Blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

Manihiki is one of the larger islands (10.5-km (6.5-mi) long) in the remote Cook Island chain; with its fringing coral reef and central lagoon, it has the hallmarks of a classic atoll. The coral lives in the warm, shallow waters that appear as the light blue zones around the main coastline and the numerous small islets within the lagoon. Most of the main atoll is made of sandy beaches without vegetation; it appears white or cream due to dead coral broken up by waves. Soils develop on the highest parts of these beaches, supporting dense stands of dark green trees. A few clouds cast shadows on the water. Two small towns – Tauhunu and Tukao – appear as clusters of small bright patches etched into the forest. Aircraft land at the runway in Tukao after flying from New Zealand, 3,650 km (2,270 mi) to the southwest. Tourism is the main economic activity on the atoll, with diving in the lagoon and fishing in the waters outside it as the major attractions. Manihiki also produces rare black pearls, which are harvested from the local species of oyster.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Government

According to Britannica, the Cook Islands is a self-governing state. Although New Zealand is nominally responsible for defense and for external affairs, the Cook Islands has nevertheless independently established diplomatic relations and entered into international treaties. The formal head of state is the British monarch, represented by an appointed delegate to the islands; the government of New Zealand also appoints a representative, known as the high commissioner. Day-to-day executive power is vested in a cabinet headed by the prime minister and appointed by the islands’ unicameral Parliament. Parliamentary elections, with universal adult suffrage, are held every four years. The constitution, adopted in 1965, has been amended several times. A council of hereditary leaders, the House of Ariki (High Chiefs), advises the government on traditional matters of landownership, custom, and the like. The two main political parties are the Cook Islands Party and the Democratic Party.

Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)

The Cook Islands Ministry of Transport is a Government department in a country dependent upon maritime and aviation transport, both nationally and internationally. The Ministry of Transport is charged with carrying out all of the functions of maritime and aviation administration necessary under international and national law in a rapidly changing and developing transport environment.

In addition, the Cook Islands Meteorological Service is a division of the Ministry of Transport. The Met Service provides the latest weather updates, forecasts and warnings for the Cook Islands.

The Offices of the Ministry of Transport are also responsible for administering the liquor licensing regime and secretariat to the licensing of public transport such as taxi, buses and tourism transfers transportation.

The Pacific Aviation Safety Office (PASO) is an international organization providing quality aviation safety and security service for Member States in the Pacific.

PASO is the sole international organization responsible for regional regulatory aviation safety oversight service for the 10 Pacific States who are signatories to the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty (PICASST).

The current PICASST signatories are the Pacific nations of Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Associate Members of PASO are Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Government representatives from these nations make up the PASO Council.

Airspace

SkyVector – Google Maps – ADS-B Exchange

ICAO countries publish an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). This document is divided into three parts: General (GEN), En Route (ENR) and Aerodromes (AD). ENR 1.4 details the types of airspace classes they chose to adopt from classes A through G. Cook Islands AIP

Drone Regulations

Drone laws – The Ministry of Transport (MOT) wish to inform the public of the dangers and hazards drones and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) can cause to aircraft operations. Under the Civil Aviation Act 2002, there are strict Rules applying to the operation of drones and RPAS to ensure they remain clear from aircraft flight paths. Cook Islands Civil Aviation Rule (CICAR) Part 101 regulate the general use of use drones. CICAR Part 102 applies for the operation of drones for commercial use. The following are some of the detailed requirements relating to the operation of drones/RPAS

CICAR 101.11 Not to be operated in controlled airspace unless authorization is obtained from the Air Traffic Control Unit.  Note the whole of Rarotonga is contained within the Rarotonga International Airport’s control zone and thus permission must be obtained from the Manager Air Traffic Services, Airport Authority for all drone operations on Rarotonga

CICAR 101.205 Not to be operated within 4km of an uncontrolled aerodrome.

CICAR 101.207 (a) (3) Not to be operated at a height above 400ft above ground/water

CICAR 101.207 (a)(1) Not to be operated over people or property unless prior consent has been obtained

For further information and authority to operate please contact the following:

Ministry of Transport, telephone 28810, email john.hosking@cookislands.gov.ck

Airport Authority, telephone 25890, email savage@airport.gov.ck

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

Short Essay Questions