The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is a government body that regulates Australian aviation safety. We license pilots, register aircraft and oversee safety.
Episodes
When the curtain falls early
1 Nov 2026 · 6 min
When it comes to weather, trusting your eyes ahead of forecasts is advice that works. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Long day's journey into night VFR
5 Oct 2026 · 8 min
Circumstances, contingencies and pressure from a passenger push an otherwise conscientious low-hours pilot towards a dangerous decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The silence over Kingaroy
8 Jul 2026 · 8 min
What you can't hear can still hurt you, as this pilot was shocked to discover, despite due diligence. Only the 'mk1 eyeball' saved the day. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/07/the-silence-over-kingaroy/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mix up in the salad bowl
4 May 2026 · 5 min
Unchallenged assumptions about controlled airspace procedures put this pilot in a potentially very dangerous situation. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/05/mix-up-in-the-salad-bowl/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Perfectly gauged response
6 Apr 2026 · 5 min
A newly minted pilot faces their first in-flight emergency, with the added complication of it happening in tightly controlled airspace. Spoiler: it ended well. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/04/perfectly-gauged-response/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
Don't stop now
11 Feb 2026 · 8 min
We've all had them: those flights that challenge the plan from the moment the wheels leave the ground. That's when distraction and frustration open the door for error. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/12/dont-stop-now/.
Tanks for nothing
5 Feb 2026 · 7 min
The fundamentals of flight planning do not change, as this classic close call from 2008 demonstrates. A first flight in a new type was a fuel management challenge a young pilot nearly failed. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/12/tanks-for-nothing/.
Fast-thinking fledgling
2 Nov 2025 · 5 min
The textbook reactions of a low-hours pilot facing a deteriorating situation show how ab initio training works – if you listen and take its messages seriously. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/11/fast-thinking-fledging/.
Blundering through the authority gap
8 Oct 2025 · 7 min
Almost too late, a young pilot learns the importance of assertiveness as part of flight control. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/10/blundering-through-the-authority-gap/
Reality under pressure
26 Aug 2025 · 5 min
An insidious and subtle failure almost bring's a young commercial pilot's career to a premature end. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/08/reality-under-pressure/.
Silent scream
24 Jun 2025 · 5 min
Using your ears is a much less stressful way to maintain separation than relying on your eyes alone. Read this close call at: https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/062/silent-scream/.
Bogged down in assumptions
4 Jul 2024 · 6 min
A quick glance suggested everything would be okay…