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.
  • 2.2.2 The pilot of an aircraft must:
    • (a) when climbing above 13,000 ft, set the altimeter to 1013.2 hPa; and
    • (b) 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 are summarised in Figure 1.7-1.
  • 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. 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.