Story From Flight Safety

[skippydiesel]

https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/06/was-i-the-villain/?utm_source=Swift Digital&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Flight Safety Australia

 

To me this is just another story that highlights just how bad Australian airspace radio communicated has become.

 

The pilot stated the thought he was on the correct CTAF frequency, ie not sure.

 

There was radio congestion which may have contributed to his not gaining a mental image/awareness of area aircraft movement .

 

I don't know how long it took for him to start his engine, conduct various preflight checks and start to move - all of which could mean the above metal picture, was out of date ie don't rely on the earlier information, remaining current.

 

He did make a taxi call √

 

No;

• Entertaining Runway / Lining UP
• Rolling
• Departing direction (circuit leg)
• Intentions  ( eg Direct to @ X,000 ft)
• POB

 

I know none of the above are required calls, at an uncontrolled airfield.

 

HOWEVER

 

If he had just made all, or some, he may have got a response from the inbound RPT/MediVac, that was on opposite straight in final,to his take-off direction.

 

Just because calls are not required, doesnt mean its not good practise to make them EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE HEARD NO OTHER CALLS.

 

The regulations relaxing the way we use the radio, in uncontrolled airspace, have gone way to far;

 

• Pilots  now don't make calls because they haven't heard from another aircraft - Other aircraft not making calls for the same reason.
• 10nM calls seem to have become the exception, rather than the Rule.
• Pilots think nothing of passing overhead or close to an  airfield, without so much as a Guday! let alone ID, position, altitude, intentions, POB.
• Departure calls are a rarity

 

Where has pilots pride in communication professionalism/courtesy, gone (& with it a marked reduction in safety)?

How many near misses/fatalities,will it take to get us back to a more functional/safe communication environment?

 

???

 

😈

[Garfly]

Good article.  Reminds me of the Port Augusta airprox and related ATSB report we looked at here:

 

 

BTW In Dubbo it seems like the daytime use of landing lights saved the day. 

 

[skippydiesel]

I am astonished that there is so little comment on the pilots story,  that likly comes down to his very poor communication practise.

 

This story & your silence, is a vote for the status quo -   the wofull state of pilot communication, that puts us all in danger.

 

I reticently had a very close shave with a "silent" Bankstown training aircraft in the circuit .

 

A friend died, some months back, when another silent training aircraft, with two experince GA pilots (both died) on board, entered our circuit unannounced & possably not on the CTAF.

 

Its almost an hourly (day) occurrence that aircraft overfly our field, without any acknowledgement and likly not listening on the CTAF.

 

Apathy Rules

 

😈

[BrendAn]

i would say in my small area that i fly in . gippsland, the radio communication is excellent.  understanding some calls can be difficult with some radios .

the xair included.