91.425 IFR cruising altitude or flight level
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(a) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft within the New Zealand FIR
operating under IFR in level cruising flight must, unless otherwise
authorised by an ATC unit for flights in controlled airspace, maintain the
following altitude or flight levels:
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(1) when operating at or below 13 000 feet AMSL and--
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(i) on a magnetic track of 270° clockwise to 089°, any odd
thousand foot altitude AMSL; or
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(ii) on a magnetic track of 090° clockwise to 269°, any even
thousand foot altitude AMSL:
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(2) when operating at or above flight level 150 up to and including
flight level 410 and--
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(i) on a magnetic track of 270° clockwise to 089°, any odd
flight level beginning at and including flight level 150; or
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(ii) on a magnetic track of 090° clockwise to 269°, any even
flight level beginning at and including flight level 160:
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(3) when operating above flight level 410 and--
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(i) on a magnetic track of 270° clockwise to 089°, any odd
flight level, at 4000 foot intervals beginning at and
including flight level 450; or
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(ii) on a magnetic track of 090° clockwise to 269°, any odd
flight level at 4000 foot intervals beginning at and
including flight level 430.
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(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), a pilot-in-command of an
aircraft within the New Zealand FIR operating under IFR must not maintain
level cruising flight--
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(1) at any level between 13 000 feet AMSL and flight level 150,
unless authorised to do so by an ATC unit for flights in
controlled airspace; and
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(2) at any flight level below flight level 160 when the area QNH
zone setting is 980 hPa or less; and
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(3) below flight level 160 when operating in IMC within a 20 nm
radius encompassing Mount Cook centred on S 43.36.00.0,
E 170.09.00.0.
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(c) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft within the New Zealand FIR
operating under IFR outside controlled airspace may maintain level cruising
flight between 13 000 feet AMSL and flight level 150 if the pilot-in-
command--
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(1) is unable to operate the aircraft in level cruising flight at or
below 13 000 feet AMSL or at or above flight level 150; and
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(2) has established that there is no conflict with other aircraft at the
altitude to be flown; and
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(3) has given to the relevant ATS unit prior notification of the
altitude to be flown.