4.72 Cruising Levels

4.72.2 State the altitude requirements when cruising VFR within the New Zealand FIR. CAR Part 91 & AIP ENR

91.313 VFR cruising altitude and flight level

A pilot-in-command operating within the New Zealand FIR under VFR in level cruising flight must use the prescribed VFR cruising altitude or flight level when operating at more than:

• 3,000 feet AMSL; or
• 1,000 feet AGL,

whichever is higher.

This requirement applies unless otherwise authorised by an ATC unit.

At or Below 13,000 Feet AMSL

The cruising altitude is based on the aircraft’s magnetic track.

Magnetic track 270° clockwise to 089°:

Use any odd thousand-foot altitude AMSL + 500 feet.

Examples:

• 3,500 feet
• 5,500 feet
• 7,500 feet
• 9,500 feet
• 11,500 feet