Frequently Asked Questions

You've asked them, and we've answered them! We have a new Frequently Asked Questions page that should help answer at least some of your questions. Questions cover topics such as:

• the difference between the pilot qualification and Part 102 certification;
• whether you can use a Model Flying New Zealand (MFNZ) "Wings Badge" as a qualification for Part 102 operations;
• requirements for spraying;
• flying over crowds; and
• when an Airshare request is required.

Check it out here.

Pyka comes to New Zealand

The Pyka Egret

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd (ASMS) is excited to welcome Pyka LLC to New Zealand. Pyka will be test flying their 'Egret 4' unmanned aircraft under a certification programme agreed with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. The Egret 4 has a wing span of 7.8m and maximum take-off weight of approximately 270kg, with 100kg being available for payload.

Once aircraft certification is achieved then Pyka intends to undertake commercial agricultural spray operations.

Simulated spray run (water only)

Our journey together began back in 2017 when we prepared Pyka's exposition for operation under New Zealand's Civil Aviation Rule Part 102. That journey has continued as we have provided regulatory advice, delivered pilot training and competency assessments, and will continue as we provide training for a UAV Agricultural Rating after aircraft certification and full Part 102 certification is achieved.

About Pyka
Based in Palo Alto, California, Pyka LLC (flypyka.com) is an autonomous electric airplane startup aiming to make agricultural chemical application fast, and precise, and easy – even over challenging terrain.

ASMS issues UAV Agricultural Rating

Warrick Funnell of AgDrone Ltd operates the DJI Agras MG-1S.
Source: NZ Herald.

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd (ASMS) congratulates Warrick Funnell of AgDrone Ltd as the first recipient of a UAV Agricultural Rating.

The UAV Agricultural Rating enables the holder to engage in the aerial application of agrichemicals. The organisation must hold Part 102 certification with a privilege allowing the aerial application of agrichemicals, and the pilots flying for that organisation must hold a UAV Agricultural Rating.

Warrick Funnell says “There was no approved training syllabus / programme for the supervised flying and instruction to gaining our 102 Certificate. ASMS then put together a syllabus and went through the process of CAA approval.

We are very pleased to have had the guiding hand of ASMS and would recommend them as the best source of dealing with all aspects of 102 accreditation.”

The UAV Agricultural Rating course starts with the candidate demonstrating their ability to prepare spray plans that meet all regulatory and local authority requirements. The course then moves to the field where the candidate commences agrichemical operations under the supervision of an experienced instructor.

Pre-requisites for the UAV Agricultural Rating course are an approved pilot qualification, a pilot chemical rating, and within the last 12 months having successfully passed a flight test on the make and model of UAV intended to be used for agrichemical application.

For more information on AgDrone Ltd see their website dronespraying.co.nz.

For more information on how we can assist with Part 102 certification and training for agrichemical application see our agrichemical application page or contact us by email.