Am I required to provide a flight notification?
If you plan to fly IFR, or VFR:
- in Class C or Class D airspace, or
- over water greater than the gliding distance to land, or
- within a designated remote area, or
- at night more than 120 nm
you must submit a flight notification.
Flight notification or flight plan?
These terms are used in different ways.
The regulations refer to flight notification requirements which means any one of the following:
- the submission of a flight plan (via NAIPS, phone or fax)
- the nomination of a SARTIME
- leaving a flight note.
Flying cross-country VFR in controlled airspace?
You plan a VFR cross-country flight which departs or arrives at a Class C or Dcontrol zone
Before departure, you file a flight plan through NAIPS
This provides your route, altitude and estimated times to air traffic services
It meets the requirementto file a flight planfor a VFRflight in Class C or D airspace
If you do not arrive as expected, these details also support search and rescue
Different ways to notify of your flight
A flight notification does not always mean filing a full flight plan.
‘A simple radio call advising your plan can meet your flight notification requirement,’ says Murray Collings, CASA Principal Standards Officer, Flight Operations.
You can provide your flight notification in several ways:
- filing a flight plan by fax or through NAIPS
- set a SARTIME with air traffic services
- leaving a flight note with a responsible person
- advising your flight details directly to ATC.
Each method means someone knows your plan.
Did you know?
If you plan to arrive or depart VFR at a Class C or D controlled aerodrome, you must meet the flight notification requirement.
When you provide air traffic services with details such as:
“[aircraft registration], [persons on board], Information [ATIS identifier], aircraft location and intentions when arriving, or airport location or taxiing when departing…
you are providing information that meets the flight notification requirement for a VFR flight in Class C or D airspace.
Making this radio call ensures you comply with the flight notification regulations.
‘Before you fly, ask one question, “Who knows about my flight?”,’ Murray says.
If you have shared your flight details, you are on the right track.
For some flights this means filing a flight plan.
For others, it may be as simple as advising the tower your abbreviated flight information.
That small step helps air traffic services support you, manage traffic safely and if things go wrong, someone else knows your plan.
Flying VFR outside of controlled airspace?
It’s simple – nominate a SARTIME to ATS on the area frequency.
But don’t forget to cancel it – set the alarm on your phone to remind you.
Resources for flight operations
Flight operations resources are a focus of CASA’s Your safety is in your hands campaign. For more guidance, tools and tips, be sure to visit pilot safety hub.
