What is a Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate (UAOC)?

For commercial drone operators in New Zealand, the Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate (UAOC) represents the highest level of operational approval available under our aviation rules. Unlike a pilot licence, which is held by an individual, a Part 102 certificate is issued to an organisation or company that demonstrates it can safely manage operations outside the standard Part 101 drone rules.

Why Part 102 Exists

Part 101 sets the baseline rules for most everyday drone flying — stay below 120 metres, maintain visual line of sight, avoid flying over people or property without consent, and operate only during daylight, to name a few. These rules work well for simple, low-risk flying.

But many commercial or specialised operations require more flexibility. Examples include:

• Flying at night

• Operating drones heavier than 25 kg

• Flying over people or private property without individual consent

• Using aircraft or payloads with higher operational risk

• Conducting complex or repeatable flights that sit outside standard limitations

To carry out these kinds of operations legally, an organisation needs a Part 102 UAOC.

What a UAOC Actually Certifies

When the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issues a Part 102 certificate, it is confirming that an organisation has robust systems in place to assess risk and operate safely.

This includes the ability to:

• Build and maintain a safety culture

• Train and supervise pilots appropriately

• Manage aircraft maintenance and airworthiness

• Plan and assess risk for each operation

• Respond to incidents and continuously improve processes

The organisation documents all of this in what is called an Exposition — a formal, detailed set of manuals describing how their operation runs. This is not a static document; the CAA expects it to evolve as technology, practices, and the organisation itself changes.

How Part 102 Supports Industry Growth

Part 102 is deliberately flexible. Rather than prescribing exactly how every operation must occur, the CAA evaluates whether an organisation understands its risks and has suitable mitigations in place.

This allows operators to innovate, adopt new technologies, and carry out work that would otherwise be prohibited, while still maintaining the safety of the public and the wider aviation system.

Commercial operators across agriculture, surveying, infrastructure, mapping, emergency response, asset management, and many other sectors rely on Part 102 privileges to deliver value that Part 101 operations simply cannot support.

Why Part 102 Matters to CDANZ Members

At the Commercial Drone Association of New Zealand (CDANZ), we recognise Part 102 certification as a key enabler of safe, scalable, and professional drone operations. It:

• Lifts industry standards

• Builds public and client trust

• Drives organisational competence

• Opens up new commercial opportunities

• Creates standard operating procedures for safety

Whether you're operating a fleet of drones for building washing, conducting precision spraying, or delivering high-risk technical operations, Part 102 is the pathway that allows you to operate legally and responsibly.

Supporting You on the Journey

CDANZ provides resources, guidance, and community support for organisations working toward their UAOC, as well as established certificate holders looking to refine and improve their systems.

As the industry continues to evolve, our goal is to ensure operators have the knowledge, tools, and advocacy they need to succeed safely and sustainably.