A number of aspects of the airspace you are flying through may have changed since you last operated in it, including airspace design or changes to man-made visual reference features.

Ensure you are familiar with the current procedures, as well as the kind and frequency of airspace activity in the airspace.

Familiarity with the airspace can help you to prepare for potential safety issues that you might incur during your planned route as well as potential unplanned diversions.

Access the latest charts, through the AIP, and other safety promotion content supplied by other services, for example:

• Stay onTrack Series | CASA
• Visual Pilot Guides (VPG) | CASA

As above, familiarity with the airspace activity you may potentially encounter along your planned flight route can help you to prepare for potential safety issues that you might incur.

For example, many Metro D areas are hubs for training or other recreational operations that could potentially precipitate instruction to go-around.

Planning for potential scenarios in your pre-flight planning may support you to carry out any unplanned operations more safely.

Access the latest charts through ERSA and the DAPs in the AIP as well as other safety promotion content, for example:

Airservices’ ‘Tips for Flying’ suite on the Runway Safety page.

Using standard radio calls or readbacks ensures ATC understands your intentions and confirms that you have understood instructions.

Maintain a listening watch on the radio by ensuring:

• you are on the correct frequency (available through the VTCs via the AIP)
• your radio is working
• the volume is turned up.

Standard phraseologies are outlined in the AIP Book, General, GEN 3.4 - 24, 6.

Changes to airspace can occur at short notice for a number of reasons including:

• changes in status of restricted airspace
• wildlife or weather hazards
• damage to infrastructure.

As a pilot, checking NOTAMS is an essential part in your pre-flight planning routine.

You can access NOTAMs, restricted areas and weather information through NAIPS Internet Service (NIS), which includes an easy-to-read display of current restricted area status. (Please note that this tool only shows the status of restricted areas: military CTR/CTA are not included.)

Ensure you check for NOTAMS for all airspaces and aerodromes you will be operating through.

Refer to AIP ENR 1.10-3 to find out the requirement for submitting flight notification and submit your flight notification accordingly. However, regardless if your flight is required for submitting a flight notification, it is always quicker for ATC to access your flight details if you have submitted one.