91.223 Operating on and in the vicinity of an aerodrome

• (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a pilot of an aeroplane operating on or in the vicinity of an aerodrome must--
  • (1) observe other aerodrome traffic for the purpose of avoiding a collision; and
  • (2) unless otherwise authorised or instructed by ATC, conform with or avoid the aerodrome traffic circuit formed by other aircraft; and
  • (3) perform a left-hand aerodrome traffic circuit when approaching for a landing at and after take-off from an aerodrome that is published in the AIPNZ unless--
    • (i) the pilot is otherwise authorised or instructed by ATC; or
    • (ii) the IFR procedure published in the AIPNZ for the runway being used specifies a right-hand turn and the approach for landing or the take-off is being performed in accordance with the instrument procedure; and
  • (4) perform a right-hand aerodrome traffic circuit when approaching for a landing at and after take-off from an aerodrome that is published in the AIPNZ, if the details published in the AIPNZ for the aerodrome specify a right-hand aerodrome traffic circuit for the runway being used unless--
    • (i) the pilot is otherwise authorised or instructed by ATC; or
    • (ii) the IFR procedure published in the AIPNZ for the runway being used specifies a left-hand turn and the approach for landing or the take-off is being performed in accordance with the instrument procedure; and
  • (5) unless otherwise authorised or instructed by ATC, comply with any special aerodrome traffic rules prescribed in Part 93 for the aerodrome.
• (b) Paragraphs (a)(3), (a)(4), and (a)(5) do not apply to the pilot-in-command of an aircraft operating at an aviation event in accordance with rule 91.703.
• (c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4), a pilot-in-command of an aircraft performing an agricultural aircraft operation from an aerodrome that is published in the AIPNZ may make turns in any direction when approaching for a landing or after take-off if--
  • (1) the aerodrome does not have an aerodrome control service in attendance; and
  • (2) an aerodrome ground signal depicted in Figure 1 is displayed alongside the runway in use; and
  • (3) there is no conflict with other aerodrome traffic.
• (d) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), a pilot-in-command of a helicopter operating on or in the vicinity of an aerodrome must comply with paragraph (a) or avoid the aerodrome traffic circuit being used by an aeroplane operating on or in the vicinity of the aerodrome.