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NZ CPL — aeroplane: the hours, and when you'll have them

200 hours of flight time in aeroplanes, including 100 pic in aeroplanes, 30 cross-country, 10 night and 10 instrument time. From Rule 61.203 and AC61-5 Appendix I, read from the rule text on 19 September 2026.

The minimums

RequirementHours
Flight time in aeroplanes150 if you complete a full course of approved training.200
PIC in aeroplanes100
Cross-countryIncluding 20 hours of training and the cross-country flight test.30
Night4 of it dual and 5 as PIC — needed to use the licence at night.10
Instrument time5 dual in aeroplanes; 5 may be in an approved synthetic trainer.10

Also required: You also need a PPL and a class 1 medical.

Plan it

Your totals and your monthly rate for each. Nothing leaves this page.

RequirementNeedYou haveA monthWhen
Flight time in aeroplanes200—
PIC in aeroplanes100—
Cross-country30—
Night10—
Instrument time10—

Fill in what you have to see what's left.

Let your logbook fill this in

AvLog Plus has this goal built in, and twelve more across six authorities. Its Goals tab reads every flight you log, works out your pace from your last twelve months, and moves the date as you fly — with the pace a target date needs and the requirement holding you back. A$29 once, every edition.

See AvLog PlusStart with AvLog Lite — free, NZ CAA layout

Common questions

How many hours do you need for the NZ CPL — aeroplane?+

200 hours of flight time in aeroplanes, including 100 pic in aeroplanes, 30 cross-country, 10 night and 10 instrument time. That is the headline from Rule 61.203 and AC61-5 Appendix I; the rule adds conditions — flight time in aeroplanes: 150 if you complete a full course of approved training. cross-country: Including 20 hours of training and the cross-country flight test. night: 4 of it dual and 5 as PIC — needed to use the licence at night. instrument time: 5 dual in aeroplanes; 5 may be in an approved synthetic trainer.

What else does the NZ CPL — aeroplane need besides hours?+

You also need a PPL and a class 1 medical.

Where do these numbers come from?+

They were read from Rule 61.203 and AC61-5 Appendix I itself on 19 September 2026. Rules change, and your authority decides what it accepts — check the rule before you rely on a number here.

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