Pilot safety hub

Non-controlled operations

Your safety is in your hands.
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Image of various aircraft landing and taking off on a runway

Non-controlled operations

Weather and forecasting

Flight planning

Controlled aerodromes and operations

Test your knowledge

Do you know the rules for straight in approaches and right of way at non-controlled aerodromes? What about the recommended calls to make on arrival?

If you’re confident in your understanding of key procedures like cruising levels and joining the circuit, take our quiz. Challenge yourself to get 100%!

Fixed wing quiz - Pilot safety hub

Videos

NEW content status Graphic showing a cockpit

Explaining the rules – Radio frequencies

Choosing the right radio frequency is critical for maintaining situational awareness. Learn which frequencies to use…

Video Fixed-wing Rotary
NEW content status Animation of a runway

Operating at aircraft landing areas

Watch our Explaining the rules animation for factors to consider before using an aircraft landing area.

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A series of gliders lined up in a row at an airport

AvSafety webinars – non-controlled operations

Catch up on our webinars on non-controlled operations, with insights from Safety Advisors and industry experts.

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Explaining the rules

Explaining the rules

Quick animations explaining the rules. Check out the non-controlled topics – radio calls and right-of-way rules.

Video Fixed-wing Rotary
Recreational Aviation Australia - Loss of control series

Loss of control

Loss of control is the most significant cause of serious accidents for sports and recreational pilots. A 3-part video…

Video Fixed-wing
A yellow and blue plane with power transmission lines in the foreground

One strike and you're out

Wire strikes rarely offer second chances. Knowledge, planning, and caution are your best defences.

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Audio

NEW content status Animation of a helicopter

Silent scream

A helicopter pilot learns the importance of practising alerted see-and-avoid and double checking your radio frequency.

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A plane flying through the air

Head on a swivel

In this close call, a pilot recounts near misses from early in his career that shaped his approach to safety.

Audio Fixed-wing Rotary
FSA feature - bogged down

Bogged down in assumptions

Complacency, assumptions, and waterlogged soil brought this pilot down in this close call.

Audio Fixed-wing
An aerial view of a dirt runway in the middle of the bush

Dog legs and goat tracks

He was heading straight for disaster with 2 passengers on board, when something clicked in. Hear how one pilot learnt…

Audio Fixed-wing
A red-and-white plane flies through the air with bushland and a river visible behind them

A tumble of numbers

Hear how subtle psychological pressures and an unintentional signal almost killed this experienced flier in the first…

Audio Fixed-wing
A female pilot setting the radio of a small airplane

AvSafety podcast – circuit and radio operations

Hear an insider’s view of the challenges, risks and techniques for operating safely at non-controlled aerodromes

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Events and resources

NEW content status Fixed-wing pilot quiz

Test your knowledge

Confident you have the answers on cruising levels, radio calls, and conducting straight in approaches? See if you can…

Quiz Fixed-wing
NEW content status Helicopter pilot quiz

Can you get 100%?

Test your knowledge on topics like collision avoidance and aircraft sequencing, right-of-way and position reports.

Quiz Helicopter
NEW content status Beyond the broadcast - Pilot safety hub

Beyond the broadcast

Insights from recent ATSB investigations to help you avoid conflict at non-controlled aerodromes.

Article Fixed-wing Rotary
NEW content status Image of a flight radar

Sharing the air

Practical guidance on preparation, traffic management awareness, and communication when sharing the air at busy…

Article Fixed-wing Rotary
NEW content status Image of a helicopter in the sky

Without warning – pilot incapacitation

Fatal pilot incapacitation is sudden, but only very rarely without warning. Here are the signs to look out for to stay…

Article Fixed-wing Rotary
NEW content status Behind the shoulder image showing a pilot in the cockpit

Dial before you drop in

Before flying into a private airstrip, it’s important to refresh your knowledge on the key factors to consider before…

Article Fixed-wing Rotary
A firefighting aeroplane dropping a load of water onto the edge of a bushfire

Leave it to the professionals

Risky when things go right and dangerous when they don’t – that’s why there are rules for flying low. Tips from an…

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International resources

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Findings on mid-air collisions in uncontrolled airspace

New research from CAA NZ on why experience is no protection from the risk of a ‘mid-air’.

Article Fixed-wing Rotary
NEW content status Animation displaying an aircraft and an aircraft landing area

Go-arounds explained

In their ‘Cleared for clarity’ series, the FAA explain why go-arounds are an important, potentially life-saving…

Video Fixed-wing
NEW content status Black and white image of a biplane preparing to land

Don’t forget to see and avoid other aircraft

The FAA’s Rotorcraft Collective share why most collisions between 2 aircraft are preventable, and how you can avoid…

Video Rotary
NEW content status Animation displaying the various types of aircraft belts

Fix your seatbelt low and tight

The CAA NZ reflect on findings from the Sea World collision in 2023, and why the issue echoes globally.

Article Fixed-wing Rotary
An aeroplane coming in for a landing

Stabilised Approach and Landing in 57 Seconds

From the FAA: Maintaining a stabilised approach helps prevent loss of control during landing.

Video Fixed-wing Rotary
A diagram of the area to avoid around a taxing helicopter's path

Beware the slowly taxiing helicopter

A heads-up from the CAA to light aircraft pilots - it can take minutes for the air to settle in the wake of some…

Article Rotary Fixed-wing
Just say no

Just say no

The FAA Rotorcraft Collective on the most decisive but under-used word in the pilot’s vocabulary.

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Front of a light plan propellor parked on some dirt.

Rule breakers and accidents

NZ data reveals that pilots who repeatedly break the rules are more likely to have serious incidents and accidents.

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Resources from our store

Safety resources for purchase or free download.
NEW content status The cover of the Radio Procedures in Non-Controlled Aerospace booklet

Radio procedures in non-controlled airspace

The latest on radio calls, frequencies, and when to broadcast at non-controlled aerodromes.

Store Fixed-wing Rotary
NEW content status Avoiding collisions folding card

Avoiding collisions in class G airspace

Learn more about pre-flight and enroute reminders to help you avoid collisions in class G airspace.

Store Fixed-wing Rotary
NEW content status Cover of the Part 91 plain English guide

Part 91 Plain English Guide

Our Plain English guide makes it easy to understand the new general operating and flight regulations for all pilots.

Publication Fixed-wing Rotary
The title pages of many AvSafety cards

AvSafety cards

Enhance your knowledge of crucial safety topics with our popular A5 AvSafety cards—now available for free download.

Store
Cover of the Visual Flight Rules Guide

Visual Flight Rules Guide and Plain English Guides

Download our Visual Flight Rules and Plain English Guides to make aviation rules easier to understand.

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Your aircraft is ready, are you?

Pilot wellbeing poster

You are the most important pre-flight check. Visit the online store to order informative pilot safety posters.

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Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//index.php/resources-and-education/pilot-safety-hub/non-controlled-aerodromes
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