Unpleasant close encounters as a low-hours commercial licence fledgling taught this now experienced airline transport pilot some lasting lessons.Read this close call at: https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2024/07/head-on-a-swivel/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

A quick glance suggested everything would be okay – this was an expectations-driven illusion.Read this close call at: https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2024/07/bogged-down-in-assumptions/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

In Greek mythology, the sirens' seductive voices lured mariners to their deaths. In modern aviation, the siren is pilot fixation, as Luke Bayly was lucky enough to discover early in his training.By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

A recreational pilot's first flight after learning the basics of navigation unravels into an embarrassment that could have been a disaster.By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

The tiniest change of heading took this pilot out of his comfort zone.Read this close call at: https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2024/02/planning-for-remote-possibilities/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Callum Holland from the Future Safety and Innovation Team discusses the UK CAA’s proposed policy on unlocking beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations using an Atypical Air Environment. We hear how this could work in practice and how your views can help shape the final policy. You can share your views and learn more by visiting: Atypica…

Sticking to a rigid schedule when circumstances have changed is the opposite of safe flight planning.Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/12/i-didnt-plan-on-that/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

This newly minted instructor was jolted out of his complacency by an unexpected thunderstorm. Read the close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/01/they-say-it-never-strikes-twice/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

A first officer becomes a mere spectator to poor cockpit decision-making and feels the cold hand of fear. Read the close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/10/the-ice-bucket-challenge/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

He was heading straight for disaster with 2 passengers on board, when something clicked in. Hear how one pilot learnt his limitations and strengths. Read the close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/09/dog-legs-and-goat-tracks/.By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Most airports, airfields and spaceports have a flight restriction zone (FRZ) that applies to drones and unmanned aircraft. Tom Guest from the CAA RPAS team explains why these FRZs are in place and how they work. We also cover guidance for passengers who are travelling with a drone and what to be aware of when you’re at the airport. Aaron Bassett fr…

A glider pilot has just launched into the air in Southwest England and released from the winch when they see a Cessna flying below them. They take immediate action to avoid the aircraft and later file a report with the UK Airprox Board (UKAB). UKAB Director Simon Oldfield tells us more about this incident and the review that followed. We also speak…

Subtle psychological pressures and an unintentional signal almost killed this experienced flier in the first hours of their career. Read the close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/08/a-tumble-of-numbers/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

A private pilot reflects on an early flight and how they would do things differently now.https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/06/alice-through-the-looking-glass/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

A gliding incident is the culmination of factors, including ergonomics, maintenance and pilot action. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/06/decision-or-design/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

A paraglider pilot’s skills and drills are tested to the limit on her very first time in the air. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2021/07/maiden-flight/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

In May 2022, an Airbus A320 approaching Paris Charles de Gaulle airport was given an incorrect altimeter pressure setting, which caused the barometric altimeters on board to show that the aircraft was nearly 300 feet higher above the ground than it actually was. The crew were unaware of the problem and didn't see the runway because of bad weather. …

Weather affects short flights and long ones equally, as this pilot found out. I hadn’t ever been so glad to feel the earth beneath my wheels as I did when my aircraft touched the runway after this flight.Read this Close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/02/what-did-i-think-i-was-doing/…

Despite all good intentions, a pilot ends up in a nightmare situation. Self-analysis follows a lucky escape.Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/05/stuck-on-top/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

How do airports manage the risk of runway incursions? We talk to Heathrow Airport’s Head of Airside Operations Trevor Waldock about causal factors that can lead to an incursion and some of the safeguards that are in place to prevent them. You’ll hear about the safety guidance and procedures that are followed at airports and the importance of a ‘jus…

An aircraft has landed at a busy UK airport and taxied away from the runway. A tower controller asks the flight crew to hold position and the pilot reads the instruction back to confirm. The runway is clear and the controller is about to issue a landing clearance when they see that the aircraft is no longer holding its position. It is now infringin…

Having purchased a Piper Warrior, endorsements for manual propeller pitch control and retractable undercarriage were straightforward. The next issue that seemed worthwhile addressing was the deadline imposed on VFR pilots by last light. So I embarked on a night VFR endorsement. The darkness of regional Australia at night proves to be more than a ma…

The pilot of a light aircraft is accelerating down a runway in southern England when the plane starts moving to the left. Trying to avoid a runway excursion, he rotates the aircraft early and before reaching a safe flying speed. We speak with AAIB Senior Inspector Emma Truswell about this incident and the findings from their investigation. Also joi…

