AIP New Zealand ENR 1.7-1 ENR 1.7 ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 General 1.1.1 The requirements for altimeter setting are detailed in CAR Part 91. The requirements are summarised in this section for information. 1.2 Units 1.2.1 The standard unit for measurement of atmospheric pressure within both the Auckland Oceanic FIR and the New Zealand FIR is the Hectopascal (hpa), although the pressure setting in inches (of Mercury) will be provided by ATS when specifically requested by a pilot. 1.2.2 QNH settings passed by ATS to aircraft will be rounded down to the nearest whole hpa. 1.2.3 A pressure type altimeter calibrated in accordance with the standard atmosphere will indicate: (a) altitude when set to a QNH altimeter setting; and (b) flight level when set to a pressure of 1013.2 hpa (29.92 inches). 1.3 QNH Aerodrome QNH Altimeter Setting 1.3.1 The aerodrome QNH altimeter setting is the aerodrome level pressure reduced to mean sea level in accordance with the standard atmosphere. With aerodrome QNH set on the sub-scale, the altimeter of an aircraft on the ground at that aerodrome will indicate the elevation of the aerodrome at that point, plus the height of the altimeter above that point. Zone Area QNH Altimeter Setting 1.3.2 The Zone Area QNH altimeter setting is the QNH setting applicable within the defined Area QNH Zones within the Auckland Oceanic FIR and the New Zealand FIR (Refer to section 3). 1.3.3 In order to ensure availability, ATS can provide a Zone Area QNH from approved primary or secondary sources. Effective: 25 NOV 04
ENR 1.7-2 AIP New Zealand 2 BASIC ALTIMETER SETTING PROCEDURES 2.1 Altimeter Setting Procedures Auckland Oceanic FIR 2.1.1 The pilot of an aircraft flying within the Auckland Oceanic FIR must maintain vertical position by reference to the standard pressure value of 1013.2 hpa, except that: (a) Within the Rarotonga, Samoa, Tonga and Norfolk Island Area QNH Zones vertical position must be maintained by reference to the Zone QNH. The pilot of an aircraft landing and taking off must use the appropriate aerodrome QNH. (b) Where the aerodrome or heliport of destination or departure is not within an Area QNH Zone (e.g. at the Chatham Islands), aircraft should use the appropriate aerodrome QNH value when at or below 3000 ft within 10 NM of the shoreline of the landmass on which the destination or departure aerodrome or heliport is situated. 2.1.2 Aircraft entering the New Zealand FIR are required to remain on 1013.2 hpa to the FIR boundary and then comply with the altimeter setting procedures detailed below. 2.1.3 Aircraft entering the Auckland Oceanic FIR from the New Zealand FIR, must, if on QNH, change to 1013.2 hpa at the FIR boundary. 2.2 Altimeter Setting Procedures New Zealand FIR 2.2.1 Within the New Zealand FIR the pilot of an aircraft operating: (a) at or above the transition level of FL150 must maintain vertical position by reference to the standard pressure value of 1013.2 hpa; and (b) at or below the transition altitude of 13,000 ft must maintain vertical position by reference to the QNH altimeter setting; and (c) between 13,000 ft and the transition level of FL150 must maintain vertical position by reference to the altimeter setting as advised by ATC. Effective: 2 APR 15
