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

Crash comic – Playing the wrong card

Have you checked that your GPS or EFB is up to date?

See how out-of-date navigation data led a pilot to broadcast on the wrong frequency and nearly collide with another aircraft after take-off.

Crash comic - Playing the wrong card

Videos

A parachutist gliding through the air

Operating safely near parachute drop zones

Watch a recording of our webinar to learn more about operating safely near parachute drop zones.

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Image of an aircraft on a runway

Operating safely at non-controlled aerodromes

Watch a recording of our webinar to learn everything you need to know about 0perating safely at non-controlled aerodromes.

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AFRU and PAL systems

Explaining the rules - AFRU and PAL systems

See how these tools help to improve safety and situational awareness in our latest animation.

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Image of an aircraft flying at sunset

Planning and flying under Night VFR

Watch a recording of our webinar to learn everything you need to know about Night VFR.

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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 when.

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Animation of a runway

Explaining the rules - 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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AvSafety webinars - Awareness through education

AvSafety webinars

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.

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Crash comic flight planning - PSH

Crash comic

Short, animated stories sharing real pilot experiences and lessons learnt.

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Audio

NEW content status The shadow of an aeroplane on misty cloud

The silence over Kingaroy

A pilot receives no radio calls on approach and narrowly avoids another aircraft. Hear why active see-and-avoid remains vital in non-controlled…

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A plane shuddering as if it was stalling

Reality under pressure

A blocked static port led a new CPL pilot to misread airspeed, mistake stall symptoms for mountain waves, and nearly crash on landing.

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Animation of a helicopter

Silent scream

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

Audio Fixed-wing Rotary
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.

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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 his limitations and strengths.

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 hours of their career.

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Events and resources

NEW content status A small aeroplane on a runway

AvSafety webinar: Preventing runway excursions

Register for a webinar on identifying runway excursion risks and practical steps to manage them.

Webinar Fixed-wing
NEW content status Aerial view of an aerodrome

When the picture doesn't match the call

Can you build the right traffic picture? Learn how accurate radio calls and careful scanning help you stay safe at intersecting runways.

Article Fixed-wing
NEW content status An aeroplane flying towards the viewer

Was I the villain?

Radio silence and an unexpected aircraft leave a pilot searching for answers. Learn why checking frequencies and visual scanning matter.

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Image of an aircraft

Why predictable pilots make safer skies

An experienced pilot shares 5 tips for predictable flying – and explains why it’s key to staying safe.

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Beyond the broadcast - Pilot safety hub

Beyond the broadcast

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

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Image of a flight radar

Sharing the air

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

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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 fit to fly.

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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 use.

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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 expert.

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Quizzes

NEW content status Fixed-wing pilot quiz tile

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2026

Check your knowledge of flying at non-controlled aerodromes, including circuit procedures, radio broadcasts and operating rules.

Quiz Fixed-wing
NEW content status Helicopter pilot quiz tile

Helicopter pilot quiz 2026

Test your knowledge of helicopter operations at non-controlled aerodromes, including radio procedures, landing sites and operating rules.

Quiz Rotary
Fixed-wing pilot quiz

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2025

Confident in your radio calls, cruising levels and straight-in approaches? Take the quiz and aim for 100%.

Quiz Fixed-wing
Helicopter pilot quiz

Helicopter pilot quiz 2025

Test your knowledge of sequencing, right of way, radio calls and collision avoidance at non-controlled aerodromes.

Quiz Rotary
Fixed-wing pilot quiz

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2024

Know when survival gear is required and what to brief your passengers on? Put your safety knowledge to the test.

Quiz Fixed-wing
Helicopter pilot quiz

Helicopter pilot quiz 2024

Do you know your landing and departure procedures? Understand HLS types and test your knowledge with this quiz.

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International resources

NEW content status Aerial view of power lines

Flying in the unforgiving wire environment

Learn how you can recognise wire-strike hazards and reduce your risk with this FAA video for helicopter pilots.

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NEW content status The view of a runway from inside the cockpit of a small aircraft

How stable do you feel?

Find practical tips for flying a stable approach and knowing when to go around in this UK CAA safety resource.

Publication Fixed-wing
Image of an aircraft

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’.

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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 manoeuvre.

Video Fixed-wing
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 them.

Video Rotary
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.

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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.

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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 helicopters.

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.

Video Rotary
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Resources from our store

Safety resources for purchase or free download.
NEW content status Non-controlled aerodrome circuit procedures

Non-controlled aerodrome circuit procedures

Review recommended procedures to help you join the circuit and fly safely at non-controlled aerodromes.

Store Fixed-wing
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.

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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.

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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.

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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//resources-and-education/pilot-safety-hub/non-controlled-aerodromes
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