Some years ago, I was involved in an incident that nearly resulted in a mid-air collision. It happened in the vicinity of the Archerfield Southern Training Area during a training session that I was conducting in a Cessna 172...Read this Close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/03/too-close-for-comfort…

A former boss once warned me that 'an assumption is the basis of a screw-up'. While I've often repeated that maxim to others, it took 5 white-knuckle minutes to teach myself the wisdom of those words.Read this Close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/01/assumed-risk/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

In this episode we talk to Colin Chesterton from the CAA about our plans to roll out scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flying to operators flying in the specific category. Colin sets out our plans for this exciting change throughout 2023. You can find more information on scalable beyond visual line of sight operations at https://www.caa.…

In this unexpected and scary incident, the pilot reaches for something familiar to use in an unusual way.Read this Close Call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/11/belting-along/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Recent la Niña rainfall has amplified a longstanding aviation hazard, as Steve Blackie discovered.Read this Close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/11/water-water-everywhere/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Recreational pilot Luke Bayly discovers the reasons for the seemingly endless drills of his initial training.Read this Close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/09/when-efato-calls/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

An encounter with lenticular cloud literally shook this pilot out of complacencyRead this Close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/08/no-getting-over-it/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Reporting occurrences has never been more important and in this special edition we speak to the CAA's Head of flight Operations Glen Bradley and Aerospace Modernisation Lead Adelle Roberts about how and why we should continue to report occurrences. You can find more information on the Importance of occurrence reporting on the CAA website.…

Pressure drove this pilot towards an error, discipline allowed for a recovery.Read the full story at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/08/trim-set-mindset/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

On 2 April 2022 a light aircraft flying from England to France disappeared from radar over the English Channel. Tragically both of the pilots on board and the aircraft haven't been found. A few weeks later the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) published a Special Bulletin that set out the evidence that was available about this flight up unti…

Until 31 August the CAA is running a consultation on proposed acceptable means of compliance and guidance material for drone operations. We’re joined by Callum Holland from our remotely piloted aircraft systems team who helps explain what the consultation covers and how it affects drone users. You can access the consultation and send us your views …

A newly minted rating, a blandly confident low-hours pilot, time pressure and a desire to impress. What could possibly go wrong?Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/06/fear-for-lunch/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Earlier this year we ran a consultation around proposals to delay the introduction of classifications for legacy and traditional category drones. We received a fantastic level of responses from the drone community and in this episode Callum Holland from our RPAS team explains the conclusions we’ve now come to and our recommendation to Government fo…

A pilot flying at an incorrect level in a busy lane making garbled radio calls creates a wake of confusion and danger. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/05/taking-the-low-road/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

The CAA sponsored #shotonmydrone photo competition received over 800 entries and showcased the wide range of stunning images that can be captured with this technology. The competition included categories for 'Countryside', 'Urban day', 'Urban night' and 'Christmas'. You'll hear the winners share the stories behind their images, how they stay safe i…

A pilot listens to their nagging doubt, and makes a horrifying discovery. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2021/12/twisting-the-blade/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Rising terrain, worsening visibility and the smell of smoke in the cockpit. ’I couldn’t believe I’d found myself in this situation.’By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

How ‘marginal but do-able,’ turned into a sobering lesson for an eager pilot who was unaware of being subtly overconfident.By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

A mustering pilot experiences the longest five minutes of his life: ‘I was under no illusions. I knew the engine was going to seize.’By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Pilot Michael Ralph’s graphic retelling of an all-too-common VFR occurrence. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2019/07/his-story-almost-history/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

A pilot has to make quick decisions after the airspeed indicator fails. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2020/04/nothing-on-the-clock/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

A series of small decisions, none harmful in isolation created a terrifying situation by the end of the day. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2018/10/avoid-assumptions-without-confirmation/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

How heat and stress incubated a horrifying human error. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2018/07/valuable-lesson-learned/.By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

An aviation professional shudders to recall but draws lessons from an accident in his callow youth. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2018/05/past-the-point-of-no-return/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Skydivers are often asked why they'd want to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane, but what if it wasn't perfect? Read more at www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2018/02/fully-loaded-and-going-fast/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

I’ve held a VFR private pilot’s licence since 1988 and have around 1100 hours in command. Recently, I was involved in an incident, which could’ve ended in tragedy. Read more at http://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2017/07/the-hills-are-alive/By Civil Aviation Safety Authority

It’s the Easter weekend. The weather’s perfect, skies are clear and my mate Kevin and I are in the cockpit of my beloved Kitfox 3 ‘rag and tube’ light plane. We’re at 5000 ft and heading east for Kalgoorlie, 590 km away. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2017/05/easter-road-trip/.…