AIP New Zealand ENR 1.7-3 2.2.2 The pilot of an aircraft must: (a) (b) when climbing above 13,000 ft, set the altimeter to 1013.2 hpa; and when descending through FL150, set the altimeter to the appropriate zone area or aerodrome QNH. 2.2.3 The transition layer, between 13,000 ft and FL150, can only be used for ascending or descending, or for cruising provided the aircraft has ATS approval. 2.2.4 Altimeter setting procedures aresummarisedinfigure1.7-1. Figure ENR 1.7-1 Altimeter Setting Procedures FLIGHT LEVELS ALL OPERATIONS ON 1013.2 hpa FL150 Cruise TRANSITION LEVEL TRANSITION LAYER Set Aerodrome or Zone Area QNH Set 1013.2 Set Zone Area QNH during climb 13,000 ft TRANSITION ALTITUDE Set aerodrome QNH Cruise during descent ALL OPERATIONS ON ZONE AREA OR AERODROME QNH Set Aerodrome QNH or aerodrome elevation 2.2.5 When the Zone Area QNH is above 980 hpa the transition layer provides adequate separation between aircraft using the QNH setting and aircraft operating on the standard pressure value. 2.2.6 When a Zone Area QNH is 980 hpa or less the minimum usable flight level for that zone increases to FL160. Terrain Clearance 2.2.7 The transition level FL150 is designed to provide terrain clearance throughout New Zealand under all conditions of temperature and pressure. The exception is that within the area of a circle of 20 NM radius centred on 43 36 S 170 09 E, which includes Mount Cook (12,316 ft), IFR flights in level flight in IMC must maintain at least FL160 in order to ensure adequate terrain clearance. Effective: 22 NOV 07
ENR 1.7-4 AIP New Zealand QNH Altimeter Settings 2.2.8 In Class C and D airspace, the pilot of an aircraft must maintain vertical position by reference to the QNH setting advised by ATS. 2.2.9 The pilot of an aircraft operating in Class G airspace must maintain vertical position by reference to the Zone Area QNH setting except that the appropriate aerodrome QNH setting must be used for: (a) take-off, landing, and flight within the aerodrome traffic circuit; and (b) the intermediate and final approach segments of an instrument approach. 2.2.10 The pilot of an aircraft departing from an aerodrome where no QNH setting is available must set aerodrome elevation on the altimeter prior to departure and obtain the appropriate altimeter setting from an ATS unit as soon as possible, and in any case, before entering IMC. 3 ALTIMETER SETTING REGIONS 3.1 Area QNH Zones Auckland Oceanic FIR 3.1.1 Within the Auckland Oceanic FIR there are four Area QNH zones: (a) (b) (c) (d) Norfolk Island; Rarotonga; Samoa; and Tonga. 3.1.2 A detailed description of these Area QNH zones, and the procedures that apply within each zone is provided in the New Zealand Air Navigation Register. 3.2 Area QNH Zones New Zealand FIR 3.2.1 There are 12 defined Area QNH zones within the New Zealand FIR. These zones are shown in Figure ENR 1.7-2. A detailed description of each of these Area QNH zones is provided in the New Zealand Air Navigation Register. Effective: 2 APR 15
AIP New Zealand ENR 1.7-5 Figure ENR 1.7-2 Area QNH Zones in the New Zealand FIR Effective: 20 JUL 17
ENR 1.7-6 AIP New Zealand Effective: 4 SEP 03
AIP New Zealand ENR 1.7-7 4 MAGNETIC TRACK ALTITUDE REQUIREMENTS 4.1 Auckland Oceanic FIR 4.1.1 Unless otherwise authorised by ATC during flight within Class A airspace, aircraft must be flown in the Auckland Oceanic FIR at a cruising level appropriate to their track selected from Table ENR 1.7-1: Auckland Oceanic FIR Table of Cruising Levels. 4.1.2 Within Class A airspace, pilots requesting levels which are not in accordance with that table must prefix the required level with... NON STANDARD.... 4.2 New Zealand FIR 4.2.1 The pilot of any aircraft operating in the New Zealand FIR must fly at prescribed altitudes or flight levels, set out below. VFR Flights 4.2.2 CAR 91.313 requires the pilot of an aircraft, other than a glider or hangglider, operating under VFR in level cruising flight at more than 3000 ft AMSL or 1000 ft AGL (whichever is the higher) to fly at an altitude or FL appropriate to the track as specified in Table ENR 1.7-2: New Zealand FIR Table of Cruising Levels. The exceptions to this are: (a) (b) when otherwise authorised by ATC during flight within, entering or leaving Class C and D airspace; or when operating within controlled airspace, where ATC may assign IFR levels to VFR aircraft. IFR Flights 4.2.3 CAR 91.425 requires the pilot of an aircraft operating under IFR in level cruising flight to fly at an altitude or FL appropriate to the track as specified in Table ENR 1.7-2: New Zealand FIR Table of Cruising Levels. The exception to this requirement is when otherwise authorised by ATC during flight within, entering or leaving controlled airspace. 