91 and Part 135 operators share their advice on PBN
20 Dec 2018
RidgeAir with support from NSS hit the road in November to talk about PBN with Part 91 and Part 135 IFR operators.
Hear advice from operators who attended the discussions. Questions covered in this video are:
1. What was the most valuable …
Practical tips and information to help you equip for ADS-B
19 Dec 2018
Don't get left in the hangar... equip with ADS-B to keep flyingThe Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is proposing to mandate ADS-B OUT in all transponder mandatory controlled airspace from 31 December 2021. As the New Zealand aviation system m…
Link to Item PageSouth Island operators get on board with PBN
21 Nov 2018
A large number of South Island operators have literally got on board with PBN this week, getting to see how the system works from the cockpit of a PBN-equipped aircraft.
Ridge Air chief pilot Ross McCullum and one of his company’s aircraft…
Satellite Navigation Made Better
13 Sep 2018
Most aircraft owners and pilots already understand the benefits of GPS as a primary means of navigation and the improved surveillance coverage Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) provides. However, less is known about the ben…
Link to Item PageMILESTONE ACHIEVED: Rules and Guidance for ADS-B OUT in the NZFIR
15 Aug 2018
Major Milestone AchievedThe first major regulatory milestone has been reached in the last month with the signing of the Rule, Notice and publishing of the AC with regard to ADS-B above FL245. The Future Surveillance project team has worked …
Link to Item PageMaking the Most of ADS-B in General Aviation - an Australian example
24 Jul 2018
Former AOPA Australia president talks ADS-B benefits for General AviationAt the recent 2018 New Southern Sky Conference, Andrew Andersen, former president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Australia and GA pilot, shared h…
Link to Item PageGeneral ADS-B Information Released
17 Jul 2018
CAA releases general ADS-B Information for Aircraft Owners and Operators in the NZFIRNew Zealand is implementing Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) as its main source of surveillance data for air traffic management. With t…
Link to Item PageProvisional schedule for the delivery of PBN regulatory change released!
16 Jul 2018
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), under the New Southern Sky (NSS) programme, is pleased to announce the release of a provisional schedule for the delivery of Performance Based Navigation (PBN) regulatory changes.
The schedule for regul…
Interim PBN Flight Paths Trial Report Released
13 Jul 2018
In November 2017, Christchurch International Airport and its partners, embarked on a 12-month Performance Based Navigation (PBN) trial to determine the safety, environmental, economic and social benefits it could provide to travelers, the a…
Link to Item PageGround Based Navigation Aid Report
26 Apr 2018
The report produced by the Ground Based Navigation Aid Review Panel (GBNA RP) is now available on the New Southern Sky website.
The full report can be accessed by clicking here.
Wellington Airport Announces Flight Path Trial
21 Mar 2018
Wellington Airport has announced its plans for a Performance Based Navigation (PBN) trial beginning in September 2018.
The Performance Based Navigation (PBN) trial will see aircraft use their Global Positioning System (GPS) to follow opti…
Aeropath AIS-AIM Partnership
8 Mar 2018
Aeropath Signs Deal with Snowflake SoftwareToday it was announced that Snowflake Software, a provider of cloud and on-premise software solutions for the aviation industry, is working with Aeropath to deliver an Aeronautical Information Exch…
Link to Item PagePlanned testing of non-certified / low powered ADS-B equipment
23 Feb 2018
The 2017 NSS Roadshow highlighted interest from the sector around alternative low-power and non-certified ADS-B solutions. In response to this feedback, the NSS Programme is looking to conduct tests of non-certified/low-powered ADS-B equipm…
Link to Item PageGround Based Navigation Aids - Recommendations Released
19 Feb 2018
GROUND BASED NAVIGATION AIDS
In taking advantage of the availability of the Global Positioning System (GPS), many countries have taken the opportunity to reduce the number of ground based navigation aids (GBNA) (beacons).
In New Zealand,…
New Zealand PBN Implementation Plan - Revised 2017 Released!
14 Dec 2017
The second edition of the New Zealand Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Implementation Plan is now available.
The Plan, delivered under the New Southern Sky programme in consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders, aims to have a…
VIDEO: PBN in New Zealand – Advice from a PART 135 Operator
27 Sep 2017
Massey LynchMassey is the Pilot/Training Standards Manager at Westpac Air Ambulance in Hamilton, part of the Philips Search and Rescue Trust. You can find out more about this organisation and the great work it does here. We have reproduced…
Link to Item PageNSS Conference Webinar Series "Making ADS-B Work" has lift off
The NSS Conference Webinar Series “Making ADS-B Work” successfully kicked off on Tues 03 Nov with over 60 attendees logging in to hear Dan Hicok of the FAA give a US perspective on the lessons learned from their transition to ADS-B. Dan had…
Link to Item PageWorkshop Capacity Survey highlights the need to equip with ADS-B OUT sooner rather than later
The New Southern Sky team has released a report that clearly highlights the finite capacity of Avionics Workshops around New Zealand, and reiterates the need to get equipped (or at least booked in to a workshop) as soon as possible.
The su…
ADS-B FAQ document updated for 2020
The ADS-B FAQ document has now been updated for 2020 and can be found here. The document now includes a section relating to the ADS-B Grant Scheme.
For further information see the Surveillance Workstream page, or email adsb@caa.govt.nz