PPL privileges for DL9 and Class 2 medicals – how do they compare?
Please note: To be able to fly on a DL9 driver licence medical certificate, your DL9 needs to be at least a Class 2 (2,3,4,5) medical certificate with passenger (P) endorsement.
Comparisons of PPL vs RPL privleges for DL9 holders are shown in green.
Changes take effect on 5 April 2021 – More details here
See PPL medical privileges table – Class 2 and DL9 [PDF 161 KB] for rule references for each activity.
Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand
| Activity | PPL with Class 2 Medical | PPL with DL9 Medical |
| Operate aircraft for hire or reward |  | No change from RPL |
| Operate aircraft for remuneration | | No change from RPL |
| Operate aircraft outside NZ |  | If permitted by foreign country to operate in that country New privilege: Was prohibited on RPL |
| Fly single-engine aircraft | | Up to a maximum combined take-off weight (MCTOW) not exceeding 2,730kg Increased from RPL privilege: Could previously only fly a single engine, non-pressurised aeroplane with MCTOW of 2000kg or helicopter with 1500kg MCTOW |
| Fly multi-engine aircraft | | Up to MCTOW not exceeding 2,730kg New privilege: RPL holders were unable to fly multi-engine aircraft |
| Fly pressurised aircraft | | Up to 25,000 ft above mean sea level New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from flying pressurised aircraft |
| Fly aircraft using instrument flight rules (IFR) | | No change: IFR was not permitted on a RPL |
| Exercise the privileges of aerobatic ratings | | Solo aerobatic manoeuvres can be performed above 3,000 feet by DL9 holders No change: RPL holders were prohibited from exercising aerobatic rating privileges. The restriction against performing aerobatic manoeuvres below 3,000 feet exists in rule 91.701. |
| Fly aircraft at night | Provided the pilot has night flight experience acceptable to the Director, and an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to fly at night. | Only within 25 nm of a lit aerodrome New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from night flying |
| Fly aircraft on a cross-country flight | Provided an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to perform cross country flight. | Provided an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to perform cross country flight Revised privilege: RPL holders needed at least 50 hrs flight time experience as pilot in appropriate category of aircraft comprising of solo flight time, instrument time, and cross-country time acceptable to the Director. |
| Perform helicopter sling load operations | Provided an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to perform these operations. | Provided an appropriately qualified flight instructor has certified in the holder’s logbook that the holder has satisfactorily completed the flight training required to perform these operations. New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from conducting sling load operations |
| Perform agricultural aircraft operations | | No change from RPL |
| Maximum number of passengers | No maximum number of passengers is specified in the rules. | PPL holders on a DL9 medical can carry 5 passengers, unless they are performing an aerobatic manoeuvre above 3,000 feet, in which case no passengers are allowed. Increased privilege: RPL holders could only carry one passenger |
| Fly over congested areas of cities and towns | | Revised privilege: RPL holders could only fly over congested areas of cities and towns for the purpose of take-off and landing. Restriction is now removed. |
| Perform a banner tow operation | | But not below 500 feet above ground level (AGL) New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from performing banner tow operations |
| Perform a parachute drop operation | | But not exceeding 10,000 feet AMSL New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from performing parachute drop operations |
| Perform a drogue tow operation | | But not below 500 feet AGL New privilege: RPL holders were prohibited from performing drogue tow operations |
| Operate into and out of a controlled aerodrome | | Provided the holder maintains radio contact with appropriate ATS unit at all times. However, the holder is not required to maintain radio contact at alltimes if the person has successfully passed a colour deficiency screen test acceptable to the Director, and the flight has been approved by the ATS unit. Revised privilege: RPL holders could operate into or out of controlled aerodrome if the holder has provided the Director with evidence of a successful colour vision screening test that is acceptable to the Director. Note – removed the successful colour vision screening requirement as the default requirement (replaced by maintain radio contact at all times) given that CAA has no control over the DL9 processes and medical assessments (which include CVD screening). Also reduces potential costs in getting CVD screening done. |
| Glider towing | | But not for remuneration, as pilot-in-command or as a co-pilot of an aircraft that is operated for hire or reward to tow a glider in flight, but only if the operation is under the direct control of a gliding organisation, or under the authority of an adventure aviation operator. |
| Fly Glider | | No change from RPL. A Class 2 medical is still required to fly a glider on a PPL |
Author: admin
1 Comment
I would like to see CASA accept the advice supplied to them from the DAME and the SPECIA
LISTS as these people are PROFESSIONALS and in most cases highly trained. These PROFESSIONALS should have the authority to decide who flys and who doesn’t.