Close calls

A private pilot reflects on an early flight and how they would do things differently now. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/06/alice-through-the-looking-glass/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 match for a city slicker’s night VFR rating. R...

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An encounter with lenticular cloud literally shook this pilot out of complacency Read this Close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2022/08/no-getting-over-it/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising terrain, worsening visibility and the smell of smoke in the cockpit. ’I couldn’t believe I’d found myself in this situation.’ Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2021/07/its-a-health-hazard/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How ‘marginal but do-able,’ turned into a sobering lesson for an eager pilot who was unaware of being subtly overconfident. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2020/11/clouded-thinking/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mustering pilot experiences the longest five minutes of his life: ‘I was under no illusions. I knew the engine was going to seize.’ Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2020/10/down-and-dirty/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How heat and stress incubated a horrifying human error. Read this close call at https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2018/07/valuable-lesson-learned/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.