Controlled aerodromes and operations

An aeroplane on a runway with an air traffic control tower in the background

Aerodrome safety

Look back at this guidance on taxi planning, ATIS and NOTAMs, position tracking and working with ATC to stay safe.

Explaining the rules – Wake turbulence awareness

Watch our latest animation for tips to help you reduce the risks of wake turbulence.

Explaining the rules – Classes of airspace

Refresh your knowledge with the requirements of each class of airspace with our explaining the rules animation.

The comfort of control

Shelley Ross can get 'weirdly passionate' about controlled airspace – she explains why she considers deliberately avoiding it a tragedy.

Airservices pilot safety shorts

Watch Airservices Australia videos on current and emerging risks in your operating airspace.

Explaining the rules

Quick animations explaining the rules on topics including light signals, classes of airspace and more.

AvSafety webinars

Webinars with aviation experts sharing practical tips to help you fly safely in controlled aerodromes and airspace

Crash comic

Short animated stories sharing real pilot experiences and lessons learnt.

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Audio

Positive climb

This pilot learns a valuable lesson about the accuracy required for a successful go-around in this close call.

A brutal hazing

A pilot has a close call in Darwin after experiencing smoke haze for the first time. Discover the lesson learned.

Ignore the sirens

In this close call, a pilot learns about the danger of fixation and the value of training.

One wrong turn

A recreational pilot’s first flight after learning the basics of navigation unravels into an embarrassment that could have been a disaster.

Audio Fixed-wing

Too close for comfort

An instructor remembers just how close he got to a mid-air collision at Archerfield.

Audio Fixed-wing

Aerial view of an aerodrome's runways and taxiways

AvSafety podcast – staying safe on the runway

Tips for negotiating a busy runway and the importance of two-way radio communication.

A white plane with stripes on its side is flying above bright blue water with a few islands in the background.

Taking the low road

This pilot’s decision-making skills kicked in when an overloaded pilot prompted evasive actions flying in Gold Coast airspace.

Audio Fixed-wing

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Events and resources

View of taxiway B and runway 12 at Jandakot Aerodrome, showing a runway holding point sign and the intersection area where pilots must maintain situational awareness while taxiing.

Keeping off runways: preventing runway incursions

Busy ground operations increase runway incursion risk. Learn tips to avoid entering a runway without clearance.

Operating around controlled and restricted airspace

Learn from Airservices how to plan, monitor and communicate to reduce infringement risk and support safe decisions.

AvSafety webinar: Radio failure in controlled airspace

Register for a webinar on radio failure procedures in controlled airspace and troubleshooting problems in the cockpit.

2 April 2026

A person wearing a high-visibility vest with a small aircraft in the background

Navigating the margins with Special VFR

Learn ATC criteria and common traps that catch pilots out when requesting and operating under Special VFR.

The hateful eight

Even experienced pilots can make mistakes at controlled aerodromes. Learn about common errors and how to avoid them.

On the same frequency: phraseology and readback

Practical tips from an air traffic controller and a RAAF flying instructor on communicating with confidence.

Working the crowd

Airspace changes are coming for sport and recreational pilots – here are key tips to help you stay safe in controlled airspace.

Check your departure plan

There’s no room for error at controlled aerodromes. In this article, we explore why a thorough departure briefing is time well spent.

Things that go wrong in the night

In this close call, a pilot learns that you should never hesitate to contact ATC – they’re here to help.

Article Fixed-wing

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Quizzes

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2026

Check your knowledge of flying at controlled aerodromes, including radio calls, clearances and separation procedures.

Quiz Fixed-wing

Helicopter pilot quiz 2026

Test your knowledge of flying in controlled airspace, including clearances and communication with ATC.

Quiz Rotary

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2025

Know what 'reading you three' means and the procedures for Special VFR? Put your controlled airspace knowledge to the test.

Quiz Fixed-wing

Helicopter pilot quiz 2025

Radio failure in Class C airspace? Know what to do. Check your knowledge of circuit procedures and more.

Quiz Rotary

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2024

Are you confident with readback requirements and ground signals? Test your controlled aerodrome knowledge.

Quiz Fixed-wing

Helicopter pilot quiz 2024

Confident flying in controlled airspace? Check your understanding of key procedures to keep building safe flying habits.

Quiz Rotary

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International resources

An infographic showing a pilot and an air traffic controller talking to each other over the radio

Readback Hearback

Improve your communication with ATC by using clear, accurate readbacks.

Infographic of a plane landing on a runway with a truck ahead of it, highlighted in red

Landing without ATC Clearance

Understand when a landing clearance is required and what to do if you do not receive one to help prevent runway conflicts.

PEDs can cause deadly distractions

Flying requires constant attention. The Rotorcraft Collective shares strategies for safely managing PEDs in flight.

Video Rotary

Callsign confusion

Find helpful tips on avoiding callsign confusion in flight on the SKYbrary website.

From the flight deck - Hazards and hot spots - human factors

Distractions on the runway

Human factors lessons from the FAA on a pilot causing a runway incursion from multitasking while taxiing.

Video Fixed-wing

See and avoid

Looking outside is critical for a safe flight. Recommendations from the FAA’s Rotorcraft Collective to prevent a mid-air collision.

Video Rotary

A closeup of the eyes of a man wearing glasses with a flight radar display superimposed on top of it

Looking without seeing

Inattentional blindness is not seeing what’s right in front of you. A New Zealand analysis of this deadly threat to aviation.

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Resources from our store

Safety resources for purchase or free download.

The 'Preventing airspace infringments' A5 AvSafety cards

Preventing airspace infringements

Quick tips to help you plan, navigate and stay clear of controlled airspace.

Store Fixed-wing Rotary