Notice is hereby given that in accordance with section 322(1)(b) of the Civil Aviation Act 2023, the Director of Civil Aviation, has granted a class exemption: 26/EXE/25 class exemption to CAR 135.363(1) and CAR 91.523(b), which permits air operators to use AgustaWestland AW169 helicopters manufactured by Leonardo S.p.A. (formerly Finmeccanica Helicopter Division, AgustaWestland) under European Union Aviation Safety Agency Type Certificate No. R.509 to not have an axe as an emergency equipment because these aircraft have pop-up (jettisonable) windows that would allow egress from the aircraft without the need for an axe, effective from 1 April 2026.

This class exemption is secondary legislation for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2019.

The administering agency responsible for administering this class exemption is the Civil Aviation Authority.

This exemption is available on the CAA website: www.aviation.govt.nz.

Dated at Wellington this 24th day of March 2026.

KANE PATENA, Director of Civil Aviation.