Pilot safety hub

Weather and forecasting

Your safety is in your hands.
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Image of a pilot looking upwards towards the sky

Non-controlled operations

Weather and forecasting

Flight planning

Controlled aerodromes and operations

Crash comic – Not the change I expected

A forecast wind change didn't match what a pilot saw.

Learn how to check conditions and confirm traffic before joining the circuit.

Crash comic - Not the change I expected

Videos

A firefighting aeroplane dropping red fire retardant

Aviation safety in bushfire conditions

Watch a recording of our webinar and hear from a large air tanker aerial firefighting pilot on flying in bushfire conditions.

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An airplane flying, with thick white clouds in the background

Environmental factors affecting aircraft performance

Watch a recording of our webinar to understand aircraft performance charts and how they help you make sound decisions in all weather.

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Understanding thunderstorms

Explaining the rules – Understanding thunderstorms

Watch this animation to understand how thunderstorms develop, the hazards they pose to aircraft.

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Aerial view of a river in the Top End

2025 Wet season operations seminar

Learn how to plan and prepare for fast-changing weather during the wet season to make timely, informed decisions.

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Fit to fly

Explaining the rules – Fit to fly

Watch our animation to learn how using the IMSAFE checklist helps you assess your physical and mental fitness before every flight.

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A pilot sitting in the cockpit of an aircraft on the ground, planning a flight on their electronic flight bag

Destination and alternate airfield planning

Watch a recording of our webinar to see how planning helps you stay safe when weather or other factors change your flight path.

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Explaining the rules

Explaining the rules

Quick animations explaining the rules.

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Crash comic

Crash comic

Short animated stories showing real pilot experiences.

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AvSafety webinars - Awareness through education

AvSafety webinars

Webinars with aviation experts sharing practical tips to help you plan for changing weather and stay safe in the air.

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Audio

NEW content status An aeroplane flying with the sun setting behind it

Long days journey into night VFR

Weather and delays tested a pilot's limits. Learn when to reassess your plan.

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A dark thunderstorm cloud with a bolt of lightning. Next to it, a hand holding a piece of chalk has crossed out "Plan A" and written "Plan B"

Fast-thinking fledging

A low-hours pilot used their training to divert early and land safely when an unexpected thunderstorm formed ahead.

Article Fixed-wing
A plane hanging on marionette strings tied around the fingers of two hands above it

Blundering through the authority gap

Almost too late, a young pilot learns the importance of assertiveness as part of flight control.

Audio Fixed-wing
A plane flying over water with clouds in the distance

Earth, wind and water

Heavy showers, low ceilings, and reduced visibility lead this new CPL to expect the unexpected.

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A beach with an image of frost overlaying the sky

Tropical chill

Carburettor icing conditions don’t always align with cold weather on the ground, as one pilot learnt in this close call.

Audio Fixed-wing
A blurry plane landing with a reflection on the water underneath it

Bogged down in assumptions

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

Audio Fixed-wing
A dark, wispy cloud hangs in the sky

Clouded thinking

'…cloud was fast approaching. 'What are you doing?' I asked. He replied, 'I don’t know.' Two low hour pilots drift into danger.

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Events and resources

NEW content status Two pilots in high-visibility vests stand beside a light aircraft on a wet tarmac, looking towards approaching dark clouds.

Weather decisions: keep your options open

Learn how to build a weather picture early and make safer decisions before you fly.

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Light aircraft with headlights on sits on a wet runway at night in rain.

Phone a friend: understanding local weather

When local weather looks uncertain, pilots can speak directly with a forecaster for extra insight before they fly.

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A woman wearing a high visibility vest looks out across an airport with an aeroplane parked behind her

Bureau of Meteorology knowledge centre

Understanding the weather forecast is key to safe flying. Learn about GAFs, TAFs, wind charts, and more.

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Man wearing headset flying a small aircraft over dry outback terrain.

Flying safely in summer

Hot weather affects aircraft performance and pilot wellbeing. Get practical tips to manage density altitude, fatigue, and keep your cockpit cool.

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A plane sitting on a taxiway at night

Cold fronts: preparation and awareness

Cold fronts present unique challenges. An experienced pilot shares tips for navigating them safely.

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A graphic of firefighting aircraft flying around a bushfire

Smoke is no joke

The atmospheric effects of bushfires are a distinct aviation hazard. Learn from pilots who have experienced smoke haze.

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A windsock on an aerodrome

Gone with the wind

Learn how seasoned pilots recognise, avoid and manage the effects of wind shear.

