ATSB advises on non-towered aerodrome ops

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has issued a safety guide for pilots who operate in the vicinity of non-towered aerodromes.

The ATSB says it has issued the document as a reminder to pilots of their responsibilities and the precautions they need to observe around aerodromes which do not have air traffic control towers. Those responsibilities include maintaining awareness of nearby aircraft and maintaining separation.

“This report aims to provide pilots with an appreciation of the types of safety events that are associated with operations at non-towered aerodromes, and provide education on expected behaviours to assist pilots in being prepared for the risks,” the ATSB says.

“Generally, operations at non-towered aerodromes can be considered to be safe, but this relies on all pilots maintaining awareness of their surroundings and of other aircraft, and on flying in compliance with procedures, while being observant, courteous and cooperative.

A large number of the 709 airspace-related safety occurrences reported to the ATSB between 2003 and 2008 at, or in the vicinity of, non-towered aerodromes, involved conflicts between aircraft, or between aircraft and ground vehicles. The ATSB says many of these involved separation issues, ineffective communication between pilots operating in close proximity, the incorrect assessment of other aircraft’s positions and intentions, relying on the radio as a substitute for an effective visual lookout, or a failure to follow published procedures.

In tabling this report, the ATSB documented changes in the number of aircraft movements and changes in the traffic mix into 20 non-towered aerodromes since 2003. Aerodromes such as Port Macquarie, Kununurra, Ballina, and Mt. Gambier have recently experienced an increase in RPT aircraft movements, and for obvious reasons the ATSB believes significant growth such as this could introduce added risks to safety.

The ATSB non-towered aerodrome safety guide has been released as part of a more detailed and larger report into non-towered aerodrome operations. To read the safety guide click here. Or click here to download the detailed report in full.