Maintaining awareness of other aircraft remains an ongoing challenge for gliding operations.
Participants noted that gliders increasingly share airspace with:
- training aircraft
- helicopters
- Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic
- recreational aircraft
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).
Differences in aircraft performance can make it more difficult to manage traffic and increase the need for effective communication and visual lookout.
The workshop also discussed IFR training and proficiency flights at aerodromes with active gliding operations. Participants noted that pilots conducting instrument procedures may spend more time focused on cockpit tasks, reducing their ability to look outside for other aircraft.
We found technologies that help pilots identify nearby aircraft as providing important safety benefits. However, their effectiveness depends:
- on how widely people use them
- whether different systems can work together
- on pilots understanding how to use them and their limitations.
We found opportunities to improve safety by increasing the use of these technologies and improving system compatibility.
What you can do
You can reduce risk by:
- having clear procedures for managing traffic
- focusing on visual lookout during training
- regularly reviewing local traffic hazards.
What we have done
We continue to support education and awareness activities to improve safety at non-controlled aerodromes and help pilots understand how to safely operate in shared and busy airspace. This includes working with industry through safety campaigns, workshops, guidance material and forums to promote safe operating practices.
We also work with industry on new technologies that can improve pilots’ awareness of nearby aircraft and help reduce risk.
We use occurrence reports, surveillance findings and feedback from industry to find emerging safety issues, trends and areas that may need further attention.
We also keep safety guidance material up to date, so pilots and operators have current information that reflects how operations are changing.
We’ve also worked with other safety agencies to support the Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS-B) Broadcast Rebate Program. It encourages VFR aircraft owners to install ADS-B equipment. This will improve safety and efficiency for Australian airspace users. The program runs through until mid-2027.