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Dark grey clouds covering the sky

Caught in the clouds

Learn how thorough flight planning can help pilots avoid the trap of VFR into IMC.

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Quizzes

NEW content status Fixed wing pilot quiz

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2026

Test your knowledge of weather planning, forecasting and in-flight decision-making.

Quiz Fixed-wing
NEW content status Helicopter pilot quiz

Helicopter pilot quiz 2026

Test your knowledge of weather hazards, visibility and when to change your plan.

Quiz Rotary
Fixed wing pilot quiz

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2025

Check your understanding of weather topics such as TAFs, VMC in controlled airspace, icing conditions and alternate minima with our pilot quiz.

Quiz Fixed-wing
Helicopter pilot quiz

Helicopter pilot quiz 2025

Check your understanding of forecast requirements, wind behaviour, power management and fog formation with our pilot quiz.

Quiz Rotary
Fixed wing pilot quiz

Fixed-wing pilot quiz 2024

Confident reading weather forecasts? Know when to expect rime ice? Test your skills and aim for a perfect score.

Quiz Fixed-wing
Helicopter pilot quiz

Helicopter pilot quiz 2024

How well do you understand VMC criteria and fog risks? Build your weather knowledge with this pilot quiz.

Quiz Rotary
Pilot quiz

Pilot quiz 2023

Know how to read a GAF? What do TEMPO, SIGMET and GPWT mean? Test your forecast knowledge and sharpen your skills.

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International resources

NEW content status A runway with a wet surface

Aquaplaning

Learn how to recognise aquaplaning risks and maintain control on wet runways with guidance from SKYbrary.

Article Fixed-wing
NEW content status A graphic of an aeroplane flying over two mountains

Mountain flying safety

Learn how to recognise mountain weather hazards and maintain safe margins with guidance from the UK CAA.

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Outline of a human figure, with the bottom 60% shaded, with a label "60% water"

How does being hot and thirsty affect my flying?

Drink water early to stay ahead of dehydration and keep your energy and focus sharp.

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A diagram of four different routes through a map showing the intensity of thunderstorm cells

Weather Radar: Storm Avoidance

Plan and keep well away from thunderstorm clouds by choosing clear, safer paths.

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SKYbrary: Volcanic ash

SKYbrary: Volcanic ash

Flight into a volcanic ash cloud is considered unsafe and should be avoided. Find out more.

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A graphic of aeroplane flying towards a runway to land, with a downburst between them

Wind shear: an invisible enemy to pilots?

Wind shear can be serious. Learn about detection, avoidance, and recovery in this Airbus article.

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A helicopter flying through a cloudy sky

56 Seconds to Live

Experience VFR into IMC from the perspective of a helicopter pilot in this video produced by the US Helicopter Safety Team.

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A graphic showing the area of wake turbulence behind one aeroplane hitting another aeroplane behind it

SKYclip: En-route Wake Turbulence

Wake turbulence is a concern not just during climb and approach but also en-route.

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Accident case study: Hazardous Attitudes

Hazardous attitudes case study

In this video from the AOPA Air Safety Institute, we learn how hazardous attitudes can betray pilots.

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Resources from our store

Safety resources for purchase or free download.
NEW content status The cover and reverse side of the standing personal minimums checklist

Standing personal minimums checklist

Set personal weather and flight planning limits before you fly with this practical checklist.

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A picture of a cloud beneath steadily-less-transparent strips of blue color

Weather booklet

A handy booklet with aviation reference material from the Bureau on GAF, TAF, METAR, SPECI, AIRMET, and SIGMET.

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Six weather posters arranged in a grid pattern

Weather posters

Our weather posters highlight key weather risks, from avoiding cloud to carrying enough fuel for unexpected delays and more.

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The cover of the Visual Flight Rules Guide

Visual Flight Rules Guide

The VFRG explains visual flight rules in plain English and uses practical examples to help pilots prepare, plan, and fly safely.

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Part 61 guide for helicopter category flight crew licensing plain English guide

Part 61 guide for helicopter pilots

A new Plain English guide for helicopter pilots, trainers, aerial work, and air transport operators.

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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 cover of an AvSafety card about flying into bad weather

AvSafety card – Flying into bad weather

An educational card with information on identifying and avoiding the red flags of poor weather.

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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.

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Carburettor icing chart

Carburettor icing probability chart

Essential for every pilot’s flight bag. Keep track of your risk of carby icing using this probability and fact chart.

Store Fixed-wing
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Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//resources-and-education/pilot-safety-hub/weather-and-forecasting
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