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/

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 <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/01/assumed-risk/">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2023/01/assumed-risk/</a>

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is a government body that regulates Australian aviation safety. We license pilots, register aircraft and oversee safety.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is a government body that regulates Australian aviation safety. We license pilots, register aircraft and oversee safety.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is a governme…

Close calls

Audio close calls share real pilot stories of incidents and near misses, helping you understand what went wrong and the practical lessons you can use to fly more safely.

Audio close calls share real pilot stories of incidents and near misses, helping you understand what went wrong and the practical lessons you can use to fly more safely.

A former boss once warned me that 'an assumption …

Assumed risk

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/

Unchallenged assumptions about controlled airspace procedures put this pilot in a potentially very dangerous situation. Read this close call at <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/05/mix-up-in-the-salad-bowl/">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/05/mix-up-in-the-salad-bowl/</a>

Mix up in the salad bowl

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/.

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 <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/04/perfectly-gauged-response/">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2026/04/perfectly-gauged-response/</a>.

Perfectly gauged response

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/.

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 <a href="https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/?p=212700&amp;preview=true">https://www.flightsafetyaustralia.com/2025/12/dont-stop-now/</a>.

Assumed risk

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