Shielded Operations in Controlled Airspace and Near Aerodromes

In plain language

You can fly within 4km of an airport or in controlled airspace without standard authorization if your flight qualifies as a 'shielded operation' (flying close to a physical shield like a building or tree) under the conditions in CATI 101-1.

Requirement as structured

The CAA NZ states that pilots may conduct shielded operations within controlled airspace and within 4km of an aerodrome (outside its boundary) provided they comply with the distance and height criteria specified in CATI 101-1.

Original regulatory text

A shielded operation allows an operator to fly an RPA near a vertical object(such as trees, buildings, pylons etc) with reduced risk to other aviation participants. Shielded operations can take palce within controlled airspace and within 4km of an aerodrome (but outside its boundary), provided that distance and height criteria specified in CATI 101-1 is adhered to.