4.2.4 Pilots requesting levels which are not in accordance with the IFR column of the New Zealand FIR Table of Cruising Levels must prefix the required level with... NON STANDARD.... Effective: 7 JUL 05
ENR 1.7-8 AIP New Zealand Block Levels 4.2.5 Within controlled airspace, pilots of aircraft engaged in radio navigation or approach aid calibration, aerial work, other special operations, or aircraft unable to maintain assigned level, or aircraft that wish to employ cruise climb techniques may be cleared to operate between a specified upper limit and a specified lower limit. International Flights 4.2.6 International flights entering, leaving, or transiting the New Zealand FIR may flight plan that portion of the flight within the New Zealand FIR at a level in accordance with Table ENR 1.7-1: Auckland Oceanic FIR Table of Cruising Levels. Effective: 5 APR 12
AIP New Zealand ENR 1.7-9 Table ENR 1.7-1 Auckland Oceanic FIR Table of Cruising Levels Track from 000 to 179 MAG* Altitude or Flight Level Track from 180 to 359 MAG* Altitude or Flight Level IFR VFR IFR VFR etc etc FL490 FL510 FL450 FL470 FL410 FL430 FL390 FL400 FL370 FL380 FL350 FL360 FL330 FL340 FL310 FL320 FL290 FL300 FL270 FL280 FL250 FL260 FL230 FL235 FL240 FL245 FL210 FL215 FL220 FL225 FL190 FL195 FL200 FL205 FL170 FL175 FL180 FL185 FL150 FL155 FL160 FL165 FL130 13,000 ft FL135 FL140 FL145 FL110 11,000 ft FL115 11,500 ft FL120 12,000 ft FL125 12,500 ft FL90 9000 ft FL95 9500 ft FL100 10,000 ft FL105 10,500 ft FL70 7000 ft FL75 7500 ft FL80 8000 ft FL85 8500 ft FL50 5000 ft FL55 5500 ft FL60 6000 ft FL65 6500 ft FL30 3000 ft FL35 3500 ft FL40 4000 ft FL45 4500 ft *Use GRID track reference south of 60 S instead of MAGNETIC track reference. Altitudes apply within designated QNH zones only. D Effective: 26 JUL 12
ENR 1.7-10 AIP New Zealand Table ENR 1.7-2 New Zealand FIR Table of Cruising Levels Track from 270 to 089 MAG Altitude or Flight Level Track from 090 to 269 MAG Altitude or Flight Level IFR VFR IFR VFR FL450 FL410 FL390 FL370 FL350 FL330 FL310 FL290 etc FL470 FL430 FL400 FL380 FL360 FL340 FL320 FL300 FL270 FL275 FL280 FL250 FL255 FL260 FL265 FL230 FL235 FL240 FL245 FL210 FL215 FL220 FL225 FL190 FL195 FL200 FL205 FL170 FL175 FL180 FL185 FL150** FL155** FL160 FL165 etc 13,000 ft * * * 11,000 ft 11,500 ft 12,000 ft 12,500 ft 9000 ft 9500 ft 10,000 ft 10,500 ft 7000 ft 7500 ft 8000 ft 8500 ft 5000 ft 5500 ft 6000 ft 6500 ft 3000 ft 3500 ft 4000 ft 4500 ft * Within controlled airspace ATC may clear an aircraft to cruise at 14,000 ft (designated as NON STANDARD) in an emergency or when hazardous weather is reported or forecast. Other levels between 13,000 ft and FL150 are only available to aircraft carrying out special activity operations, such aircraft will be issued with a block clearance in the transition layer. Flights operating outside controlled airspace and under IFR may use any level between 13,000 ft and FL150 provided they are unable to operate outside that range, have established that there is no conflict with other aircraft, and have given prior notification of the altitude to be flown to an ATS unit. ** FL150 and FL155 must not be used as cruising levels when the zone QNH is 980 hpa or less. Effective: 26 JUL 12