Close calls

Close calls

Author: Civil Aviation Safety Authority Language: English Episodes: 59
Ever wondered what really happens in those moments when an aircraft's safety is on the line, but disaster is narrowly avoided? Close calls, presented by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of aviation safety from the regulator's perspective. This isn't about dramatizing incidents, but rather understanding them. Each episode delves into real scenarios and the critical lessons learned, offering a rare, authoritative look at the systems, decisions, and human factors that keep Australian skies safe. You'll hear from the experts who license pilots, register aircraft, and oversee the complex safety web that protects everyone who flies. Tune in for a compelling, educational journey into the principles and practices that turn a close call into a vital learning opportunity for the entire industry. This podcast serves as a unique resource, transforming complex regulatory work into accessible narratives that underscore why vigilance and continuous improvement are non-negotiable in aviation.
Episodes
Perfectly gauged response [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:20
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.co…
Don't stop now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:45
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.flightsafetyaust…
Tanks for nothing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:19
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 http…
Fast-thinking fledgling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:56
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.co…
Blundering through the authority gap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:15
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 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:23
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 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:37
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/.
A brutal hazing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:21
CASA Close Call - A Brutal Hazing by Civil Aviati…
Positive climb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:36
CASA Close Call - Positive Climb by Civil Aviatio…
Flight planning fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:12
Flight Planning Fail by Civil Aviation Safety Aut…

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