Non-controlled operations

Explaining the rules – Radio frequencies

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

Operating at aircraft landing areas

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

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.

Explaining the rules

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

Loss of control

Loss of control is the most significant cause of serious accidents for sports and recreational pilots. A 3-part video series on how to avoid it.

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

Podcast Fixed-wing Rotary

Silent scream

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

Audio Fixed-wing Rotary

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

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.

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

Test your knowledge

Confident you have the answers on cruising levels, radio calls, and conducting straight in approaches? See if you can get 100%! 

Quiz Fixed-wing

Can you get 100%?

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

Quiz Helicopter

Beyond the broadcast

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

Sharing the air

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

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.

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.

Article Rotary Fixed-wing

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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International resources

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’.

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.

Stabilised Approach and Landing in 57 Seconds

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

Article Rotary Fixed-wing

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.

Just say no

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

Video Rotary

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.

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.

Avoiding collisions in class G airspace

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

Publication Fixed-wing Rotary

Part 91 Plain English Guide

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

AvSafety cards

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

Store

Visual Flight Rules Guide and Plain English Guides

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

Pilot wellbeing poster

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