Pilot safety hub

Flight planning

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Pilot Safety Hub Flight Planning

Non-controlled operations

Weather and forecasting

Flight planning

Controlled aerodromes and operations

Explaining the rules – Operating at aircraft landing areas

Before using an aircraft landing area (ALA), there are details you need to consider, including the runway length and if approval from the owner is required.

Watch our explaining the rules animation for other factors to consider before you land at an ALA.

Graphic of an aircraft landing area

Videos

Pilot holding an electronic device

Electronic flight bags

Watch a recording of an AvSafety webinar on understanding electronic flight bags (EFBs) with a CASA Aviation Safety Advisor.

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Crash comic - Strange vibrations

Crash comic – Strange vibrations

A pilot learns the importance of precautionary searches at ALAs after encountering strange noises mid-flight.

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Fuel planning

Explaining the rules – Fuel planning

Take a look at our animated explainer for tips on meeting fuel requirements and preparing for a safe flight.

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Flight planning - Flight Safety Australia

Talking to the tower

Get expert flight planning advice straight from an air traffic controller in this Flight Safety Australia video.

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2 pilots at a desk looking at maps

Flight planning webinars

Insights from aviation experts on topics like wire strikes, reading NOTAMS, flying near drones and more.

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Airservices Australia

Airservices pilot safety shorts

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

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Four aviation experts sitting around a table

AvSafety investigation video - Fuel exhaustion

Our expert panellists analyse a collision resulting from improper fuel management near Dairy Creek, WA.

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Audio

A plane flying above the bush, the sky behind them smoky and yellow

It’s a health hazard

The smoke was so thick I lost sight of the ground and couldn’t see the horizon – I was in IMC!

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Flight planning fail cover image

Flight planning fail

A pilot learns the hard way during a close call flying in the dark without an NVFR rating. Discover the lesson learned.

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A white plane flying through a sky with wispy clouds above it

Planning for remote possibilities

A low-hours VFR pilot skirts his own safety margin in this audio close call.

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A white plane flying across a purple sky, with orange clouds behind it.

I didn't plan on that

In this audio close call, a pilot experiences fuel exhaustion and gets a timely lesson in flight planning.

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A grassy field with a mountain behind it and a sky full of fluffy white clouds above them

Twisting the blade

If something can go wrong, it will. A pilot learns a lesson in preparation after a rare but near-fatal fault.

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A small plane with water-like blue distortions over the top of it

Water, water everywhere

Knowing the difference between fuel and water could save your life. One pilot checks the colour, smell - even taste!

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Events and resources

NEW content status Image of an instrumental panel

Getting out of a jam

Real-world control failure incidents from the ATSB database, with practical tips to help you think ahead, respond, and regain control.

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Performance charts: believe what you see

Explore some of the myths and realities of aircraft performance charts and how to master them.

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Fixed wing pilot quiz

Challenge your knowledge

Do you know when an aircraft’s maintenance release and ELT must be carried? Test yourself – can you get 100%?

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Image of a runway

NOTAMs – not always the full story

Checking NOTAMs is essential for safe operations, but they may not tell the full story. Find out why a call can make a difference.

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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 plane about to landing

Wires – they’re out to get you

The Aerial Application Association of Australia shares tips to avoid wire strikes – one of the biggest risks of low flying.

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Helicopter pilot quiz

Test your knowledge

Are you confident about VFR fuel reserves and destination forecast validity? Challenge yourself to get 100%!

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Officials inspecting an aircraft

Decoding the maintenance release

Reading and understanding your aircraft’s maintenance release is essential. Brush up on the fundamentals.

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International resources

Image of a wire tower in a grass field

Fatigue: a saboteur of good decisions

Fatigue creates predictable risks and unpredictable outcomes. A NZ pilot shares an urgent message about its dangers.

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Helicopter hovering

FAA: feeling the pressure to fly

The Rotorcraft Collective shares their take on eliminating the pressure to fly – starting with self-reflection.

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Cartoon of 2 pilots in cockpit with 1 saying - unstable go around

SKYbrary: go-around

Each go-around has its own unique challenges. Explore tools from SKYbrary to help pilots make informed decisions.

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Person in cockpit of parked helicopter

EASA: off-site landings

Helicopter pilot, instructor and technician Mona Seeberger shares a series of videos on off-site helicopter landings.

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Competence or just confidence?

Competence or just confidence?

How to decide if your skills are good enough - a New Zealand flight instructor on flight reviews.

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56 seconds to live

56 seconds to live

See VFR into IMC through a helicopter pilot’s eyes, brought to you by the US Helicopter Safety Team.

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The seat of an airplane with a four-point safety harness installed

Passenger safety briefing

Often-overlooked essentials for every preflight passenger briefing, from the AOPA Air Safety Institute.

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Resources from our store

Safety resources for purchase or free download.
The cover of the Visual Flight Rules Guide

VFRG and Plain English Guides

Download our Visual Flight Rules and Plain English Guides to help you understand aviation rules and regulations.

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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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Don't fly near bushfires

Don’t fly near bushfires

A poster showing the minimum safe distance and other safety advice when flying or operating crewed aircraft near a bushfire.

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A graphic image of clouds full of gears, aeroplanes, and electronics

Human factors for pilots

This kit includes workbooks, videos and case studies to help you understand all aspects of human factors principles.

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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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The cover of the Radio Procedures in Non-Controlled Aerospace booklet

Radio procedures in non-controlled airspace

Brush up on radio calls including radio frequencies and when to broadcast in non-controlled aerodromes.

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Time in your tanks

Time in your tanks

A reusable card to help calculate the amount of fuel left in your tanks.

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The CASA flight planning kit

Flight planning kit

Designed for low-hours VFR pilots, this kit helps build planning habits with a flight book, notepad, and more.

Store
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Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//resources-and-education/pilot-safety-hub/flight-planning
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